Source: https://nc-sara.org/agency/tennessee-higher-education-commission
Timestamp: 2020-02-17 03:07:25
Document Index: 85949304

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 49', '§ 49', '§ 49', '§ 49', '§ 49', '§ 49', '§ 49']

Tennessee Higher Education Commission | NC-SARA
stephanie.bellard@tn.gov
6157412819
__X__ Private, out-of-state, not-for-profit degree granting institutions (There is an exemption applicable to some – see Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-7-2004(a)(6))
Private, in-state, not-for-profit degree granting institutions and private, out-of-state, not-for-profit degree granting institutions may be exempt pursuant to Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-7-2004(a)(6). Some religious institutions may be exempt pursuant to Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-7-2004(a)(4). THEC has not addressed authorization of tribally –controlled for federal institutions.
Institutions seeking regular authorization must apply for institution authorization and program approval. Institutions seeking optional expedited authorization (OEA) only apply for institution authorization. THEC maintains an inventory of OEA programs but does not approve the programs.
See Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-7-2013 for specific bond requirements.
Yes, Tennessee has a tuition guarantee fund – Tenn. Code Ann. § See 49-7-2018. The fund is available to students who reside in Tennessee or attend an authorized location with a Tennessee address.
Yes, see Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-7-2004 (https://advance.lexis.com/container?config=014CJAA5ZGVhZjA3NS02MmMzLTRlZWQtOGJjNC00YzQ1MmZlNzc2YWYKAFBvZENhdGFsb2e9zYpNUjTRaIWVfyrur9ud&crid=a6dd0989-2cdc-42ad-aff3-1ea912252481) and Rule 1540-01-02-.05 (https://publications.tnsosfiles.com/rules/1540/1540-01-02.20170321.pdf)
Physical presence is always considered; however, physical presence in Tennessee does not include merely enrolling a student into a distance education program.
Yes , physical presence is always considered.
"Physical presence” means presence within the state of Tennessee for the purpose of conducting activity related to a postsecondary educational institution as given in T.C.A. § 49- 7-2007. Physical presence as further outlined for purposes of authorization shall include but not be limited to: (a) Operating an instructional site within the state; (b) Offering instruction within or originating from Tennessee designed to impart knowledge with response utilizing teachers, trainers, counselors or computer resources, computer linking, or any form of electronic means; (c) Granting an educational
Rule 1540-01-02-.03(42) - https://publications.tnsosfiles.com/rules/1540/1540-01-02.20170321.pdf
To begin the authorization process you must complete an Initial Authorization Application and any related applications, such as New Program Applications or School Personnel Applications; pay all required fees; secure the required bonds; receive a successful site visit report; and meet all minimum standards.
Applications are considered by the Committee on Postsecondary Educational Institutions (CPEI) at its quarterly meetings. The Committee will vote as to whether to recommend approval of the institution and related programs to the Tennessee Higher Education Commission. Thereafter, the
Meeting dates: https://www.tn.gov/thec/news-and-events/public-meeting-notices/committee-of-postsecondary-educational-institutions.html
Applications: https://www.tn.gov/thec/bureaus/student-aid-and-compliance/postsecondary-state-authorization/dpsa-links-and-forms.html
For regular authorization there is a $3000 initial authorization application fee and $500 per program application fee.
For Optional Expedited Authorization there is an annual $9000 application fee.
For regular authorization see Rule 1540-01-02-.25 (https://publications.tnsosfiles.com/rules/1540/1540-01-02.20170321.pdf)
For Optional Expedited Authorization see Rule 1540-01-10-.09 (https://publications.tnsosfiles.com/rules/1540/1540-01-10.20170321.pdf)
All authorized institutions shall provide student-level statistical data on a Commission staff data form that will allow Commission staff to calculate the following statistical information by institution and program: (a) The enrollment count; (b) Demographic statistics; (c) Withdrawal rates; (d) Completion rates; (e) Number of credentials awarded; (f) Categories of credentials awarded; (g) Placement rates; (h) In-field placement rates; and (i) Average time to completion.
Data shall include all students enrolled at the institution between the twelve (12) months beginning July 1 and ending
See Rule 1540-01-02-.18 (https://publications.tnsosfiles.com/rules/1540/1540-01-02.20170321.pdf)
Yearly on October 15
THEC shall publish the results of its calculations on its website except that withdrawal, completion, placement, and in-field placement rates shall not be reported for programs with ten (10) or fewer students.
THEC accepts complaints from anyone in regard to regularly authorized institutions. THEC accepts only student complaints against optionally expedited authorized institutions that have not been resolved at the institution level. THEC also accepts complaints regarding institutions authorized through the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA).
https://www.tn.gov/content/tn/thec/bureaus/student-aid-and-compliance/postsecondary-state-authorization/request-for-complaint-review.html
Process handled at THEC.
Contact Name Julie Woodruff
Title Assistant Executive Director and Lead Attorney
Agency Tennessee Higher Education Commission, DPSA
Phone (615)741-5293
THEC has not received a SARA complaint to date, but were we to receive one, we would investigate similarly to other complaints.
Generally, THEC can assess fines, change authorization to conditional or revoke authorization. See Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-7-2010, 2017 and 2022 (https://advance.lexis.com/container?config=014CJAA5ZGVhZjA3NS02MmMzLTRlZWQtOGJjNC00YzQ1MmZlNzc2YWYKAFBvZENhdGFsb2e9zYpNUjTRaIWVfyrur9ud&crid=a6dd0989-2cdc-42ad-aff3-1ea912252481) and Rule 1540-01-02-.22 (https://publications.tnsosfiles.com/rules/1540/1540-01-02.20170321.pdf)
Tennessee requires institution to retain transcripts indefinitely. When an institution closes THEC requests all transcripts since authorization and maintains transcript in a database managed by THEC.
Agency Name Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC)
Contact Phone (615)741-5293
Contact web site https://www.tn.gov/thec/bureaus/student-aid-and-compliance/postsecondary-state-authorization/academic-transcripts.html