THE STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT /THE UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK/ALBANY NY 12230
DEPUTY COMMISSIONER FOR HIGHER AND PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION

CEO # 94-04
January 1994

SUBJECT: Prior Approval Required for Agreements between a Degree-Granting Institution and a Non-Degree-Granting Entity Concerning the Offering of a Registered Degree Program
 

The Regents and the State Education Department support cooperative initiatives by colleges and universities to expand educational opportunities and access for students and to make the most effective use of institutional resources. In recent years, some degree-granting institutions have entered into agreements to offer their registered programs with the involvement of a non-degree-granting entity, either in or outside New York State. The purpose of this memorandum is to remind institutions of the need to submit for prior Department review information about such contemplated arrangements to assure continued compliance with the Regulations of the Commissioner. Students are eligible for State and Federal financial assistance only when enrolled in a registered program offered as approved by the Department.

Cooperative initiatives traditionally have involved either articulation agreements between two-year and four-year degree-granting institutions or the joint offering of academic degree programs by two degree-granting institutions. Articulation agreements do not need Department review or approval; however, offering joint academic degree programs requires Department approval. Other arrangements include offering registered programs with a clinical component or internship that involves an external facility or agency. In such cases, the arrangement with an external entity is an integral part of the program from the time of initial registration. These types of cooperative activities are not the subject of this memorandum.

Section 52.1 (h) of Commissioner's Regulations requires new registration for "any existing curriculum in which major changes are made that affect its title, focus, design, requirements for completion, or mode of delivery." Using the services of a non-degree-granting entity in the implementation or administration of any of a college’s existing registered degree programs when the arrangement was not part of the original program as registered may be a major change in the mode of delivery of the registered program and requires the Department’s review before implementation.

Please use the attached form to initiate the review of contemplated arrangements between your institution and a non-degree-granting entity involving credit-bearing courses in programs registered at your institution. For existing arrangements that were not submitted for Department approval, this form and a copy of any written agreement should be submitted no later than March 4, 1994. Our review will determine whether further registration action by the Department is necessary.

Attachment
cc: Provost
Vice President for Academic Affairs
Financial Aid Officer

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