Tennessee Higher Education Commission

____      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 (There is an exemption applicable to some – see Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-7-2004(a)(6))

__X__    Private, in-state, for-profit degree granting institutions

__X__    Private, out-of-state, for-profit degree granting institutions

__X__    Public, in-state, non-degree granting institutions

__X__   

Private, in-state, not-for-profit degree granting institutions and private, out-of-state, not-for-profit degree granting institutions may be exempt pursuant to Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-7-2004(a)(6). Some religious institutions may be exempt pursuant to Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-7-2004(a)(4). THEC has not addressed authorization of tribally –controlled for federal institutions.

No. 

No response provided

No response provided

Regional Accreditation Required for:

____ Public, out-of-state degree granting institutions

____ Private, in-state, not-for-profit degree granting institutions

____ Private, out-of-state, not-for-profit degree granting institutions

____ Private, in-state, for-profit degree granting institutions

____ 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

No response provided

____ Institution _____ Program ___X__ Both

Institutions seeking regular authorization must apply for institution authorization and program approval. Institutions seeking optional expedited authorization (OEA) only apply for institution authorization. THEC maintains an inventory of OEA programs but does not approve the programs.

Yes. 

See Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-7-2013 for specific bond requirements.

Yes, Tennessee has a tuition guarantee fund – Tenn. Code Ann. § See 49-7-2018. The fund is available to students who reside in Tennessee or attend an authorized location with a Tennessee address.

Yes, see Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-7-2004 (https://advance.lexis.com/container?config=014CJAA5ZGVhZjA3NS02MmMzLTRlZWQtOGJjNC00YzQ1MmZlNzc2YWYKAFBvZENhdGFsb2e9zYpNUjTRaIWVfyrur9ud&crid=a6dd0989-2cdc-42ad-aff3-1ea912252481) and Rule 1540-01-02-.05 (https://publications.tnsosfiles.com/rules/1540/1540-01-02.20170321.pdf)

Physical presence is always considered; however, physical presence in Tennessee does not include merely enrolling a student into a distance education program.

Yes , physical presence is always considered.

No response provided

Physical presence is always considered; however, physical presence in Tennessee does not include merely enrolling a student into a distance education program.

No response provided

"Physical presence” means presence within the state of Tennessee for the purpose of conducting activity related to a postsecondary educational institution as given in T.C.A. § 49- 7-2007. Physical presence as further outlined for purposes of authorization shall include but not be limited to: (a) Operating an instructional site within the state; (b) Offering instruction within or originating from Tennessee designed to impart knowledge with response utilizing teachers, trainers, counselors or computer resources, computer linking, or any form of electronic means; (c) Granting an educational

Rule 1540-01-02-.03(42) - https://publications.tnsosfiles.com/rules/1540/1540-01-02.20170321.pdf

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To begin the authorization process you must complete an Initial Authorization Application and any related applications, such as New Program Applications or School Personnel Applications; pay all required fees; secure the required bonds; receive a successful site visit report; and meet all minimum standards.

Applications are considered by the Committee on Postsecondary Educational Institutions (CPEI) at its quarterly meetings. The Committee will vote as to whether to recommend approval of the institution and related programs to the Tennessee Higher Education Commission. Thereafter, the

Meeting dates: https://www.tn.gov/thec/news-and-events/public-meeting-notices/committee-of-postsecondary-educational-institutions.html

Applications: https://www.tn.gov/thec/bureaus/student-aid-and-compliance/postsecondary-state-authorization/dpsa-links-and-forms.html

No response provided

For regular authorization there is a $3000 initial authorization application fee and $500 per program application fee.

For Optional Expedited Authorization there is an annual $9000 application fee.

For regular authorization see Rule 1540-01-02-.25 (https://publications.tnsosfiles.com/rules/1540/1540-01-02.20170321.pdf)

For Optional Expedited Authorization see Rule 1540-01-10-.09 (https://publications.tnsosfiles.com/rules/1540/1540-01-10.20170321.pdf)

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All authorized institutions shall provide student-level statistical data on a Commission staff data form that will allow Commission staff to calculate the following statistical information by institution and program: (a) The enrollment count; (b) Demographic statistics; (c) Withdrawal rates; (d) Completion rates; (e) Number of credentials awarded; (f) Categories of credentials awarded; (g) Placement rates; (h) In-field placement rates; and (i) Average time to completion.

Data shall include all students enrolled at the institution between the twelve (12) months beginning July 1 and ending

See Rule 1540-01-02-.18 (https://publications.tnsosfiles.com/rules/1540/1540-01-02.20170321.pdf)

Yearly on October 15

THEC shall publish the results of its calculations on its website except that withdrawal, completion, placement, and in-field placement rates shall not be reported for programs with ten (10) or fewer students.

No response provided

THEC accepts complaints from anyone in regard to regularly authorized institutions. THEC accepts only student complaints against optionally expedited authorized institutions that have not been resolved at the institution level. THEC also accepts complaints regarding institutions authorized through the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA).

https://www.tn.gov/content/tn/thec/bureaus/student-aid-and-compliance/postsecondary-state-authorization/request-for-complaint-review.html

Process handled at THEC.

No response provided

No. 

• Contact Name Julie Woodruff
• Title Assistant Executive Director and Lead Attorney
• Agency Tennessee Higher Education Commission, DPSA
• Address
• Email
• Phone (615)741-5293
• URL

No response provided

THEC has not received a SARA complaint to date, but were we to receive one, we would investigate similarly to other complaints.

Process handled at THEC.

https://www.tn.gov/content/tn/thec/bureaus/student-aid-and-compliance/postsecondary-state-authorization/request-for-complaint-review.html

Contact Name Julie Woodruff

Title  Assistant Executive Director and Lead Attorney

Agency Tennessee Higher Education Commission, DPSA

Agency

Address

Email

Phone (615)741-5293

URL

No response provided

Generally, THEC can assess fines, change authorization to conditional or revoke authorization. See Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-7-2010, 2017 and 2022 (https://advance.lexis.com/container?config=014CJAA5ZGVhZjA3NS02MmMzLTRlZWQtOGJjNC00YzQ1MmZlNzc2YWYKAFBvZENhdGFsb2e9zYpNUjTRaIWVfyrur9ud&crid=a6dd0989-2cdc-42ad-aff3-1ea912252481) and Rule 1540-01-02-.22 (https://publications.tnsosfiles.com/rules/1540/1540-01-02.20170321.pdf)

Tennessee requires institution to retain transcripts indefinitely. When an institution closes THEC requests all transcripts since authorization and maintains transcript in a database managed by THEC.

• Agency Name Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC)
• Contact Person
• Contact Phone (615)741-5293
• Contact Address
• Contact Email
• Contact web site https://www.tn.gov/thec/bureaus/student-aid-and-compliance/postsecondary-state-authorization/academic-transcripts.html

No response provided