Commissioner Raymond Paredes was to meet with the Institute for Creation Research to discuss the degree, the Austin (Texas) American-Statesman reported.

The institute, in Dallas, said that most of the students in the program would be planning to teach in Christian schools. Patricia Nason, who heads the institute's science education department, said that the planned curriculum includes evolution and those who earn the master's degree would be qualified to teach in public schools.

The program is open only to students who believe that God created the universe in six days and that those who deny Jesus Christ face eternal damnation, the newspaper said. Adultery, homosexuality and fornication are banned.

"We're going to take a look at those issues," Paredes told the Morning News. "We're inviting representatives of ICR to respond to those kinds of questions."