Source: http://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/law/wsr/2009/20/09-20-033.htm
Timestamp: 2020-01-25 17:29:24
Document Index: 203302543

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 250', '§ 250', '§ 250', '§ 250', '§ 250', '§ 250', '§ 250', '§ 250', '§ 250', '§ 250', '§ 250', '§ 250', '§ 250', '§ 250', '§ 250', '§ 250', '§ 250', '§ 250', '§ 250', '§ 250', '§ 250', '§ 250', '§ 250', '§ 250', '§ 250', '§ 250', '§ 250', '§ 250', '§ 250', '§ 250']

WSR 09-20-033
[ Filed September 30, 2009, 8:43 a.m. , effective October 31, 2009 ]
Purpose: To correct typographical and grammatical errors made in the previous revision, which went into effect on January 29, 2009.
Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Amending chapter 250-61 WAC.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 28B.76.120 and 28B.85.020.
Adopted under notice filed as WSR 09-11-035 on May 12, 2009.
Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 10, Repealed 0.
Date Adopted: September 30, 2009.
OTS-2395.1
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 09-02-008, filed 12/29/08, effective 1/29/09)
WAC 250-61-020 Applicability. A degree-granting institution shall not operate, conduct business, grant or offer to grant any academic courses or degree programs unless the institution has obtained authorization from the board, been granted a waiver of the requirements of authorization, or ((has)) been determined by the board to be exempt.
(2) Institutions maintaining or advertising a Washington location, mailing address, or telecommunications number for any purpose or any function of a degree-granting institution other than contact with the institution's former students; and
The act does not apply to degree programs and academic credit courses offered exclusively from outside the state through individual and private interstate communication.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 28B.76.120 and 28B.85.020. 09-02-008, § 250-61-020, filed 12/29/08, effective 1/29/09. Statutory Authority: RCW 28B.80.370. 95-01-003, § 250-61-020, filed 12/8/94, effective 1/8/95; 86-24-003 (Order 7/86, Resolution No. 87-34), § 250-61-020, filed 11/20/86.]
WAC 250-61-050 Definitions. The definitions set forth in this section are intended to supplement the definitions in chapter 28B.85 RCW and shall apply throughout this chapter.
(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.
(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:
(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) "((Accrediting)) 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.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 28B.76.120 and 28B.85.020. 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.]
WAC 250-61-060 Exemption criteria. No exemption from the requirements for degree authorization is considered to be permanent. The exemption granted is dependent upon the institution's maintenance of the conditions under which the exemption was granted.
(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:
(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
(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
(6) Tribally controlled Native American colleges.
(7) 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:
(c) The institution's program(s) ((of study)) require a prescribed program of study, which must be successfully completed prior to the granting of a degree; 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) 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) 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. 09-02-008, § 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.]
WAC 250-61-085 Accreditation requirements. An institution ((seeking initial degree authorization)) operating in Washington shall:
(1) Be accredited by a board-recognized accrediting association; or
(2) Have applied for accreditation 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. 09-02-008, § 250-61-085, filed 12/29/08, effective 1/29/09.]
WAC 250-61-090 Administrative requirements. (1) Name. The official name of the institution shall be consistent with, and appropriate to, the program(s) of study offered.
(i) The chief executive and academic officers shall have at least ((the)) a master's degree 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.
(iii) The business, student services, and financial aid officers and library director shall have at least ((the)) 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.
(e) The institution ((also)) shall have policies and provisions for faculty selection, orientation, teaching load, supervision, evaluation, and professional development.
(4) The following conditions shall disqualify individuals 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. 09-02-008, § 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.]
WAC 250-61-100 Academic requirements. (1) Educational programs. Each program shall require the completion of a prescribed program of study leading to the attainment of competence in an interdisciplinary area or specific field of study. Programs shall generally meet the guidelines or standards of an accrediting association recognized by the board and the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education that accredits similar programs of study.
(B) The general education requirements of all other associate degrees shall be consistent with the current guidelines of the Washington inter-college relations commission.
(A) The associate of arts (A.A.), and associate of science((s)) (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 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.
(B) A professional doctoral degree (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.
(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.
(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 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.
(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. 09-02-008, § 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.]
WAC 250-61-120 Catalog requirements. (1) An institution granted authorization shall publish a catalog supplemented as necessary by other published materials, providing sufficient information for students to obtain an adequate understanding of the institution, its programs, policies and procedures. Institutional catalogs shall be published at least once every two years and be provided to students at the time of their enrollment. Electronic catalogs must be archived and students must have access to the archived information.
(2) An institution granted authorization shall print a statement in a prominent position in the catalog and on its web site that reads: "((The)) (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 degree programs: (List). 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. 09-02-008, § 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.]
WAC 250-61-130 Cancellation and refund requirements. (1) Each institution shall publish its cancellation and refund policies in clear language that can be easily understood by prospective students. No student shall be enrolled without having received the explanatory materials. These policies shall apply to all terminations for any reason, by either party.
(2) The refund policy shall comply with the federal guidelines established by the U.S. Department of Education and the standards established by the accrediting association which accredits the institution((s)) or from which the institution is seeking accreditation.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 28B.76.120 and 28B.85.020. 09-02-008, § 250-61-130, filed 12/29/08, effective 1/29/09. Statutory Authority: RCW 28B.80.370. 95-01-003, § 250-61-130, filed 12/8/94, effective 1/8/95; 86-24-003 (Order 7/86, Resolution No. 87-34), § 250-61-130, filed 11/20/86.]
WAC 250-61-170 Application requirements. (1) Initial application((:)).
(a) Institutions seeking initial 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) 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.
(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) 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.
(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) The program(s) of study may not be offered, advertised or promoted prior to the granting of authorization.
(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) 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. 09-02-008, § 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.]
WAC 250-61-210 Hearing process. (1) A party subject to the following actions may request a hearing:
(d) Other final action as defined in chapter 34.05 RCW, by the executive director that adversely affects the institution or student and which is contrary to the intent and purpose of the Degree-Granting Institutions Act or this chapter.
(2) A party must submit a request for a hearing to the executive director at the board office no later than thirty days following receipt of the notice of final agency action. In the written request, the party must identify the final action in dispute and state that a hearing is requested.
(b) The board shall review the initial order under RCW 34.05.464 and either enter a final order or remand the matter for further proceedings under RCW 34.05.464(7).
[Statutory Authority: RCW 28B.76.120 and 28B.85.020. 09-02-008, § 250-61-210, filed 12/29/08, effective 1/29/09. Statutory Authority: RCW 28B.80.370. 95-01-003, § 250-61-210, filed 12/8/94, effective 1/8/95.]