Original Notice.

     Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 11-16-062.

     Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: Chapter 250-61 WAC, Regulations for Degree Authorization Act.

     Hearing Location(s): Higher Education Coordinating Board, 917 Lakeridge Way S.W., Olympia, WA 98502, on January 30, 2012, at 10:00 a.m. - noon.

     Date of Intended Adoption: March 29, 2012.

     Submit Written Comments to: Michael J. Ball, Associate Director, P.O. Box 43430, Olympia, WA 98504-3430, e-mail michaelb@hecb.wa.gov, fax (360) 704-6239, by January 27, 2012.

     Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Karen Oelschlager by January 23, 2012, (360) 753-7869 or kareno@hecb.wa.gov.

     Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules:

•	Increase or establish fees for initial degree authorization, degree authorization renewal, degree authorization reapplication, new program applications and new site applications as previously authorized by the Washington state legislature in the 2011-2013 operating budget (2ESHB 1087).
•	Add definitions related to the establishment of new fees.
•	Create an exemption category for nonpublic degree-granting institutions recognized as Washington institutions by the Washington state legislature.

     Reasons Supporting Proposal: To comply with the legislative authorization for fee increases and the establishment of a separate exemption from authorization category.

     Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 28B.76.120 and 28B.85.020.

     Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.

     Name of Proponent: Higher education coordinating board, governmental.

     Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting, Implementation and Enforcement: Michael J. Ball, 917 Lakeridge Way S.W., Olympia, WA 98502, (360) 753-7866.

     No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. The primary impact will be on existing out-of-state institutions owned by corporate entities.

     A cost-benefit analysis is not required under RCW 34.05.328. There are no costs associated with implementation of the revised rules.

December 14, 2011

Michael J. Ball

Associate Director

Degree Authorization

OTS-4504.2

     (1) "Act" means the Degree-Granting Institutions Act, chapter 28B.85 RCW.

     (2) "Board" means the Washington higher education coordinating board.

     (3) "Executive director" means the executive director of the board or the executive director's designee.

     (4) "Accrediting association" means a national or regional accrediting association that is recognized by the board and the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education.

     (5) "Degree-granting institution" means an entity that offers educational credentials, instruction, or services prerequisite to or indicative of a degree.

     (6) "College" means an institution which offers two-year and/or four-year programs culminating with associate and/or baccalaureate degrees. In some instances, a college may also offer first professional degree programs and/or graduate programs culminating with master's degrees.

     (7) "University" means a multiunit institution with varied educational roles including instruction, promotion of scholarship, preservation and discovery of knowledge, research and public service. Such institutions provide a wide range of undergraduate and graduate studies, programs in professional fields, and may also provide programs leading to a doctorate.

     (8) "Private vocational school" means a nonpublic entity that offers postsecondary programs designed to prepare individuals with the skills and training required for employment in a specific trade, occupation, or profession related to the educational program.

     (9) "Seminary" means an institution which offers one or more professional programs to candidates for the ministry, rabbinate, or priesthood.

     (10) "Degree" means any designation, appellation, letters, or words including but not limited to "associate," "bachelor," "master," "doctor," or "fellow" which signify or imply satisfactory completion of the requirements of an academic program of study at the postsecondary level.

     (11) "Associate degree" means a lower division undergraduate degree that requires no fewer than 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours.

     (12) "Bachelor's degree" or "baccalaureate degree" means an undergraduate degree that requires no fewer than 120 semester hours or 180 quarter hours.

     (13) "Master's degree" means a graduate degree that requires no fewer than 24 semester hours or 36 quarter hours beyond the baccalaureate degree.

     (14) "Doctor's degree" or "doctorate" means a postgraduate degree that requires no fewer than 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours beyond the baccalaureate degree.

     (15) "False academic credential" means a document that signifies or implies satisfactory completion of the requirements of an academic program of study beyond the secondary level issued by a person or entity that:

     (a) Is not accredited by a board-recognized accrediting association or does not have the international equivalent to such accreditation; or

     (b) Is not authorized by the board; or

     (c) Has not been exempted or granted a waiver from the requirements of authorization by the board.

     Additionally, it can mean a credential falsely claimed to have been earned from an institution accredited by a board-recognized accrediting association; authorized by the board; or that has been exempted or granted a waiver by the board.

     (16) "Program of study" means any course or grouping of courses prerequisite to or indicative of a degree.

     (17) "Resident-based instruction" means a course or series of courses or degree programs which are taught by faculty at a specific location where students physically attend the course or program.

     (18) "Distance learning" means a form of educational instruction other than classroom instruction, to include, but not limited to, correspondence, video-conferencing, television, internet transmission, or other electronic communication.

     (19) "Credit" means the unit by which an institution measures its course work. The number of credit assigned to a course is generally defined by the number of hours per week in class and preparation and the number of weeks in a term. One credit is usually assigned for three hours of student work per week or its equivalent. The three hours of student work per week is usually comprised of a combination of one hour of lecture and two of homework or three hours of laboratory. Semester and quarter credits are the most common systems of measuring course work. A semester credit is generally based on at least a fifteen week calendar or 45 hours of student work. A quarter credit is generally based on at least a ten week calendar or 30 hours of student work.

     (20) "Faculty" means personnel who are appointed by the institution for purposes of teaching, research, mentoring, advisory roles and/or other activities relating to the development and delivery of the instructional programs of the institution.

     (21) "To operate" means but is not limited to the following:

     (a) Offering courses for academic credit at any Washington location or via distance learning from a Washington location.

     (b) Granting or offering to grant degrees in Washington for credit obtained within or outside the state.

     (c) Maintaining or advertising a Washington location, mailing address, telecommunications number or internet server for any purpose or any other function of a degree-granting institution, other than contact with the institution's former students for any legitimate purpose related to their having attended.

     (d) Advertising, promoting, publicizing, soliciting or recruiting for the institution or its offerings that is targeted specifically at Washington citizens, excluding multi-institutional college fairs.

     (22) "Suspend" means that, due to deficiencies, the board interrupts for a stated time the institution's authority to recruit and enroll new students, but it may continue serving currently enrolled students for the remainder of the term. Authorization or exemption may be reinstated, provided the deficiencies have been resolved to the satisfaction of the board.

     (23) "Withdraw" means that, due to significant deficiencies or failure to meet the criteria of authorization or exemption, the board has withdrawn the authorization or exemption granted to an institution. Upon withdrawal, the institution must cease all degree-granting operations immediately.

     (24) "Accredited institution" means an institution that has been accredited by an accrediting association recognized by the board and the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education.

     (25) "Additional program" means a degree program that:

     (a) Differs in title and curriculum from any currently authorized program; or

     (b) Is comprised of a curriculum that is twenty-five percent or more different in content than any currently authorized program.

     (26) "Additional site" means a site at which the institution will provide both administrative services as well as educational instruction.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 28B.76.120 and 28B.85.020. 09-20-033, § 250-61-050, filed 9/30/09, effective 10/31/09; 09-02-008, § 250-61-050, filed 12/29/08, effective 1/29/09. Statutory Authority: RCW 28B.80.370. 95-01-003, § 250-61-050, filed 12/8/94, effective 1/8/95; 86-24-003 (Order 7/86, Resolution No. 87-34), § 250-61-050, filed 11/20/86.]

     The provisions of this chapter do not apply to:

     (1) Honorary credentials clearly designated as such on the front side of the diploma or certificate and awarded by institutions offering other educational credentials in compliance with state law.

     (2) Any public college, public university, public community college, or public technical college or institute operating as part of the public higher education system of this state.

     (3) Institutions that have received institutional accreditation from an association recognized by the board and the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education, Provided:

     (a) The institution has been continuously offering degree program(s) in Washington for fifteen years or more; and

     (b) The institution was established originally within the state of Washington and has operated as the same organization continuously from that date until the present. An institution is considered to have operated as the same organization continuously if it has no significant alteration of primary location, ownership, or incorporation and no closure involving cessation of substantially all organized instructional and administrative activity; and

     (c) The institution has been accredited as a degree-granting institution for ten years or more by an accrediting association recognized by the board and the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education, and maintains such accreditation status; and

     (d) The institution maintains eligibility to participate in Title IV financial aid programs.

     (4) A branch campus, extension center, or off-campus facility operating within the state of Washington, which is affiliated with an institution domiciled outside this state, Provided:

     (a) It has continuously offered degree programs in Washington for fifteen years or more; and

     (b) It has held separate institutional accreditation as a free-standing institution for ten years or more by an accrediting association recognized by the board and the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education, and maintains such accreditation status; and

     (c) It maintains eligibility to participate in Title IV financial aid programs.

     (5) Institutions offering instruction on a federal enclave solely to federal employees and their dependents. If the institution offers or advertises instruction for other persons, the institution shall be subject to authorization.

     (6) Institutions recognized by the Washington state legislature as an accredited Washington degree-granting institution, provided the institution maintains all conditions specified in the legislation as part of the recognition.

     (7) Tribally controlled Native American colleges.

     (((7))) (8) Institutions which offer program(s) of study whose sole stated objective is training in the religious beliefs of the controlling religious organization and/or preparation of students for occupations that are primarily church-related, Provided:

     (a) The institution's mission reflects its religious nature; and

     (b) The institution's degree program(s) in title and abbreviation, curriculum content, and objectives reflect the strictly religious nature of the institution; and

     (c) The institution's program(s) require a prescribed program of study, which must be successfully completed prior to the granting of a degree; and

     (d) The institution's program(s) of study are represented in an accurate manner in institutional catalogs, web sites, and other official published materials; and

     (e) The institution does not claim or publicize accreditation from an accrediting association that is not recognized by the board and the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education.

     (((8))) (9) In the case of institutions which offer both religious and secular programs, the secular programs shall be subject to the requirements of chapter 28B.85 RCW.

     (((9))) (10) Institutions not otherwise exempt which offer only workshops and seminars and institutions offering only credit-bearing workshops or seminars lasting no longer than three calendar days.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 28B.76.120 and 28B.85.020. 09-20-033, § 250-61-060, filed 9/30/09, effective 10/31/09; 09-02-008, § 250-61-060, filed 12/29/08, effective 1/29/09. Statutory Authority: Chapter 28B.85 RCW. 99-06-022, § 250-61-060, filed 2/22/99, effective 3/25/99. Statutory Authority: RCW 28B.80.370. 95-01-003, § 250-61-060, filed 12/8/94, effective 1/8/95; 86-24-003 (Order 7/86, Resolution No. 87-34), § 250-61-060, filed 11/20/86.]

     (1) Be accredited by ((a board-recognized)) an accrediting association recognized by the board and the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education; or

     (2) Have applied for accreditation to an accrediting association recognized by the board and the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education and such application is pending before the accrediting association; or

     (3) Have been granted a temporary waiver by the board of the requirement for accreditation based upon submission of a plan for accreditation as outlined in the initial authorization application; or

     (4) Have been granted an exemption by the board of the requirement for accreditation based upon the following condition: The school has filed, and kept current with appropriate amendments, at the higher education coordinating board an affidavit by each president of two separate accredited colleges or universities accredited by an accrediting association recognized by the board and the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education stating that the majority of course credits offered by the unaccredited institution are generally acceptable or transferable to the accredited college or university which each president represents.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 28B.76.120 and 28B.85.020. 09-20-033, § 250-61-085, filed 9/30/09, effective 10/31/09; 09-02-008, § 250-61-085, filed 12/29/08, effective 1/29/09.]

     (2) Purpose. The institution shall clearly define its purpose or mission in an official statement which describes its role in higher education. The statement shall reflect the practices of the institution.

     (3) Administration and governance. The institution shall be governed by bylaws or policies defining a chain of authority and responsibility.

     (a) Administrators shall normally be graduates of accredited institutions and have academic credentials and prior higher education administrative experience for their area of responsibility.

     (b) The main campus of the institution shall have, as a minimum, personnel to adequately staff the following roles: A chief executive officer, academic officer, registrar, business officer, student services officer, library director, and, if financial aid services are offered, financial aid officer. These officers shall be accessible to students, faculty, and other personnel located at the main campus and at educational sites or centers in Washington. In the event that the proposed Washington site is a branch campus of an out-of-state institution, the branch campus shall also have sufficient personnel to adequately serve the students at that location.

     (i) The chief executive and academic officers shall have at least a master's degree from an accredited institution and experience in college-level management, teaching, and academic administration, unless the institution can demonstrate that these are not the normally accepted standards for an institution offering the same level of instruction.

     (ii) The registrar shall have at least a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and college-level experience in admissions and student records, unless the institution can demonstrate that these are not the normally accepted standards for an institution offering the same level of instruction.

     (iii) The business, student services, and financial aid officers and library director shall have at least a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and experience in their assigned areas, unless the institution can demonstrate that these are not the normally accepted standards for an institution offering the same level of instruction.

     (c) The institution shall specify an individual who will serve as the principal contact person for each educational site or academic center in Washington.

     (d) The institution shall have policies and provisions for the involvement of faculty in the academic affairs, curriculum development, and governance of the institution.

     (e) The institution shall have policies and provisions for faculty selection, orientation, teaching load, supervision, evaluation, and professional development.

     (4) The following conditions shall disqualify an individual((s)) as an administrator of a degree-granting institution:

     (a) Conviction of a felony within the past ten years;

     (b) Involuntary surrender of authorization or a license to operate a school in Washington;

     (c) Having been served with a cease and desist order for activities in violation of the current Washington Administrative Code; or

     (d) Denial of renewal of authorization or a license because of violation of the current Washington Administrative Code.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 28B.76.120 and 28B.85.020. 09-20-033, § 250-61-090, filed 9/30/09, effective 10/31/09; 09-02-008, § 250-61-090, filed 12/29/08, effective 1/29/09. Statutory Authority: Chapter 28B.85 RCW. 99-06-021, § 250-61-090, filed 2/22/99, effective 3/25/99. Statutory Authority: RCW 28B.80.370. 95-01-003, § 250-61-090, filed 12/8/94, effective 1/8/95; 86-24-003 (Order 7/86, Resolution No. 87-34), § 250-61-090, filed 11/20/86.]

     (a) Associate degrees:

     (i) An associate degree shall require at least ninety quarter credits or sixty semester credits.

     (A) An associate degree intended for occupational preparation shall require, as a minimum, general education requirements that comprise a recognizable body of instruction in three program-related areas:

     (I) Communications;

     (II) Computation; and

     (III) Human relations.

     (B) The general education requirements of all other associate degrees shall be consistent with the current guidelines of the Washington inter-college relations commission.

     (ii) The following associate degree designations shall be acceptable:

     (A) The associate of arts (A.A.), and associate of science (A.S.) for programs which emphasize the liberal arts and sciences. These programs generally satisfy the general education requirements for a baccalaureate degree and are transfer oriented.

     (B) The associate in applied technology (A.A.T.), associate in applied science (A.A.S.), associate of occupational science (A.O.S.) and other such applied or technology-related degree designations for programs which emphasize preparation for occupations at the technical level. These programs generally do not satisfy the general education requirements for a baccalaureate degree and are not transfer-oriented.

     (b) Baccalaureate degrees: A baccalaureate degree shall require at least one hundred eighty quarter credits or one hundred twenty semester credits. The degree shall require a distinct major and, as a minimum, twenty-five percent of the program shall be in general education curricula.

     (c) Master's degrees:

     (i) A master's degree program shall require at least thirty-six quarter credits or twenty-four semester credits, specialization in an academic or professional area, and a demonstration of mastery.

     (ii) The following master's degree designations shall be acceptable:

     (A) The master of arts (M.A.) and master of science (M.S.) for programs which advance study and exploration in the discipline. The majority of credit for M.A. and M.S. degrees shall be at the graduate level in the major field.

     (B) The master of business administration (M.B.A.), master of fine arts (M.F.A.), master of education (M.Ed.), etc. for programs which emphasize professional preparation.

     (d) Doctoral degrees:

     (i) Doctoral degree programs shall provide a broad range of advanced course offerings, faculty in ancillary and supporting fields, access to adequate laboratory and research facilities, and a wide range of current reference materials in the subject field. A doctoral degree shall require at least three full academic years of specialized postbaccalaureate study. To obtain a doctoral degree a student shall be required to demonstrate, through comprehensive examination, the ability to perform research at the level of the professional scholar or perform the work of a professional that involves the highest levels of knowledge and expertise.

     (ii) The following doctoral degree designations shall be acceptable:

     (A) The doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.) degree for programs which are oriented toward original research and require a dissertation.

     (B) A professional doctoral degree (J.D., Ed.D., etc.) for programs which emphasize technical knowledge and professional competence and require either a research thesis or a project involving the solution of a substantial problem of professional interest.

     (e) Distance learning program(s) of study must be comparable in content, faculty, and resources to those offered in residence, and include regular student-faculty interaction by computer, telephone, mail, or face-to-face meetings.

     (f) Noncollegiate learning.

     (i) Undergraduate credit for noncollegiate learning may be awarded when validated through a portfolio or similar procedure. The institution shall maintain copies of examinations, portfolios, and evaluations used in this process. Noncollegiate learning credit shall constitute no more than twenty-five percent of an undergraduate degree program.

     (ii) Credit awarded for noncollegiate learning at the graduate level must be consistent with the minimum standards as published by the school's accrediting association.

     (2) Faculty.

     (a) Faculty shall be professionally prepared and graduates of accredited institutions and, as a group, the institutions from which they earned their degrees shall be diverse.

     (b) Faculty shall be sufficient in number and kind and in the proportion of full-time and part-time positions to sustain rigorous courses, programs, and services.

     (c) Faculty teaching academic courses at the undergraduate degree level shall have a master's degree in the assigned or related program area from an accredited institution. Faculty assigned to teach in vocational-technical subjects shall have educational credentials and experience compatible with their teaching assignment. Faculty assigned to teach general education courses within any undergraduate program shall have a master's degree in a related area from an accredited institution.

     (d) Faculty teaching at the master's degree level in programs which emphasize advanced study and exploration in a discipline shall have an earned doctorate in a related field from an accredited institution and experience in directing independent study and research. Faculty teaching in master's programs which emphasize professional preparation shall have, as a minimum, a master's degree from an accredited institution and documented achievement in a related field.

     (e) Faculty teaching at the doctoral level shall have an earned doctorate in a related field from an accredited institution and experience in teaching and directing independent study and research.

     (3) Admissions. Admission requirements shall be based on the institution's objectives and consistently applied to each program of study. Through preenrollment assessments, testing and advising, the institution shall determine the readiness and ability of each student to succeed in his/her degree program. Institutions shall use only those tests reviewed and approved by the U.S. Department of Education.

     High school graduation or the equivalent shall be required for undergraduate admission. A baccalaureate degree or the equivalent shall be required for admission into graduate programs. Special undergraduate admission may be granted, based on the applicant's general educational development.

     (4) Enrollment contract. If an enrollment contract is utilized, the institution shall discuss all terms and provisions of the contract with the student prior to the student's execution of the contract. The contract shall contain an ((acknowledgement)) acknowledgment section directly above the student's signature blank for the student to acknowledge that the institution discussed all terms and provisions of the contract with the student and that the student understands all financial obligations and responsibilities.

     (5) Evaluation. The institution shall provide evidence that it has procedures for continuing evaluation and improvement of educational programs, quality of instruction, and overall operations of the institution.

     (a) Student, alumni, and employer evaluations of the effectiveness of the curricula shall be considered in these evaluations.

     (b) The institution's chief academic officer or designee shall periodically evaluate all areas of the institution to determine their effectiveness in fulfilling institutional objectives and meeting the standards set forth in these regulations or implied in the statute. The results of those evaluations shall be submitted to board staff upon request.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 28B.76.120 and 28B.85.020. 09-20-033, § 250-61-100, filed 9/30/09, effective 10/31/09; 09-02-008, § 250-61-100, filed 12/29/08, effective 1/29/09. Statutory Authority: RCW 28B.80.370. 95-01-003, § 250-61-100, filed 12/8/94, effective 1/8/95; 86-24-003 (Order 7/86, Resolution No. 87-34), § 250-61-100, filed 11/20/86.]

     (2) An institution granted authorization shall print a statement in a prominent position in the catalog and on its web site that reads: "(Name of institution) is authorized by the Washington higher education coordinating board (HECB) and meets the requirements and minimum educational standards established for degree-granting institutions under the Degree-Granting Institutions Act. This authorization is subject to periodic review and authorizes (name of institution) to offer ((the following)) specific degree programs((: (List))). The HECB may be contacted for a list of currently authorized programs. Authorization by the HECB does not carry with it an endorsement by the board of the institution or its programs. Any person desiring information about the requirements of the act or the applicability of those requirements to the institution may contact the HECB at P.O. Box 43430, Olympia, WA 98504-3430."

     (3) The catalog shall include elements as required by the board in application materials such that a prospective student may become reasonably informed about the institution, its offerings, policies and procedures.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 28B.76.120 and 28B.85.020. 09-20-033, § 250-61-120, filed 9/30/09, effective 10/31/09; 09-02-008, § 250-61-120, filed 12/29/08, effective 1/29/09. Statutory Authority: RCW 28B.80.370. 95-01-003, § 250-61-120, filed 12/8/94, effective 1/8/95; 93-01-103, § 250-61-120, filed 12/17/92, effective 1/17/93; 86-24-003 (Order 7/86, Resolution No. 87-34), § 250-61-120, filed 11/20/86.]

     (a) Institutions seeking initial standard authorization shall contact the board staff to arrange for a preliminary conference to discuss the authorization criteria, application procedures and the review process.

     (b) An institution shall submit a fully completed application packet using forms provided by board staff. The application packet will not be considered complete until all required elements have been received by the board.

     (c) For standard authorization, an initial application fee in the amount of ((two)) five thousand dollars is to be submitted along with the application packet. The check is to be made payable to the Washington state treasurer.

     (d) For field placement authorization, an initial application fee in the amount of two thousand dollars is to be submitted along with the application packet. The check is to be made payable to the Washington state treasurer.

     (2) Renewal application.

     (a) Authorized institutions must submit an application for renewal of authorization on a biennial basis when requested by board staff.

     (b) No later than the due date provided by the board, an institution seeking renewal must submit a fully completed renewal application packet using the forms provided by board staff. Failure to provide all requested materials by the due date may result in temporary suspension of the institution's authorization.

     (c) For standard authorization, a renewal application fee in the amount of ((one)) two thousand five hundred dollars is to be submitted along with the application packet. The check is to be made payable to the Washington state treasurer.

     (d) For field placement authorization, a renewal application fee in the amount of one thousand dollars is to be submitted along with the application packet. The check is to be made payable to the Washington state treasurer.

     (3) Additional program(s).

     (a) If an institution proposes to offer additional program(s) of study during the current authorization period, the institution shall submit a new program application well in advance of the proposed offering.

     (b) An additional program application fee in the amount of one thousand dollars per program is to be submitted along with the application packet.

     (c) The program(s) of study may not be offered, advertised or promoted prior to the granting of authorization.

     (4) Additional site(s).

     (a) If an institution proposes to offer programs at a new site in Washington, the institution shall submit a new site application well in advance of the proposed start of operations at that site.

     (b) An additional site application fee in the amount of five hundred dollars per site is to be submitted along with the application packet.

     (c) The site may not be utilized, advertised or promoted prior to the granting of authorization.

     (5) Change of ownership or control. A significant change of ownership or control of an institution shall nullify any previous authorization. The chief administrator, representing the new owner(s), shall notify the board as soon as the change is known. If the chief administrator asserts in a written statement that all conditions set forth in the act and these rules are being met or will be met before offering instruction, the executive director may issue a temporary certificate of authorization for a maximum of one hundred eighty days. The new ownership shall complete an application for initial authorization and submit the application to the board no later than sixty days prior to the expiration of the temporary certificate of authorization.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 28B.76.120 and 28B.85.020. 09-20-033, § 250-61-170, filed 9/30/09, effective 10/31/09; 09-02-008, § 250-61-170, filed 12/29/08, effective 1/29/09. Statutory Authority: RCW 28B.80.370. 95-01-003, § 250-61-170, filed 12/8/94, effective 1/8/95; 86-24-003 (Order 7/86, Resolution No. 87-34), § 250-61-170, filed 11/20/86.]

     (2) Additional documentation and site visit. If board staff determines it is necessary to verify or supplement the information provided in the application, the staff may require additional written documentation and/or arrange for a site visit. The expense for any site visits shall be paid by the institution applying for authorization.

     (3) External consultants. At the discretion of the executive director, the expertise of other higher education experts may be used to assist in the evaluation of the documentation submitted. The cost for the services of the evaluation expert(s) shall be paid by the institution applying for authorization. The fee for such services is five hundred dollars per program per consultant, to be submitted by the institution upon request by the board during the review process. The check is to be made payable to the higher education coordinating board.

     (4) Comment period. Upon completion of a preliminary review, the board shall post a notification of the request for authorization on its web site for a set period of time. Any persons having knowledge as to why the institution or its program(s) may not meet the requirements for degree authorization may provide comment to the board on the proposal.

     (5) Staff recommendations. After the final review has been completed, board staff shall summarize its findings and develop a recommendation to the executive director regarding the application. This recommendation will take one of the following forms:

     (a) That the institution be granted authorization, subject to biennial reporting and maintenance of the conditions under which authorization has been granted.

     (b) That the institution be granted conditional authorization, subject to additional conditions as established by the board, and maintenance of the conditions under which authorization has been granted.

     (c) That the institution be denied authorization.

     (6) Notification. Following the executive director's decision to authorize or deny the institution's request, a letter signifying the action shall be sent from the executive director to the chief administrative officer of the institution.

     (a) The letter of authorization will serve as official authorization for the institution to operate in Washington for the specific programs and locations designated in the letter.

     (b) An institution denied authorization shall be provided with an explanation as to how the institution and/or its programs failed to meet the criteria for authorization. Any institution denied standard authorization that wishes to reapply within one year of the denial date may submit a new fully completed initial application packet and pay a reapplication fee of ((one)) four thousand dollars. Any institution denied field placement authorization that wishes to reapply within one year of the denial date may submit a new fully completed initial application packet and pay a reapplication fee of one thousand dollars. The check is to be made payable to the Washington state treasurer.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 28B.76.120 and 28B.85.020. 09-02-008, § 250-61-180, filed 12/29/08, effective 1/29/09. Statutory Authority: RCW 28B.80.370. 95-01-003, § 250-61-180, filed 12/8/94, effective 1/8/95; 86-24-003 (Order 7/86, Resolution No. 87-34), § 250-61-180, filed 11/20/86.]

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