North Dakota University System
Agency Contact
Additional Contact
Secretary of State Contact
1: Important Agency Information to Note
- Home Page web link https://ndus.edu/
- Statutes and Regulations Page web link no link provided
- Authorization Information Page web link https://ndus.edu/state-authorization-sara/
- Application Information Page web link https://ndus.edu/state-authorization-sara/
- Renewal Information Page web link https://ndus.edu/state-authorization-sara/
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).
__X__ 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
__X__ 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
No response provided
2: Authorization of Distance Education
- Meaning as example, the state regulates an out-of-state institution for merely enrolling a student into a distance education program
- Meaning as example, a solely online program that does not have any internships and practicums
Yes
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3: Accreditation by an Accrediting Agency Recognized by the U.S. Department of Education
Yes
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
__X__ Religious institutions
__X__ Tribally-controlled institutions
_____ Federal Institutions
_____ Municipal institutions
All institutions must be accredited by national or regional accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education.
4: Physical Presence Policy
Physical presence includes a building, classroom or an office used to distribute education or marketing online classes.
No response provided
Does a virtual clinical / internship trigger the requirement for authorization with your agency?
Postsecondary institutions whose only physical presence in ND consists of students enrolled in practicums, internships, clinicals, or student teaching in this state are exempt.
No
Yes, advertising targeted to residents of your state does trigger the requirement for authorization with the agency. According to the ND century code, offering or advertising to instruct, educate, or enroll individuals in postsecondary educational programs in the state requires the institution to have a valid authorization from the board. This includes any solicitation, advertising, or contract related to educational services. Failure to comply with these requirements can lead to civil penalties or even criminal sanctions.
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If an institution has a physical presence in North Dakota – such as a classroom, building, or even an office, they need to get approval from the State Board of Higher Education, and information gathered is in more detail.
5: Application Process
Institution applications includes institution name, web address, location, type, contact information, accrediting agency information, sanctions/warnings, federal financial responsibility composite score, type of presence in ND, program licensure information, and application fee.
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6: Fees Associated with Authorization
Yes
- Institutions without physical presence/online only – new and renewal – $250
- Institutions with physical presence – new application - $4500
- Institutions with physical presence – renewal - $2000
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7: Surety Bonds
Yes
No response provided
If an institution has a physical presence in our state surety bonds are required. The SBHE may require bonds from postsecondary educational institutions for out-of-state institutions.
8: Student Tuition Recovery Fund
No
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9: Tuition Refund Policy
Yes
North Dakota University System institutions.
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10: Reporting
Institutions must complete an application which includes the institution name, web address, location, type, contact information, accrediting agency information, sanctions/warnings, federal financial responsibility composite score, type of presence in ND, program licensure information, and application fee.
Annually
No
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11: Enforcement
Institutions that are not in compliance with ND century code will be denied for the initial or renewal application.
No response provided
12: Student Complaints - Non-SARA Participating Institutions
If a student is a North Dakota resident attending a distance education program at a non-SARA institution in another state, the student will need to begin the complaint process at the institution they are attending. In the event that institutional processes do not result in a successful resolution of the student's complaint, the SARA Portal Agency of that state is responsible for the final resolution of the complaint.
No specific link. Information can be found under the Complaint Process heading under the web page https://ndus.edu/state-authorization-sara
No response provided
Every institution (private, for-profit, and public) is required to establish, publish, and enforce policies related to complaints and grievances.
Contact Name: Claire Gunwall
Title: Director of Academic Affairs
Agency: North Dakota University System
Address: 600 East Boulevard Ave, Dept 215, Bismarck, ND 58505-0230
Email: stateauth@ndus.edu
Phone: 701-328-4140
URL: https://ndus.edu/
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13: Records Retention
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Agency Name:
Contact Person:
Contact Phone:
Contact Address:
Contact Email:
Contact web site:
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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.