Mississippi Commission on College Accreditation

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_____    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
_____    Public, out-of-state, non-degree granting institutions
_____    Non-degree, not-for profit institutions
_____    Non-degree, for-profit institutions
__x__    Religious institutions
_____    Tribally-controlled institutions
_____    Federal Institutions
_____    Municipal institutions

____ Institution   _____ Program   ___X__ Both

Applies to academic degree-granting institutions that offer one or more postsecondary degree or instruction and are domiciled, incorporated, or otherwise located in Mississippi. Postsecondary academic degrees include, but are not limited to, associate, bachelor, masters, and doctorate degrees.

Some programs may require approval from another state agency before MCCA will consider institution/program approval (i.e., nursing, education).

Yes

Accreditation 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
__x__  Religious institutions
_____  Tribally-controlled institutions
_____  Federal Institutions
_____  Municipal institutions

MCCA recognizes  Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges,  Association for Biblical Higher Education accrediting commission,  Association of Theological Schools accrediting commission; Middle States Commission on Higher Education; New England Commission of Higher Education; Higher Learning Commission;  Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities; Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges; WASC Senior College and University Commission.

Yes

Career/occupational schools and colleges subject to regulation under Section 75-60-1 et seq. (Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-241(7))

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Not currently.

Yes

No

If domiciled, incorporated, or otherwise located in the state, MCCA approval required.  Examples of triggers for otherwise located include, but are not limited to:

1.  The institution maintains a telephone number with a Mississippi area code;
2. The institution maintains a postal address (either physical or PO Box) with a Mississippi zip code;
3. The institution maintains an internet URL that originates in Mississippi or utilizes an ISP that is based in Mississippi
4. The institution advertises that a future institution will be domiciled, incorporated, or otherwise located in Mississippi

If domiciled, incorporated, or otherwise located in the state, MCCA approval required.  Examples of triggers for otherwise located include, but are not limited to

1.  The institution maintains a telephone number with a Mississippi area code;
2. The institution maintains a postal address (either physical or PO Box) with a Mississippi zip code;
3. The institution maintains an internet URL that originates in Mississippi or utilizes an ISP that is based in Mississippi
4. The institution advertises that a future institution will be domiciled, incorporated, or otherwise located in Mississippi

http://www.mississippi.edu/mcca/ “Addressing Federal Online/Distance Requirements”

http://www.mississippi.edu/mcca/downloads/federal-online-ed-requirements.pdf

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Follow SARA policy

Refer to Commission on Proprietary School and College Registration if the issue involves a SARA participating career/occupational school; and follow SARA policy.

http://www.mississippi.edu/mcca/student_complaint_process.asp

• Contact Name: Dr. Casey Prestwood
• Title: IHL Associate Commissioner for Academic and Student Affairs and Secretary for MCCA
• Agency: Mississippi Commission on College Accreditation
• Address: 3825 Ridgewood Road
• Email: cprestwood@mississippi.edu
• Phone: 601-432-6501
• URL: http://www.mississippi.edu/mcca/sara.asp

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If complaint relates to an out-of-state institution not authorized by MCCA, direct complaint to the authorizing/licensing agency in the institution’s home state or to the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division

Complaints about career/occupational schools in the State will be referred to the Commission on Proprietary School and College Registration. Otherwise, if within the jurisdiction of MCCA, MCCA will facilitate an investigation. Depending upon the nature of the complaint, the matter may be referred to the Mississippi AG’s Consumer Protection Division.

If complaint relates to an out-of-state institution not authorized by MCCA, direct complaint to the authorizing/licensing agency in the institution’s home state or to the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division

• Contact Name: Dr. Casey Prestwood
• Title: IHL Associate Commissioner for Academic and Student Affairs and Secretary for MCCA
• Agency: Mississippi Commission on College Accreditation
• Address: 3825 Ridgewood Road
• Email: cprestwood@mississippi.edu
• Phone: 601-432-6501
• URL: http://www.mississippi.edu/mcca/sara.asp

http://www.mississippi.edu/mcca/student_complaint_process.asp

MCCA, CPSCR, and the AG are the primary/central contacts for complaints.

Not currently.

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Institutions are required to have a tuition refund policy that is fair and applied equitably.

All institutions authorized by MCCA.

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No

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Progress and/or status reports, accreditation documentation, and other reports annually or as requested by the Commission, which could include reports on enrollment and graduation and financial reports.

Annually or as requested by the Commission.

Enrollment and graduation data could be shared as part of the State’s Education Achievement Council report/records

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Authorization may be refused, revoked, or suspended for proof of violation of the standards, regulations, policies, and procedures.

http://www.mississippi.edu/mcca/ (Procedures, Section 5, Institutions in violation of standards, regulations, policies and procedures, page 20 of Standards document)

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http://www.mississippi.edu/mcca/ Procedures to Apply (Section 5, page 17 of Standards document)

Submit a written request for an application packet via regular mail and include a non-refundable fee of $100 to: Mississippi Commission on College Accreditation, 3825 Ridgewood Road, Jackson, MS  39211

As part of the application process, if not already incorporated or qualified to do business in the State, apply to the Mississippi Secretary of State for Articles of Incorporation or, in the case of a non-domestic corporation, a Certificate of Authority; and submit to the Commission a copy of such Articles or Certificate.

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Yes

$100 application packet to begin application process

$3,000 submitted with complete application

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Institution officials are required to notify MCCA of the arrangements made for the location/management of student records including evidence of disposition of student records, with a contact person, complete address and telephone number/email address and instructions for how student records may be obtained.

Academic degree-granting institutions are required to provide MCCA with the contact information for the entity that will be storing/managing the student records and instructions that a student should use  to request a transcript from that entity.  The entity’s contact information and instructions are placed on MCCA’s website (http://www.mississippi.edu/mcca, Closed School Transcript Request)

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Career/occupational schools register with the Mississippi Commission on Proprietary School and College Registration