Section 250-61-151 - Disclosure requirements(1) The institution shall make the following disclosures to the council. (a) The institution shall disclose to the council any adverse action against the institution and any investigation by an oversight entity within thirty days of the institution's first knowledge of the action or investigation.(i) The disclosure must include information about the nature of the adverse action or investigation and any additional documents or materials requested by the council.(ii) Failure to report an adverse action or an investigation by an oversight entity may result in suspension or withdrawal of the authorization granted.(b) The institution shall disclose to the council any changes in the institution's operations that are inconsistent with the requirements of this chapter or that may impair the institution's ability to satisfy any requirement of this chapter within thirty days of the institution's first knowledge of the change. (i) The disclosure must include information about the nature of the changes in the institution's operations and any additional documents or materials requested by the council.(ii) The institution shall have a reasonable opportunity to address or correct any deficiencies within a time period specified by the council.(2) The institution shall make the following disclosures to current and prospective students. (a) Any catalog or website that is made available to students describing the educational services offered shall prominently feature the following statement upon the granting of authorization: "(Name of institution) is authorized by the Washington student achievement council (the council) and meets the requirements and minimum educational standards established for degree-granting institutions under the Degree-Granting Institutions Act. This authorization is subject to periodic review and authorizes (name of institution) to offer specific degree programs. The council may be contacted for a list of currently authorized programs. Authorization by the council does not carry with it an endorsement by the council of the institution or its programs. Any person desiring information about the requirements of the act or the applicability of those requirements to the institution may contact the council at P.O. Box 43430, Olympia, Washington 98504-3430 or by email at degreeauthorization@wsac.wa.gov."(b) An institution granted authorization shall make the following statement regarding transferability available to all students: "The transferability of credits earned at (name of institution) is at the discretion of the receiving college, university, or other educational institution. Students considering transferring to any institution should not assume that credits earned in any program of study at (name of institution) will be accepted by the receiving institution. Similarly, the ability of a degree, certificate, diploma, or other academic credential earned at (name of institution) to satisfy an admission requirement of another institution is at the discretion of the receiving institution. Accreditation does not guarantee credentials or credits earned at (name of institution) will be accepted by or transferred to another institution. To minimize the risk of having to repeat coursework, students should contact the receiving institution in advance for evaluation and determination of transferability of credits and/or acceptability of degrees, diplomas, or certificates earned."(c) The institution shall disclose the availability of the student complaint portal in all sections of the institutional catalog and web site containing information about complaints or complaint processes, or in a manner and location otherwise directed by the council.(d) The institution shall disclose the availability of the student loan advocate in all sections of the institutional catalog and web site containing information about financial aid, or in a manner and location otherwise directed by law or by the council.(e) Programs leading to licensure. The institution shall provide written disclosure to students and prospective students whether courses or programs potentially leading to licensure or post-licensure requirements meet such requirements in the state in which the student or prospective student is located. After making all reasonable efforts to make such a determination, the institution, if unsuccessful, may notify the student or prospective student in writing that the institution cannot confirm whether the course or program meets the requirements for licensure in the state in which the student or prospective student is located, provide the student or prospective student with current contact information for any applicable licensing boards, and advise the student or prospective student to determine whether the program meets licensure requirements in the state in which the student or prospective student is located.(f) An institution granted a temporary waiver of the requirement for accreditation that has not yet acquired candidacy status with an accrediting association recognized by the council and the U.S. Department of Education shall affirm that prospective students have read and understood the following statement prior to any student enrollment: "(Name of institution) is not accredited by an accrediting association recognized by the United States Department of Education and the Washington student achievement council. (Name of institution) has been granted a temporary waiver from Washington state's accreditation requirement based on submission of a plan for accreditation with (name of accrediting agency)." (g) An institution granted a temporary waiver of the requirement for accreditation that has acquired candidacy status with an accrediting association recognized by the council and the U.S. Department of Education shall affirm that prospective students have read and understood the following statement prior to any student enrollment: "(Name of institution) has been granted Candidate for Accreditation status by (name of accrediting association). Candidacy is not accreditation nor does it ensure eventual accreditation. "Candidate for Accreditation" is a status of affiliation with the (name of accrediting association) which indicates that the institution has achieved initial recognition and is progressing towards accreditation." An alternate statement required by the institution's accrediting association may be substituted with the council's prior approval.Wash. Admin. Code § 250-61-151
Adopted by WSR 19-03-020, Filed 1/4/2019, effective 2/4/2019Amended by WSR 20-07-008, Filed 3/5/2020, effective 4/5/2020