The purpose and effect of the rule change is to align the rule with changes made in the 2011 Legislative Session to Section 1007.33, Florida Statutes, which eliminates the opportunity for Florida College System institutions to apply for exemption status from the State Board of Education approval process for new baccalaureate programs. The proposed rule amendment will also clarify ambiguous language within the current rule and specify certain parameters and requirements in the baccalaureate program approval process, including the addition or modification of baccalaureate degree concentrations. Additionally, the rule amendment will limit the permissible time elapsed between a college’s submission of a letter of intent and the submission of the initial proposal to the Division of Florida Colleges for a new baccalaureate program.