Board Authorizes Radiologic Sciences Doctorate Proposal
Texas Tech University System regents approved progression of a proposed doctoral program at Midwestern State University Texas.
Updated on Nov. 11, 2026 in Distance Learning
The Texas Tech University System Board of Regents authorized progression of a proposed Doctor of Philosophy in Radiologic Sciences at Midwestern State University Texas during its regular meeting on November 11. If approved, the program would be the first discipline-specific doctoral degree in radiologic sciences in the United States.
Why it matters
The proposal must still clear the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and receive acknowledgement from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges before it can move forward. The program would also create local collaboration opportunities with United Regional.
The proposed doctorate would be delivered in a hybrid format and designed for completion in three years, with a four-year option if required. Both state and accreditation approvals remain outstanding before enrollment could begin.
The players
Texas Tech University System Board of Regents
The governing body overseeing the Texas Tech University System, which includes Midwestern State University Texas, and responsible for approving academic program proposals in the system.
Midwestern State University Texas
A public university in Wichita Falls, Texas, that is part of the Texas Tech University System and is proposing the new doctoral program.
Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
The state agency that coordinates higher education policy and must approve new doctoral degree programs at public institutions in Texas.
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
The regional accrediting body for degree-granting institutions in the southern United States, which must acknowledge the proposed program.
The details
The Board of Regents authorized progression of the proposal during its November 11 meeting. The proposal will be submitted to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board for approval and to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges for acknowledgement.
Timeline
• November 11, 2026: Board of Regents authorized progression of the proposed radiologic sciences doctorate.
Legal Context
Doctoral programs at Texas public universities must clear review by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board before launch, a step that applies to every new degree regardless of discipline. The Midwestern State proposal is moving through that same statewide pathway while seeking a first-of-its-kind national credential.
Prospective radiologic sciences students should watch for state and accreditation decisions, since enrollment cannot begin until both are complete. The three-year hybrid format with a four-year option could affect how working professionals plan their schedules if the program is approved.
The takeaway
A discipline-specific doctorate in radiologic sciences would be a national first if approved, making the outcome of the state and accreditation reviews worth tracking. Readers interested in hybrid graduate options can follow how the proposal advances through the coming approval stages.
Further reading
Explore more distance learning coverage tied to Wichita Falls education.
