WCET Annual Meeting Presentation

1. State Authorization from A-Z

2. Welcome
Joel Tobin Sharyl Thompson
Franklin University American College of Education
Accreditation & Institutional Regulatory Affairs &
Effectiveness Compliance
• Nonprofit, private institution • For-profit, private institution
• Online & campus-based programs • Online programs
• Associate, Bachelor, and Master • M.Ed degrees
degrees • Certificate programs
• Students enrolled nationwide

3. Purpose of Presentation
• Share experiences and best practices for the completion
of state authorization applications
• Describe effective processes and procedures for
maintaining and renewing state authorizations
• Provide insights and recommendations on approaches
for successful navigation of the state authorization
environment

4. What do YOU want to learn today?

5. Ideal State Authorization Team

6. Getting Started
• Review relevant statutes and regulations
– “IT DEPENDS” on type of institution, delivery formats, level of activities
• Compare multiple sources of information
• Create your own spreadsheet/table to track information
• Build and foster internal and external relationships
Review Compare Create Build

7. Review Statutes and Regulations
• Definitions
• “Triggers” for physical presence or operations
– Facilities, infrastructure and technology
– Practica, internships/externships, independent study
– Proctors, tutors, mentors, preceptors
– Marketing initiatives
– Recruiting initiatives
• Exemptions
• Licensure programs with curricula or requirements dictated by
state professional licensing boards, e.g. education, nursing,
social work
Review

8. Review Statutes and Regulations
• Understand each state’s terminology
• Adjust your terminology to match that state
Advertising
Review

9. Compare Sources of Information
• SHEEO State Authorization Inventory
• WICHE Cooperative for Educational Technologies (WCET)
• SAN (State Authorization Network) group websites
• UmassOnline and USG websites and databases
• EduVentures survey
• Other sources for purchase
Compare

10. Strategic Decisions Regarding State Authorization
• Number of students
• State expenses (initial, annual, bonds, etc.)
• Cost of not serving existing students
• Cost of monitoring and maintaining
• Cost of personnel

11. Create Tracking Documents
Program Authorization Status by State_2.2.12
States and U.S. Territories
Program Name Degree AL AK AZ AR CA CO CT DE
Applied Management B.S. A A A R A A A A
Applied Psychology B.S. A A A R A A A A
Business Administration B.S. A A A R A A A A
Business Economics B.S. A A A R A A A A
Business Forensics B.S. A A A R A A A A
Communications B.S. P A A R A A A A
Computer Science B.S. A A A R A A A A
Criminal Justice Administration B.S. P A A R A A A A
Codes:
Fully authorized in the state A
Fully authorized in the state; periodic renewal required R Create
Pending authorization in state P

12. Create Tracking Documents
Status
Original Exempt by Exempt by
State Authorization confirmation regs/interp Other
Georgia 7/7/2011
Hawaii 4/14/2011
Idaho 5/15/2011
Illinois 4/4/2000
Indiana - IN 7/15/2009
Indiana - OH 6/2/2009
Create

13. Build and Foster Relationships: External
Regulators
• Be prepared before calling or emailing state higher education
agencies
• Ask specific questions; provide relevant context
• Always be courteous and professional
• Document all communication with state higher education agencies
• Remember that some states have more than one regulatory agency
Professional Activities
• Attend hearings and meetings (federal, state, agency)
• Serve on state/national task forces
• Represent institution at meetings (CHEA, AICUO) & conferences
(HLC, WCET)
• Network among agencies and institutions Build

14. Build and Foster Relationships: Internal
• Maintain regular
communication with
Regulatory marketing, financial aid,
Office
academics, registrar, and
enrollment, human
resources, finance,
assessment departments
• Need information on library resources, facilities,
advising, student services, technology
• Know institution’s strategic or growth plan
Build

15. Maintaining Compliance
• Marketing
• Catalog/Bulletin
• Consumer Information/Disclaimers
• Enrollment
• Monitor changes in regulations

16. Maintaining Compliance
• Maintaining authorizations
– New program approvals
– Renewals
– Enrollment/revenue reporting
– Surety bond updates
– Agent license renewals
• Maintaining exemptions
– Fees, enrollment reporting, reapplication
• Develop a system of regular review

18. Thank you for your time and attention
Joel Tobin Sharyl Thompson
Accreditation & Institutional Regulatory Affairs & Compliance
Effectiveness
American College of Education
Franklin University 101 W. Ohio Street, Suite 1200
201 S. Grant Avenue Indianapolis, Indiana 46204
Columbus, Ohio 43215
sharyl.thompson@ace.edu
joel.tobin@franklin.edu
317.829.9384
641.947.6694