10 Miss. Code. R. 201-3.7 - Authorization for Non-SARA Distance Education Programs
A. Out-of-state academic degree-granting postsecondary educational institutions or any other entities that offer courses and/or programs via distance education from their locations outside the borders of Mississippi are required to apply for Commission approval.
B. The Commission will not consider a college or university or any other entity that in the two (2) years preceding submission of an application, has had its accreditation suspended or withdrawn or has been prohibited from operating in another state or that has substantially the same owners, governing board, or principal officers as a college, university, or any other entity.
C. Institutions or any other entities must submit the initial application, supporting documentation, and fees. Institutions or any other entities shall submit the initial application, supporting documentation, and fees. Applicants must submit a written request for an application.
D. Institutions or any other entities must provide the annual report application, supporting documentation, and fees. Applicants must submit a written request for an application.
E. If an institution or entity requires approval from another Mississippi agency, the institution or entity shall provide documentation of the approval to the Commission.
F. The Commission may request additional information needed to make a determination regarding an application. If any section of any application is deemed insufficient or inappropriate, the applicant shall receive written notification after the Commission meets.
G. At the discretion of the Commission, if an application is denied, the institution or entity may appeal or reapply during the following annual reporting period or later.
H. The Commission may consider initial and/or annual report applications at its annual meeting.
Notes
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A. Authorized (Approved)
Institution is in compliance with Commission standards, rules and regulations, procedures, provisions, and policies including accreditation in good standing by a Commission-recognized accrediting body. If approved, the institution must among other requirements:
a. Submit an annual report by the deadline specified in the notification letter, including reports of enrollment and graduation, documentation of financial resources and stability, and other information and documentation as may be requested by the Commission. The Commission may require more frequent reports and information;
b. Maintain accreditation by a Commission-recognized accrediting body and, where available, professional/programmatic accreditation;
c. Submit copies of communication from state, federal, and accrediting agencies concerning official action, sanctions, notices;
d. Commission staff and the Commission and/or a Commission-appointed evaluation team may conduct announced or unannounced visits to the institution if deemed necessary by the Commission and shall visit the institution along with any Commission-recognized accrediting agency during each of its site visits to the institution. All reasonable and necessary expenses for official travel incurred by the Commission and evaluation team on announced visits will be paid or reimbursed by the institution according to the laws of the State of Mississippi, including lowest unrestricted public carrier fair or personal vehicle mileage at the State rate, actual meal costs not to exceed maximum daily expenditure limits, and lodging. The size of the team shall be determined in relation to the nature, size, and complexity of the institution being evaluated. Each team will be accompanied by the Commission chair and/or his/her designee who will serve as the team chair unless otherwise designated by the Commission chair. Unannounced visits will not be the expense of the institution.
B. Conditional Approval
Accredited Institution- Conditional approval may be granted to an in-state institution or an institution that is located outside Mississippi which is accredited by a Commission-recognized accrediting agency when the institution is substantially in compliance with Commission regulations and is continuously making satisfactory progress to full compliance.
Unaccredited Institution- Conditional approval may be granted to an unaccredited institution that has been in operation less than five (5) years. The Commission will evaluate the extent of the institution's compliance with 4.5 (Financial Resources and Stability), 4.10 (Faculty Qualifications), 4.11 (Faculty Size), 4.12 (Curriculum), and the institution's potential for achieving full compliance including accreditation by a Commission-recognized accrediting agency.
Conditional approval may be granted for a period of one year, not to exceed three (3) years. If conditional approval is granted, the institution must:
a. Demonstrate and document that it is currently accredited or is continuously seeking and making satisfactory progress to full compliance with Commission standards, rules and regulations, provisions, policies, and procedures including accreditation by a Commission-recognized accrediting body;
b. If accredited, maintain accreditation by a Commission-recognized accrediting body and, where available, professional/programmatic accreditation;
c. If not accredited, submit the institution's plan and timeline for achieving accreditation by a Commission-recognized accrediting agency;
d. Submit an annual report by the deadline specified in the notification letter, including reports of enrollment (or projections) and graduation, documentation of financial resources, roster of qualified faculty including position descriptions and resumes and other information and documentation as may be required by the Commission. The Commission may require more frequent reports and information;
e. Submit copies of communication from state, federal, and accrediting agencies concerning official action, sanctions, notices;
f. Commission staff and the Commission and/or a Commission-appointed evaluation team may conduct announced or unannounced visits to the institution if deemed necessary by the Commission and shall visit the institution along with any Commission-recognized accrediting agency during each of its site visits to the institution. All reasonable and necessary expenses for official travel incurred by the Commission and evaluation team on announced visits will be paid or reimbursed by the institution according to the laws of the State of Mississippi, including lowest unrestricted public carrier fair or personal vehicle mileage at the State rate, actual meal costs not to exceed maximum daily expenditure limits, and lodging. The size of the team shall be determined in relation to the nature, size, and complexity of the institution being evaluated. Each team will be accompanied by the Commission chair and/or his/her designee who will serve as the team chair unless otherwise designated by the Commission chair. Unannounced visits will not be the expense of the institution.
g. Failure to satisfy the provisions within the specified timeframe will result in:
i. Revocation of conditional approval, or
ii. Upon the institution's written request and supporting justification and documentation, conditional approval may be extended each year up to three years at the Commission's discretion if it determines that the institution is making a good faith effort to fully comply with Commission regulations.