Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education
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1: Important Agency Information to Note
The OSRHE is the coordinating board for public degree-granting institutions and the state authorization entity for all degree-granting institutions in Oklahoma. Non-degree granting institutions are licensed by the Oklahoma Board of Private Vocational Schools.
2: Types of Educational Providers Authorized
__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 – degree-granting, unless they are exempt as per Clarifying Comments below.
_____ Tribally-controlled institutions
_____ Federal Institutions
_____ Municipal institutions
__X__ Institution _____ Program _____ Both
Independent, degree-granting non-profit institutions domiciled in Oklahoma and participating in the Oklahoma Tuition Equalization Grant (OTEG) program (a state student scholarship program) are exempt from authorization statute (70 O.S. Section 4103; 70 O.S. Section 2632).
3: Accreditation
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 - degree granting
_____ Tribally-controlled institutions
_____ Federal Institutions
_____ Municipal institutions
State statute requires institutions to be accredited by a USDE-recognized institutional accreditor to conduct degree-related activity in Oklahoma.
4: Exemptions
Independent, degree-granting non-profit institutions domiciled in Oklahoma who participate in the OTEG program (see Topic 2 Clarifying Comments) are exempt. Out-of-state institutions offering online-only programs in the state do not require authorization. No degree-granting institution or activity is exempt from accreditation requirements.
Institutions offering non-degree programs are licensed separately by the Oklahoma Board of Private Vocational Schools. If an institution offers both degree- and non-degree programs, it must be authorized by both agencies.
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5: Authorization of Distance Education
No
Yes
No
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6: Physical Presence Policy
1. The private or out-of-state public institution offers college level credit in the state that leads to an academic degree, including:
- Establishing a physical location in the State of Oklahoma for students to receive synchronous or asynchronous instruction;
- Requiring students to physically meet at a location in the State of Oklahoma for institutional purposes that comprise more than two (2) class periods equivalent to six (6) hours; or
- Providing an offering in the nature of a short course or seminar, if instruction for the short course or seminar is greater than twenty (20) contact hours.
2. The private institution or out-of-state public institution establishes an administration office in the state including:
- Maintaining an administrative office in the State of Oklahoma for the purpose of providing information to prospective students or the general public about the institution, enrolling students, or providing services to enrolled students;
- Providing office space to instructional or non-instructional staff; or
- Establishing an institutional mailing address, post-office box, street address, or phone number in the State of Oklahoma.
Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education Institutional Accreditation and State Authorization policy (3.1)
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7: Student Complaints - SARA Participating Institutions
Students can report complaints to the State Regents after exhausting the institutional complaint/appeal process.
Complaints about institutions authorized by OSRHE are handled by OSRHE.
The person who receives SARA-participating institution complaints:
Name: Ms. Elizabeth Walker
Title: Coordinator for Academic Affairs Administration
Agency: Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education
Address: 655 Research Parkway, Suite 200, Oklahoma City OK 73104
Email: lwalker@osrhe.edu
Phone: 405-225-9154
URL: https://www.okhighered.org/current-college-students/complaints.shtml
The person listed above is the resource only for complaints of students attending an institution under SARA. The person who handles non-SARA related complaints is listed below.
8: Student Complaints - Non-SARA Participating Institutions
Students can report complaints to the OSRHE after exhausting the institutional complaint/appeal process.
Complaints about institutions authorized by OSRHE are handled by OSRHE.
No
OSRHE contact for non-SARA related complaints:
Contact Name: Ms. Lindsay Echols
Title: Executive Director for Campus Compact and Director of Student Affairs and Diversity
Agency: Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education
Address: 655 Research Parkway, Suite 200, Oklahoma City, OK 73104
Email: lechols@osrhe.edu
Phone: 405-225-9128
URL: https://www.okhighered.org/current-college-students/complaints.shtml
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9: Surety Bonds
No
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10: Tuition Refund Policy
Yes
All authorized institutions are required to have a tuition refund policy detailed in the student catalogue.
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11: Student Tuition Recovery Fund
No
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12: Reporting
Institutions must report in-state enrollment information annually. Institutions must also comply with the reporting requirements found under section 3.1.E. of the OSRHE Institutional Accreditation and State Authorization policy.
Annually
Yes
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This information is presented to the OSRHE at a public meeting and the presentation item is publicly available on the OSRHE website.
13: Enforcement
The authorization to operate as a degree granting institution may be denied, revoked, or non-renewed when a private institution or out-of-state public institution fails to meet or comply with any portion of policy section 3.1.4. When State Regents’ staff recommends for an institution’s authorization to be denied, revoked, or non-renewed, its due process rights will be governed and limited by 75 O.S., §314 (2001), and any pertinent amendments. Those provisions of the Oklahoma Administrative Procedures Act (APA) pertaining to individual proceedings, 75 O.S. §309 (2001), et seq., are not applicable to State Regents' state authorization decisions.
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14: Application Process
Institutions must fill out an application for authorization.
To request more information on authorization of degree-granting institution or an application packet, contact Ms. Elizabeth Walker, lwalker@osrhe.edu.
15: Fees Associated with Authorization
No
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16: Records Retention
N/A
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17: Additional Information
OSRHE state authorization policy is subject to change; institutions offering online-only degree programs in Oklahoma should contact the OSRHE at least annually to ensure they are still operating within state law and OSRHE policy.
Contact:
Ms. Elizabeth Walker
Coordinator for Academic Affairs Administration
lwalker@osrhe.edu