Minnesota Office of Higher Education

Indicate the types of institutions that your agency authorizes. 

• Note: Some agencies may refer to out-of-state public institutions as “private colleges” in their law.  If this is the case for your agency, please select “public, out-of-state degree granting institutions” for purposes of this Guide so that the out-of-state public institution will find appropriate information.
• Note: If your agency is a coordinating board, your agency may have one division with some authority such as program approval over in-state public institutions that are established per statute, which is structured differently than another division of your agency with state authorization authority over non-public institutions that they “license” pursuant to different statute(s).

_____   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
__X__  Public, out-of-state, non-degree granting institutions
__X__  Non-degree, not-for profit institutions
__X__  Non-degree, for-profit institutions
__X__  Religious institutions
__X__  Tribally-controlled institutions
__X__  Federal Institutions
__X__  Municipal institutions

• For example, an agency may require an institution apply for licensure for institutional approval and also require the institution to apply for specific program(s) approval.

____ Institution   

_____ Program   

__X__ Both

We only regulate tribal colleges if they participate in state financial aid programs.  Religious institutions must qualify for an exemption from authorization.  Only some seminaries qualify for this limited exemption.

• Meaning as example, the state regulates an out-of-state institution for merely enrolling a student into a distance education program
• Meaning as example, a solely online program that does not have any internships and practicums

Both

Yes for degree-granting institutions

No for non-degree granting institutions

Physical presence can be triggered by sending recruiters to MN, have on-ground internships or clinical experiences, and advertising in the state.

Yes: for non-degree granting institutions.

No: for degree-granting institutions

Both

OHE does not distinguish between national and regional accreditation. OHE does require institutional accreditation (so hybrid accreditation is allowed if all degree-programs are accredited). Exempt institutions, including religious institutions, are not required to have accreditation.

Accreditation by an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education 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
__X__ 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
_____ Religious institutions
_____ Tribally-controlled institutions
_____ Federal Institutions
_____ Municipal institutions

Accreditation is required for degree-granting institutions, not for non-degree granting institutions.

No distinction between national and regional accreditation- accreditation must be institutional accreditation.

Degree granting institutions: “All schools located within Minnesota and all schools located outside Minnesota which offer degree programs or courses within Minnesota shall register annually with the office.” Minn. Stat. 136A.63

Non-degree granting institutions: “A private career school must not maintain, advertise, solicit for, administer, or conduct any program in Minnesota without first obtaining a license from the office.” Minn. Stat. 136A.822 subd. 1.

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/136A.63

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/136A.822

Does a virtual clinical / internship trigger the requirement for authorization with your agency? 

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OHE has had to develop a test to determine whether a degree-granting institution is located in Minnesota (as to deal with issues of diploma mills or schools using a PO Box to establish location).  Factors include administrative services location, office space (not just by the hour), and board member and meeting location.

Applications for programs, institution information (including ownership information), faculty information, locations, financial information, and accreditation information.

https://mn.edvera.com for degree granting and https://www.ohe.state.mn.us/mPg.cfm?pageID=204 for non-degree granting

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Fee schedule is based on number and type of academic programs.

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https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/136A.69 and https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/136A.824

We ask that schools ask our office to calculate total fees as most schools over-calculate what the total cost would be.

Both

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There are surety requirements for all non-degree granting institutions and degree-granting institutions if the schools is on HCM1 or LOC status with the USDOE.

No, but OHE utilizes surety requirements. They are mandatory for all non-degree granting institutions, but triggered for degree granting institutions based of financial responsibility.

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Yes, only for non-degree granting institutions.

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https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/136A.64

Annually.

No. 

https://mn.edvera.com

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https://www.ohe.state.mn.us/mPg.cfm?pageID=1078

https://www.ohe.state.mn.us/pdf/ComplaintForm.pdf

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The process is handled within OHE, except for in-state public institutions.  Those complaints are referred to the appropriate entity.

• Contact Name: Kate McCartan
• Title: Institutional Monitoring Specialist
• Agency: Minnesota Office of Higher Education
• Address: 1450 Energy Park Drive, Suite 350, St. Paul, MN 55108
• Email: kate.mccartan@state.mn.us
• Phone: 651-259-3912
• URL:

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Minnesota requires a school to provide a copy (or the originals, if paper and only one is available) of all transcripts prior to closing or leaving the state.  Minnesota has a required retention schedule/plan for all schools.  Many of these plans include a surety bond that Minnesota will not released until Minnesota receives the transcripts.  Minnesota retains transcripts for 50 years.

• Agency Name: Minnesota Office of Higher Education
• Contact Person: Brian Geraghty
• Contact Phone: 651-259-3976
• Contact Address: 1450 Energy Park Drive, Suite 350, St. Paul, MN 55108
• Contact Email: brian.geraghty@state.mn.us
• Contact web site: https://www.ohe.state.mn.us/mPg.cfm?pageID=1190

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Please note: There could be additional state agencies with oversight of activities of your institution.