10 Miss. Code. R. 201-3.4 - Unaccredited Institutions and Entities
A. Distance education providers must be accredited and in good standing with an accrediting agency that is approved by the United States Department of Education (USDE).
B. No unaccredited institution/entity or institution/entity accredited by an unapproved USDE accrediting agency may offer distance education in Mississippi or to Mississippi residents for academic credit or a degree.
Notes
State regulations are updated quarterly; we currently have two versions available. Below is a comparison between our most recent version and the prior quarterly release. More comparison features will be added as we have more versions to compare.
Out-of-state academic degree-granting postsecondary educational institutions that offer courses and programs exclusively online from their locations outside the borders of the State are required to apply for Commission approval. These institutions must submit the following information to the Commission:
a. A self-assessment letter signed by the chief executive officer or the chief academic officer stipulating the institution does not engage in any activities in the State that trigger presence;
b. Documentation demonstrating the institution is operating lawfully in its home state;
c. Documentation of institutional accreditation, and licensure and approval by Commission recognized accrediting agencies, state licensing and/or approval boards, and federal agencies;
d. Documentation evidencing an established, easily accessible, clearly articulated, and comprehensive process for the resolution of student complaints/grievances;
e. Documentation of fair and equitable cancellation and withdrawal policies, and tuition refund policies and processes;
f. Information about Mississippi residents enrolled in its online program(s);
g. List all programs/courses you plan to offer including the implementation date;
h. Documentation that the institution has approval from the appropriate state licensing and/or approval board or agency responsible for professional requirements, if the institution is seeking approval to offer courses, field placements, or programs potentially leading to professional licensure or certification or related to pre- or post-licensure educational activities. The institution is responsible for contacting the applicable Mississippi state licensing boards and/or approval agencies directly regarding those boards/agencies' particular requirements, if any.
i. Documentation of the process which establishes that the student who registers in a distance education program or course is the same student participating in completing the program or course and receiving academic credit. The institution meets this requirement if (a) student uses a secure login and passcode, or (b) the institution schedules proctored exams, or (c) the institution uses new technologies and practices that verify the student's identity during testing. Unless otherwise provided, all institution policies and guidelines for on and off campus instruction apply to distance education.
j. List all states the institution is operating in;
k. Documentation of financial resources and stability;
l. Disclosure of any former names of the institution with the dates each former name was used;
m. Documentation of catastrophic events policy and disaster recovery plans and procedures. They should cover emergencies and conditions such as natural disasters, cyber threats, pandemic, or other health-related closures; and explanation of how the institution will assure that students who are affected by such closures will receive the services for which they have paid or reasonable financial compensation for those not received, as well as adequate processes for protection, management, and maintenance of student records in the event of a closure;
n. Other information, documentation, and reports as requested by the Commission.
Institutions must provide annual reports and submit the initial/annual renewal fee.