Distance Education Authorization

Overview

Online and Distance Education is an important part of Emporia State University's program offerings, with many students participating in federal financial aid. Recent amendments to the Higher Education Act of 1965 include changes in regulation for State Authorization that may impact online, distance, and correspondence education providers. The relevant language includes:

If an institution is offering post secondary education through distance or correspondence education to students in a State in which it is not physically located or in which it is otherwise subject to State jurisdiction as determined by the State, the institution must meet any State requirements for it to be legally offering post secondary distance or correspondence education in that State. An institution must be able to document to the Secretary the State's approval upon request. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1001 and 1002).

State Authorizations

ESU’s Distance Education is working in cooperation with the Department of Education and states' agencies to comply with required authorizations so that we can continue to provide educational access to students across the country. We are evaluating and working to comply with these various requirements and will provide up-to-date information when available.

Authorizations by States

Listed.pdf are states in which ESU Distance Education has sought and received authorization to offer distance education or where we are currently in the process of obtaining authorization.

Complaint Resolution

In compliance with the language passed in the Higher Education Opportunities Act of 2008, the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE) conducted a Negotiated Rule Making Process in 2010, institutions offering distance education must provide enrolled and prospective students with contact information for filing complaints with its accrediting agency and with the appropriate state agency for handling complaints in the student's state. Below is information on ESU Distance Education' accreditation agency, followed by a state-by-state list the agencies in each state responsible for complaints regarding out-of-state distance education programs.

ESU Student Complaints

The Kansas Board of Regents requires each state university to establish and enforce explicit procedures to address student grievances and complaints alleging university activity, or a university employee act of omission, that is proscribed by Board or institutional policies. Each state university is required to create, maintain and advertise a single point of contact to assist students in determining the appropriate university procedure for initiating a particular complaint or grievance.
The single point of contact to assist students in determining the appropriate university procedure for initiating particular complaint or grievance at Emporia State University is the Dean of Students. To address complaints for which there is no other applicable institutional procedure, upon written, formal and signed complaint, the Vice President for Student Affairs will evaluate and in accordance with the Board of Regents policy entitled “Complaint Process” manage such complaint. Consumer Information Handbook.pdf for more information on the students complaint process on page 64.

Complaint Resolution Contacts by State

These new regulations require us to provide prospective and current students with contact information for filing complaints with the appropriate agency in the state where the student resides. Please view the Complaints by State.pdf on your state to be connected to the contact form should you have a complaint about ESU Distance Education.

Kansas Board of Regents (KBOR) SARA Complaint Form

If you are a student who resides in a SARA member state other than Kansas, who is or was enrolled in a program offered by a Kansas-based SARA member institution, and you wish to make a complaint about that school or program, please complete this form and attach copies of any additional documents you believe will provide pertinent information. Complete this online form and upload all associated documents to complaints@ksbor.org. Please use and complete the complaint form.pdf.

ESU Distance Education Accreditation

Emporia State University is regionally accredited by the North Central Association of the Higher Learning Commission on Colleges and Universities (NCAHLC). The Kansas Board of Regents has authorized the University to offer undergraduate and graduate level certificates, baccalaureate, masters, and doctorate. Information regarding complaint process can be found on their NCAHLC website.

Proctoring Services

Proctoring Guidelines/Proctor Agreement Form

Students are responsible for finding a qualified proctor to administer each exam. The proctor must be a teacher, professor, or administrator in a nearby secondary school, college, university, or testing center. In some instances, a professional employment supervisor may also serve as a proctor, with the instructor’s permission. For assistance finding a proctor, students can contact a school counselor, an academic advisor, the dean of students, or the registrar’s office of a nearby college, university, high school, or local testing center. The Consortium of College Testing Centers is an organization that has testing centers across the country and abroad that provide proctoring services to distance students near their homes. Emporia State University is a member of this consortium. Centers are located in 44 states and Canada. Any fees for proctoring at a specific site selected by the student are the student’s responsibility. Students must submit their proctor information to the ESU Distance Education Office no later than a week before the campus exam.

More Information

Program Integrity Issues; Final Rule
Amendments to title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 were finalized on October 29th, 2010. Read the Final ruling by the Department of Education.

WCET summary of requirements
WCET has compiled a summary of what states and institutions need to do to meet the new Federal Regulations.