Mississippi Commission on College Accreditation

If your agency uses a physical presence standard, how does your agency define physical presence? Include sample triggers.

For the purpose of state authorization, an institution or entity has physical presence and therefore must seek authorization to operate in Mississippi if it engages in any of the following activities in Mississippi:

A. Establishes a physical location for students to receive synchronous or asynchronous instruction;

B. Requires students to physically meet in a location for instructional purposes more than twice per full-term (quarter or semester) course for a total of more than six hours;

C. Establishes an administrative office in Mississippi;

D. Provides information to students for the purpose of enrolling students, advising students, administrating exams, recruiting students, or providing student support services (or any other services to prospective or current students) from a physical site operated by or on behalf of the institution or entity in Mississippi, or partners or contracts with a third-party provider or other entity located in Mississippi to provide information to students for the purpose of enrolling students, advising students, administrating exams, recruiting students, or providing student support services (or any other services to prospective or current students);

E. Offers a short course that requires more than 20 contact hours in one six-month period;

F. Provides physical office space to instructional or non-instructional staff;

G. Maintains a mailing address or phone exchange in Mississippi;

H. Carries out field study or field research located at a field station, research station or other physical site at which a faculty member or other institutional or any other entity employee or contractor supervises or otherwise directs two or more students in an activity exceeding the allowable short course length (refer to Standard E) and which either bears academic credit or is a requirement for the course or program;

I. Operates career or information booths at fairs or other public gatherings in Mississippi;

J. Presents institutional or any other entity information at secondary schools, postsecondary schools, or other entities in Mississippi;

K. Advertises in local media or publications that originate in Mississippi.

Establishing a physical presence in Mississippi will require initial and annual approval.

For the purpose of distance education, should a Non-SARA institution or entity offer distance education to Mississippi residents, Commission approval is required. Initial and annual approval is required.

For the purpose of placements, field placements include but not limited to clinicals, internships, student teaching, practicum, field-based experiences, etc. in settings (e.g., hospitals, schools, businesses, etc.) in which candidates are working with patients, children, teachers, principals, etc. in Mississippi and are observed/assisted/evaluated by supervisors, preceptors, coaches, teachers, principals, or other individuals to determine that course and/or program requirements have been addressed. Institutions or entities offering field placements in Mississippi are required to apply for Commission approval. Institutions or entities are required to apply for the current academic year.

Web link for physical presence definition.

No response provided

Does a clinical/internship trigger the requirement for authorization with your agency?

Yes

Does a virtual clinical / internship trigger the requirement for authorization with your agency?

Yes

Does a faculty member residing in your state and teaching an online course trigger the requirement for authorization with your agency?

No

Does advertising targeted to residents of your state trigger the requirement for authorization with your agency?

Yes

Does having an administrative site in your state trigger the requirement for authorization with your agency?

Yes

Does having a recruiter in your state trigger the requirement for authorization with your agency?

Yes

Clarifying comments:

For the purpose of distance education, should a Non-SARA institution or entity offer distance education to Mississippi residents, Commission approval is required. Initial and annual approval is required.

For the purpose of placements, field placements include but not limited to clinicals, internships, student teaching, practicum, field-based experiences, etc. in settings (e.g., hospitals, schools, businesses, etc.) in which candidates are working with patients, children, teachers, principals, etc. in Mississippi and are observed/assisted/evaluated by supervisors, preceptors, coaches, teachers, principals, or other individuals to determine that course and/or program requirements have been addressed. Institutions or entities offering field placements in Mississippi are required to apply for Commission approval. Institutions or entities are required to apply for the current academic year.