State Authorization and Complaint Resolution
Overview
Online and distance education is an important part of Oregon State University's program offerings, with many students participating in federal financial aid. Recent amendments to the Higher Education Act of 1965 include changes in regulation for State Authorization that may impact online, distance, and correspondence education providers. The relevant language includes:
If an institution is offering postsecondary education through distance or correspondence education to students in a State in which it is not physically located or in which it is otherwise subject to State jurisdiction as determined by the State, the institution must meet any State requirements for it to be legally offering postsecondary distance or correspondence education in that State. An institution must be able to document to the Secretary the State's approval upon request.
(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1001 and 1002)
States Authorizations
OSU Ecampus is working in cooperation with the Department of Education and states' agencies to comply with required authorizations so that we can continue to provide educational access to students across the country. We are evaluating and working to comply with these various requirements and will provide up-to-date information when available.
Authorizations by States
Listed below are states in which OSU Ecampus has sought and received authorization to offer distance education or where we are currently in the process of obtaining authorization.
Alabama: Oregon University System is currently in the process of obtaining authorization to offer online education in Alabama.
Alaska: Ecampus has been authorized to offer distance education in Alaska.
Arizona: Ecampus is exempt from authorization to offer distance education in Arizona.
Arkansas: Ecampus is currently in the process of obtaining formal authorization to offer online education to students in Arkansas. Until that time and until further notice, Ecampus can admit no new students from Arkansas. Arkansas will allow currently admitted Ecampus students to continue taking courses.
California: Ecampus is exempt from authorization to offer distance education in California.
Colorado: Ecampus is exempt from authorization to offer distance education in Colorado.
Connecticut: No application is required from Ecampus to offer online education in Connecticut.
Delaware: Ecampus is in the process of obtaining authorization to offer distance education in Delaware.
District of Columbia: Ecampus has been authorized to offer distance education in District of Columbia.
Florida: No application is required from Ecampus to offer online education in Florida.
Georgia: Ecampus has been authorized to offer distance education in Georgia.
Hawaii: Ecampus is exempt from authorization to offer distance education in Hawaii.
Idaho: No application is required from Ecampus to offer online education in Idaho.
Illinois: Ecampus has been authorized to offer distance education in Illinois.
Indiana: Ecampus is exempt from authorization to offer distance education in Indiana.
Iowa: Ecampus is in the process of obtaining authorization to offer distance education in Iowa.
Kansas: Ecampus is in the process of obtaining authorization to offer distance education in Kansas.
Kentucky: Ecampus is in the process of obtaining authorization to offer distance education in Kentucky.
Louisiana: Ecampus has been authorized to offer distance education in Louisiana.
Maine: No application is required from Ecampus to offer online education in Maine.
Maryland: Oregon State University is now registered with the Commission to enroll Maryland students in the fully online distance education programs indicated, through June 30, 2013.
Massachusetts: Ecampus is in the process of obtaining authorization to offer distance education in Massachusetts.
Michigan: Ecampus is exempt from authorization to offer distance education in Michigan.
Minnesota: Ecampus is in the process of obtaining authorization to offer distance education in Minnesota.
Mississippi: Ecampus is exempt from authorization to offer distance education in Mississippi.
Missouri: Ecampus has been authorized to offer distance education in Missouri.
Montana: No application is required from Ecampus to offer online education in Montana.
Nebraska: No application is required from Ecampus to offer online education in Nebraska.
Nevada: Through the Oregon State University System, Ecampus has been authorized to offer distance education in Nevada.
New Hampshire: Ecampus is in the process of obtaining authorization to offer distance education in New Hampshire.
New Jersey: No application is required from Ecampus to offer online education in New Jersey.
New Mexico: Ecampus has been given a waiver from applying for authorization to offer distance courses in New Mexico until June 30, 2013.
New York: No application is required from Ecampus to offer online education in New York.
North Carolina: No application is required from Ecampus to offer online education in North Carolina.
North Dakota: Ecampus has been authorized to offer distance education in North Dakota.
Ohio: Ecampus is in the process of obtaining authorization to offer distance education in Ohio.
Oklahoma: No application is required from Ecampus to offer online education in Oklahoma.
Pennsylvania: Ecampus has been authorized to offer distance education in Pennsylvania.
Rhode Island: No application is required from Ecampus to offer online education in Rhode Island.
South Carolina: No application is required from Ecampus to offer online education in South Carolina.
South Dakota: Ecampus is exempt from authorization to offer distance education in South Dakota.
Tennessee: Ecampus is in the process of obtaining authorization to offer distance education in Tennessee.
Texas: Oregon State University is not regulated in Texas under Chapter 132 of the Texas Education Code. OSU and Extended Campus operates under the authority of the Oregon University System Chancellor and the Oregon State Board of Higher Education.
Utah: Ecampus has been authorized to offer distance education in Utah.
Vermont: No application is required from Ecampus to offer online education in Vermont.
Virginia: No application is required from Ecampus to offer online education in Virginia.
Washington: Ecampus is in the process of obtaining authorization to offer distance education in Washington.
West Virginia: No application is required from Ecampus to offer online education in Vermont.
Wisconsin: Ecampus is exempt from authorization to offer distance education in Wisconsin.
Wyoming: Ecampus has been authorized to offer distance education in Wyoming.
For further information contact: Department and Student Services (541) 737-9929
Complaint Resolution
In compliance with the language passed in the Higher Education Opportunities Act of 2008, the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE) conducted a Negotiated Rule Making Process in 2010, institutions offering distance education must provide enrolled and prospective students with contact information for filing complaints with its accrediting agency and with the appropriate state agency for handling complaints in the student's state. Below is information on OSU Extended Campus' accreditation agency, followed by a state-by-state list the agencies in each state responsible for complaints regarding out-of-state distance education programs.
OSU Extended Campus accreditation
Oregon State University is regionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). The Oregon State Board of Higher Education has authorized the University to offer undergraduate and graduate level certificates, baccalaureate, masters, doctorate, and first professional degrees. Information regarding complaint process can be found on their NWCCU website.
Complaint resolution contacts by state
These new regulations require us to provide prospective and current students with contact information for filing complaints with the appropriate agency in the state where the student resides. Please click on your state to be connected to the contact form should you have a complaint about OSU Extended Campus (Ecampus).
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
District of Columbia
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
More information
Program Integrity Issues; Final Rule
Amendments to title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 were finalized on October 29th, 2010. Read the Final ruling by the Department of Education.
WCET summary of requirements
WCET has compiled a summary of what states and institutions need to do to meet the new Federal Regulations.
