Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education
Agency Contact
Additional Contact
Secretary of State Contact
1: Important Agency Information to Note
Indicate the types of institutions that your agency authorizes.
- Note: Some agencies may refer to out-of-state public institutions as “private colleges” in their law. If this is the case for your agency, please select “public, out-of-state degree granting institutions” for purposes of this Guide so that the out-of-state public institution will find appropriate information.
- Note: If your agency is a coordinating board, your agency may have one division with some authority such as program approval over in-state public institutions that are established per statute, which is structured differently than another division of your agency with state authorization authority over non-public institutions that they “license” pursuant to different statute(s).
____ Public, in-state degree granting institutions
_X__ Public, out-of-state degree granting institutions
_X__ Private, in-state, not-for-profit degree granting institutions
_X__ Private, out-of-state, not-for-profit degree granting institutions
_X__ Private, in-state, for-profit degree granting institutions
_X__ Private, out-of-state, for-profit degree granting institutions
____ Public, in-state, non-degree granting institutions
_X__ Public, out-of-state, non-degree granting institutions
_X__ Non-degree, not-for profit institutions
_X__ Non-degree, for-profit institutions
_X__ Religious institutions
____ Tribally-controlled institutions
____ Federal Institutions
____ Municipal institutions
- For example, an agency may require an institution apply for licensure for institutional approval and also require the institution to apply for specific program(s) approval.
____ Institution
_____ Program
_X__ Both
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2: Authorization of Distance Education
Institutions must be a SARA participating institution or apply for Exemption from Authorization for online programs not offered in state.
Link to Online/Distance Education (Non-SARA) website: https://acpe.alaska.gov/IA/OnlineExempt
3: Accreditation by an Accrediting Agency Recognized by the U.S. Department of Education
No
Accreditation by an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education required for:
_X__ Public, out-of-state degree granting institutions
_X__ Private, in-state, not-for-profit degree granting institutions
_X__ Private, out-of-state, not-for-profit degree granting institutions
_X__ Private, in-state, for-profit degree granting institutions
_X__ Private, out-of-state, for-profit degree granting institutions
____ Public, in-state, non-degree granting institutions
____ Public, out-of-state, non-degree granting institutions
____ Non-degree, not-for profit institutions
____ Non-degree, for-profit institutions
____ Religious institutions
____ Tribally-controlled institutions
____ Federal Institutions
____ Municipal institutions
Accreditation is required to offer degrees but ACPE also regulates non-degree granting schools
4: Physical Presence Policy
Physical presence is defined as the presence within the state of paid staff or faculty, or a facility or address; in this paragraph, "faculty" and "staff" does not include site supervisors or mentors for local internships or practica, or adjunct personnel; staff or faculty residing within the state but working from a location other than the facility of a postsecondary educational institution does not constitute a physical presence.
Does a virtual clinical / internship trigger the requirement for authorization with your agency?
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5: Application Process
Webpage has all fees and applications.
6: Fees Associated with Authorization
Yes
$2,750 for in state initial authorization, up to 3 programs. $750 per additional program, $5,000 max.
Webpage has all fees and applications.
7: Surety Bonds
No
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8: Student Tuition Recovery Fund
No
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9: Tuition Refund Policy
Yes
All institutions
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10: Reporting
None at this time.
n/a
n/a
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11: Enforcement
(1) shall serve on the institution or agent, or both, an order requiring the institution or agent, or both, to cease and desist from the act or practice;
(2) may award the individual or class of individuals named in the complaint full or partial restitution for damage or loss if the commission finds that the individual or class of individuals has suffered loss or damage as a result of the act or practice;
(3) may impose the penalties provided for in AS 14.48.190;
(4) may assess a civil fine, not to exceed $5,000, for costs of investigating and adjudicating a matter under this section; and
(5) may, based on its own investigation and the evidence presented at the hearing, begin an action to revoke an institution's authorization to operate or an agent's permit.
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12: Student Complaints - Non-SARA Participating Institutions
Must complete institutional grievance policy steps prior to complaint with the Commission.
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Handled all the same.
Contact Name: Tyler Eggen
Title: Institutional Authorization Program Coordinator
Agency: Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education
Address: PO Box 110505 Juneau, AK 99811
Email: eed.acpe-ia@alaska.gov
Phone: 907-465-6741
URL: www.acpe.alaska.gov/ia
We direct students to our FAQ, which has resulted in less calls and emails with preliminary questions.
13: Records Retention
ACPE is the repository for closed school records for Alaska based schools
- Agency Name: ACPE
- Contact Person: Customer Service
- Contact Phone: 1-800-441-2962
- Contact Address: PO Box 110505 Juneau, AK 99811-0505
- Contact Email: Customer.service@alaska.gov
- Contact web site: https://acpe.alaska.gov/ia/closedschoolrecords
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14: Additional Information
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Please note: There could be additional state agencies with oversight of activities of your institution.