Ohio Department of Higher Education
Agency Contact
Additional Contact
1: Important Agency Information to Note
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).
__X__ 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
__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
- 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
For-profit entities must also be registered with the State Board of Career Colleges and Schools. Non-degree entities (non-public) may be required to register with the State Board of Career Colleges and Schools as well.
2: Authorization of Distance Education
- 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
No.
On-ground components (e.g. clinical, practicum, student teaching, internship) completed in Ohio trigger authorization (or SARA participation).
3: Accreditation by an Accrediting Agency Recognized by the U.S. Department of Education
Yes
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
_____ 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
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4: Physical Presence Policy
- The institution maintains a “brick and mortar” presence in Ohio
- The program contains a component (e.g., student teaching, clinical placement, practicum) that will be completed in Ohio; or
- The institution solicits Ohio residents for its programs (for-profit institutions only).
Does a virtual clinical / internship trigger the requirement for authorization with your agency?
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5: Application Process
Ohio has a paper review process for non-SARA participating institutions to seek state authorization. The institution can contact Matt Exline who will provide the forms, invoice for review fees, and review the actual application.
N/A contact Matt Exline
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6: Fees Associated with Authorization
Yes
Base Fee
- Associate: $3,000
- Baccalaureate: $3,000
- Master’s: $5,000
- Doctoral/Professional: $5,000
Assessed to every application
- Program Review Fee: $1,000
The base fee is only assessed to first program at each degree level
7: Surety Bonds
No
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8: Student Tuition Recovery Fund
Yes
For-profit institutions registered with the State Board of Career Colleges and Schools.
The Student Tuition Recovery Authority was created by in 1989 pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 3332.081, et seq. The purpose of the Student Tuition Recovery Authority is to protect students of any State Board of Career Colleges and Schools-registered school from pre-paid tuition loss due to school closure.
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9: Tuition Refund Policy
No, but the State Board of Career Colleges and Schools has a Tuition Recovery Fund for registered schools. Please see https://scr.ohio.gov/information-for-students/student-tuition-recovery-fund for more information.
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10: Reporting
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11: Enforcement
N/A; in the past, we have engaged the Ohio Attorney General’s office for cease-and-desist letters to be sent to entities not operating within Ohio law/rule.
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12: Student Complaints - Non-SARA Participating Institutions
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The State Board of Career Colleges and Schools also has a complaint process for schools under their purview. Here is a link to their complaint page: https://scr.ohio.gov/information-for-students/file-a-complaint
- Matt Exline
- Senior Director of Program Approval Operations
- Ohio Department of Higher Education
- 25 South Front Street, Columbus, OH 43215
- ODHE-Complaints@highered.ohio.gov
- 614-728-3095
- https://highered.ohio.gov/students/current-college-students/student-complaints/student-complaints
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13: Records Retention
ODHE requires submission of a Closure Plan (https://highered.ohio.gov/wps/wcm/connect/gov/8caf213a-ff90-4b5f-b2d8-ae8c75b0672f/Academic-Program-Review-Guidelines_070516.pdf?MOD=AJPERES&CONVERT_TO=url&CACHEID=ROOTWORKSPACE.Z18_M1HGGIK0N0JO00QO9DDDDM3000-8caf213a-ff90-4b5f-b2d8-ae8c75b0672f-on0XfeP, p. 65-66), which must include information on records retention. ODHE does not physically house transcripts. The State Board of Career Colleges and Schools will house transcripts for schools under their purview.
- State Board of Career Colleges and Schools
- John Ware
- (614) 466-2752
- 30 East Broad Street, Suite 2481
- Columbus, OH 43215
- https://scr.ohio.gov/information-for-students/file-a-complaint/6-file-a-complaint
- bpsr@scr.state.oh.us
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14: Additional Information
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Please note: There could be additional state agencies with oversight of activities of your institution.