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2004 SESSION

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HB 36 Higher educational institutions; approval of degree programs.

Introduced by: Beverly J. Sherwood | all patrons    ...    notes | add to my profiles

SUMMARY AS INTRODUCED:

Approval of certain institutions of higher education. Provides that nonpublic institutions of higher education that have been approved by the State Council of Higher Education (SCHEV) to operate in Virginia and confer degrees at a specific level before July 1, 2004, are not required to obtain subsequent SCHEV approval unless the approval was revoked or the institution desires to confer degrees at a level other than that previously approved. Technical amendments track the language in current subdivision A 4 to clarify that subsequent approval is necessary for new degree levels as well as new degree programs.

The current "grandfather clause" extends this benefit to private institutions for which SCHEV had approved specific degree levels before July 1, 1980. Since that date, several nonpublic institutions, such as Shenandoah University, Hampton University, Sweet Briar College, and Hollins University, have been granted SCHEV approval to confer advanced degrees. These institutions, and others, have been required by law and SCHEV regulations to seek annual certification and approval.

Emergency regulations issued by SCHEV in July 2003 impose fees for this annual certification; the annual fees are $2,500 and $6,000 for accredited and nonaccredited private institutions, respectively (Schedule A, 8 VAC 40-31-30 et seq.). The emergency regulations state that, in considering an institution's application for certification, SCHEV cannot "take into account either duplication of effort by public and private institutions in Virginia or need within the Commonwealth for the course for degree credit, program of study, or degree program for which certification is sought" (8 VAC 40-31-190).


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