W. Va. Code R. § 133-20-3
Current through Register Vol. XLI, No. 50, December 13, 2024
Section 133-20-3 - Definitions3.1. "Academic credit" means the certification of a student's successful completion of a unit of a course of study leading to a formal award granted by an institution approved to offer a collegiate degree such as an associate, baccalaureate, masters or doctorate degree.3.2. "Accreditation" means a status attained by the institution through voluntarily meeting standards set by a nongovernmental entity recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education.3.3. "Authorization" means the status attained by the institution that allows the institution to offer programs and courses within the State of West Virginia. This status is granted by the Higher Education Policy Commission when the institution demonstrates compliance with the requirements for such status.3.4. "Commission" means the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission.3.5. "Council" means the West Virginia Council for Community and Technical College Education.3.6. "Course" means a formally organized, structured series of instructional activities open to the general public for which a fee is charged, and for which credit toward a degree either is awarded or may reasonably be understood to be applicable to a degree with the intent of imparting information or understanding at a level appropriate to a postsecondary audience. Instruction may be in face-to-face meetings or delivered electronically or by other means.3.7. "Degree" means any earned award conferred by a higher educational institution which represents satisfactory completion of the requirements of a program, or course of study, or any instruction beyond or apart from the secondary level of greater duration than eleven months of full-time study.3.8. "Degree program" means a curriculum or course of study of greater duration than eleven months of full-time study in a discipline or field that leads to a degree.3.9. "Distance education" means the delivery of any course or degree programs by synchronous or asynchronous technology. Asynchronous or synchronous technology via distance delivery includes all forms of internet, electronic, digital, online, video, and any other technology driven delivery system. 3.10. "Institution" means any person, firm, corporation, association, agency, institute, trust or other entity of any nature whatsoever offering education beyond the secondary level which: 3.10.a. offers courses or programs of study or instruction which lead to or which may reasonably be understood to be applicable toward a baccalaureate, masters, doctorate, or other specialized certification/degree designation above the baccalaureate level; or3.10.b. operates a facility as a college or university or other entity which offers degrees or other indicia of a level of educational attainment beyond the secondary school level; or3.10.c. uses the term "college" or "university," or words of like meaning, in its name or in any manner in connection with its academic affairs or business.3.11. "Physical presence" means an actual presence in the state, online or on-site, for the purpose of conducting activity related to: a postsecondary educational institution; educational service; dissemination of educational credentials; enrollment, solicitation or advertising. Physical presence as further outlined for purposes of authorization shall include but not be limited to: 3.11.a. An instructional site within the state.3.11.b. Dissemination of an educational credential from a location within the state.3.11.c. An agent, whether compensated or not, who is utilized for the purpose of administering, coordinating, teaching, training, tutoring, counseling, advising, recruiting, or any other activity on behalf of the sponsoring institution.3.11.d. Advertising, promotional material or public solicitation in any form that targets West Virginia residents through distribution or advertising in the state.3.11.e. Instructional delivery that receives assistance from any other organization within the state in that delivery.3.11.f. Clinical experiences, internships, or other similar curricular requirement.Activities exempt from this definition include: online instructors residing in West Virginia but having no direct, in-person contact with students and individuals participating in college fairs coordinated by the Commission and local school districts.
3.12. "Preliminary status" means six-month period of time that an institution is granted by the Commission to satisfactorily complete preliminary information as required by the regional or other appropriate, acceptable, accrediting association. During this time period, the institution shall not accept students, offer instruction, award credits toward a degree, or award a degree until granted further authorization by the Commission.3.13. "Probationary status" means that an institution has been authorized by the Commission to enroll students, offer instruction, graduate students and award degrees under the condition that the institution is continuously seeking and making satisfactory progress toward acquiring full accreditation and full state authorization.3.14. "Reauthorization" is the process by which an institution annually renews its status as an institution authorized to offer programs and courses for West Virginia residents. This status is granted by the Higher Education Policy Commission when the institution demonstrates compliance with the requirements for such status.3.15. "Religious, theological, or faith-based institution" means a postsecondary institution that offers no degree programs other than those specifically related to the institution's doctrine. Institutions that offer general degree programs cannot be exempted by this rule as religious, theological, or faith-based.3.16. "Unearned tuition" means the portion of tuition paid for which the institution has not fulfilled its contractual agreement.W. Va. Code R. § 133-20-3