Maine Department of Education
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1: Important Agency Information to Note
The Maine Department of Education’s Office of Higher Education and Educator Support Services coordinates the degree-granting authorization process, but the rules governing that process and the final vote on requests for degree-granting authorization are the purview by the Maine State Board of Education. Institutions which are approved for degree-granting authorization by the Maine State Board of Education must also seek the passage of a bill through the Maine State Legislature, per 20-A Maine Revised Statutes, Chapter 409.
2: Types of Educational Providers Authorized
__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
__X__ Public, out-of-state, non-degree granting institutions
__X__ Non-degree, not-for profit institutions
__X__ Non-degree, for-profit institutions
_____ Religious institutions
_____ Tribally-controlled institutions
_____ Federal Institutions
_____ Municipal institutions
____ Institution _____ Program __X__ Both
There is a separate process by which an out-of-state institution may seek approval for specific programs rather than seeking full degree-granting authorization; both processes are governed by 05-071 Maine State Board of Education Rule Chapter 149.
3: Accreditation
No
No response provided
Accreditation Required for:
____ Public, out-of-state degree granting institutions
____ Private, in-state, not-for-profit degree granting institutions
____ Private, out-of-state, not-for-profit degree granting institutions
____ Private, in-state, for-profit degree granting institutions
____ 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
No response provided
4: Exemptions
Yes, see 20-A Maine Revised Statutes §10708
Tribal institutions; noncredit programs; and religious, nonpublic, educational institutions operated by a religious organization whose offerings are designed to prepare students to assume leadership positions in, or enter into some other vocation closely related to, the particular religious faith of that organization.
Consideration for exemption must be initiated by correspondence indicating self-attestation to the restrictions of 20-A MRS §10708, addressed to the Maine Department of Education’s Director of Higher Education & Educator Support Services.
5: Authorization of Distance Education
No
Yes
Yes
No response provided
6: Physical Presence Policy
The definition of physical presence in 05-071 Maine State Board of Education Rule Chapter 149 (1)(I): “Physical Presence: Designation applied to any institution offering degrees and academic credits from within Maine to recipients anywhere, and it applies to any person assisting with such an institution. It further applies to any institution offering degrees and academic credits from outside of Maine if there is any person assisting the institution in any way from within Maine. This includes a) maintaining an office or mailing address in the State or b) conducting any part of the instructional program or support activities from within the State. Specifically, this includes: advertising, solicitation of potential students, enrollment of students, providing student services, student mentoring, and instruction of students.”
No response provided
7: Student Complaints - SARA Participating Institutions
They are listed on the website.
Same process as above and same contact person.
Contact Name: Michael T. Perry
Title: Director, Office of Higher Education & Educator Support Services
Agency: Maine Department of Education
Address: 23 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-0023
Email: Michael.T.Perry@maine.gov
Phone:
URL:
No response provided
8: Student Complaints - Non-SARA Participating Institutions
The only complaints we hear are procedural.
Within the agency.
All SARA in-state and out-of-state postsecondary institutions are used.
Contact Name: Michael T. Perry
Title: Director, Office of Higher Education & Educator Support Services
Agency: Maine Department of Education
Address: 23 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-0023
Email: Michael.T.Perry@maine.gov
Phone:
URL:
A letter must be submitted with proper information.
No response provided
9: Surety Bonds
No
No response provided
No response provided
10: Tuition Refund Policy
Yes
All institutions of higher education.
Requirements vary by type; institutions should refer to the authorization process for their particular type of institution.
No response provided
11: Student Tuition Recovery Fund
No
No response provided
No response provided
No response provided
12: Reporting
They are identified on our website
Yearly
No
No response provided
13: Enforcement
No response provided
No response provided
No response provided
14: Application Process
The application process is described in 05-071 Maine State Board of Education Rule Chapter 149: https://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/rules/05/071/071c149.doc
No response provided
15: Fees Associated with Authorization
No, but applying institutions may incur costs related to the ensuing State Board of Education review.
No response provided
No response provided
No response provided
16: Records Retention
The Department of Education’s Office of Higher Education & Educator Support Services keeps the records in cases where the institution is fully closing rather than being acquired.
Agency Name: Maine Department of Education
Contact Name: Michael T. Perry
Title: Director, Office of Higher Education & Educator Support Services
Address: 23 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-0023
Email: Michael.T.Perry@maine.gov
Phone:
URL:
No response provided
17: Additional Information
None.