[State_authorization_update] North Carolina application process

[Stone, Kia]

Good afternoon everyone,

We have a program that is interested in starting the authorization process for authorization in North Carolina.
This application is only for online and on-the-ground (face-to-face) programs that have field experiences included in their curriculum.

If you are interested in approval for your program in North Carolina, please get back to me no later than September 9, 2015 by email. I have attached some links and information below that list what the state is requiring from the institution and the state's regulations that support their requests.

I will be making the initial contact and completing the application; however, I will need some assistance from program staff to get specific program/faculty information.
The initial cost for the application is $5,000, that fee will be divided between all of the programs that apply. In addition to the application fee, each program is responsible to pay accordingly:
Courses            $500
Associate          $1,000
Bachelor's         $1,500
Master's           $2,000
Doctoral/First Professional $3,000

The process will take approximately 12 months, so we would like to get this application filed with the state as soon as possible.

The process for licensing is an extensive one. It begins with the chief executive officer or designee of a prospective applicant institution requesting a preliminary conference with UNC General Administration staff to review the standards and procedures for applying for licensure. The preliminary conference takes place in North Carolina and any combination of the following may attend the meeting: President/Chancellor, Provost, Dean/Chair of degree program being submitted, Distance Ed Chair, Legal Counsel, and Compliance/Institutional Effectiveness along with the Coordinator of Compliance and Quality Assurance.
If a potential applicant institution concludes that it meets the standards, the chief executive officer submits to UNC General Administration, a letter of formal application accompanied by documentation that the institution complies with and is capable of maintaining standards for an extended period sufficient for a student to complete his/her program of study.

Staff review the application and documentation and then visit the main campus of the applicant institution, as well as any other proposed degree activity sites. Each site must meet licensure requirements on a stand-alone basis.

The purpose of the team visit is to confirm that documentation submitted by the institution meets the 15 minimum standards and other requirements of the Board. The standards devote considerable attention to adequacy of the proposed programs of study, methods of instructional delivery, faculty, library, facilities, and financial condition.

The team of examiners is composed of staff (ex-officio); faculty members representative of public and private sectors, with appropriate levels and fields of expertise; administrators; and other specialty persons necessary for a sound examination. One member is appointed chairperson with responsibility for leading the examination and preparing the team's report of its findings and recommendations.

Costs connected with the examination and subsequent visits are paid by the institution. Visits usually are two days in duration depending on sites visited. On completion of a visit, the team submits its report and recommendations. The concluding recommendation is one of the following: (1) issue a license, (2) issue license subject to completion of conditions, or (3) deny licensure. All recommendations are advisory to the UNC President, who recommends final action to the Board of Governors. (Usually institutions withdraw their application for licensure if denial is anticipated, which accounts for few denials going before the Board.)

Once licensed, an institution is subject to review visits at any time to determine whether the institution continues to meet standards. Review shall always occur: (1) two years after licensure, (2) if the institution is legally reconstituted, or (3) if ownership changes.

Each licensed institution submits an annual report to staff concerning matters such as enrollment, financial stability, prepaid tuition bond updating, and compliance with maintenance of all standards.

The authorization is ongoing, contingent upon the institution submitting appropriate annual reports, submitting annual licensure fees for existing programs, and continuing to maintain compliance with all licensure standards, as verified in follow-up site visits to the North Carolina location(s).


I have provided web links to the specific references to all applicable state laws, regulations, manuals, forms, or other pertinent documents:
Licensing Rules and Standards <http://www.northcarolina.edu/sites/default/files/rules_standards_master_updated_1-08_licensing_process.pdf>
Licensing Fee Structure <http://www.northcarolina.edu/sites/default/files/new_fee_structure_10-0611_for_licensing.pdf>
http://www.northcarolina.edu/?q=licensure-non-public-or-out-state-institutions/licensing-process



Thanks!

Kia

Kia D. Stone, M.S.
Coordinator of Compliance and Quality Assurance
[QM Implemenation Logo]  Quality Matters Coordinator
Ohio University
740.593.2558



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