9 Miss. Code. R. § 7-2-2.17 - INSTATE ON-LINE/DISTANCE EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

The Commission on Proprietary Schools and College registration adopts the definition of distance education and correspondence education by the United States Department of Education (USDE) as authorized by the Higher Education Act of 2008.

A. Definitions

a. Distance education is education that uses one or more of the following technologies in providing educational content to students:

i. The Internet; or

ii. One-way/two/way transmissions through open broadcast, cable microwave, broadband lines, fiber optics, satellite or wireless communication devices, audio conferencing; or

iii. Video cassettes, DVDs, CD-ROMs, or other media used in conjunction with any of the above technologies.

b. Correspondence education is:

i. Education provided through the mail or electronic transmission where interaction is limited between the student and instructor.

ii. Correspondence courses are typically self-paced.

Institutions based in the State of Mississippi that offer instruction over the internet, either synchronous or asynchronous, is determined to need a Certificate of Registration issued by the Commission to offer postsecondary instruction in the State if they engage in at least one of the following activities:

a. The institution uses a Learning Management System to deliver educational content and grades, or

b. The institution offers a minimum of 80% of its educational content online via the internet.

B. Student Verification

Institutions offering distance education shall have a process in place that establishes that the student who registers in a distance education program/course is the same student participating in and completing the course/program and receiving academic credit. The school meets the requirement if:

a. Student uses a secure login and passcode; or

b. School schedules proctored exams; or

c. School uses new technologies and practices that verify the student's identity during testing.

Notes

9 Miss. Code. R. § 7-2-2.17

Amended 4/6/2017 Amended 4/27/2018 Amended 6/24/2018 Amended 2/4/2021 Amended 3/24/2023 Amended 10/4/2024