Mississippi Administrative Code › Title 10 - Education Institutions and Agencies › Part 201 - Standards and Regulations of the Mississippi Commission on College Accreditation › Chapter 3 - General Policies, Provisions, and Procedures › Rule 10-201-3.4 - Authorization for Non-SARA Online Programs

Current through June 25, 2024
Out-of-state academic degree-granting postsecondary
				  educational institutions that offer courses and programs exclusively online
				  from their locations outside the borders of the State are required to apply for
				  Commission approval. These institutions must submit the following information
				  to the Commission:
a. A
				self-assessment letter signed by the chief executive officer or the chief
				academic officer stipulating the institution does not engage in any activities
				in the State that trigger presence;
b. Documentation demonstrating the
				institution is operating lawfully in its home state;
c. Documentation of institutional
				accreditation, and licensure and approval by Commission recognized accrediting
				agencies, state licensing and/or approval boards, and federal
				agencies;
d. Documentation
				evidencing an established, easily accessible, clearly articulated, and
				comprehensive process for the resolution of student
				complaints/grievances;
e.
				Documentation of fair and equitable cancellation and withdrawal policies, and
				tuition refund policies and processes;
f. Information about Mississippi residents
				enrolled in its online program(s);
g. List all programs/courses you plan to
				offer including the implementation date;
h. Documentation that the institution has
				approval from the appropriate state licensing and/or approval board or agency
				responsible for professional requirements, if the institution is seeking
				approval to offer courses, field placements, or programs potentially leading to
				professional licensure or certification or related to pre- or post-licensure
				educational activities. The institution is responsible for contacting the
				applicable Mississippi state licensing boards and/or approval agencies directly
				regarding those boards/agencies' particular requirements, if any.
i. Documentation of the process which
				establishes that the student who registers in a distance education program or
				course is the same student participating in completing the program or course
				and receiving academic credit. The institution meets this requirement if (a)
				student uses a secure login and passcode, or (b) the institution schedules
				proctored exams, or (c) the institution uses new technologies and practices
				that verify the student's identity during testing. Unless otherwise provided,
				all institution policies and guidelines for on and off campus instruction apply
				to distance education.
j. List all
				states the institution is operating in;
k. Documentation of financial resources and
				stability;
l. Disclosure of any
				former names of the institution with the dates each former name was
				used;
m. Documentation of
				catastrophic events policy and disaster recovery plans and procedures. They
				should cover emergencies and conditions such as natural disasters, cyber
				threats, pandemic, or other health-related closures; and explanation of how the
				institution will assure that students who are affected by such closures will
				receive the services for which they have paid or reasonable financial
				compensation for those not received, as well as adequate processes for
				protection, management, and maintenance of student records in the event of a
				closure;
n. Other information,
				documentation, and reports as requested by the Commission.
Institutions must provide annual reports and submit the
				  initial/annual renewal fee.
Miss. Code Ann. §
										37-101-241
				  (1972, as amended).