Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education
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1: Important Agency Information to Note
Recently, ACPE has updated its regulations, which streamline authorization processes, align fees with services, and provide greater oversight of institutional financial health, student consumer protection, and monitoring of changes.
2: Types of Educational Providers Authorized
____ 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
____ 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
_X__ Religious institutions
____ Tribally-controlled institutions
____ Federal Institutions
____ Municipal institutions
____ Institution _____ Program _X__ Both
No response provided
3: Accreditation
No
Accreditation Required for:
_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
____ 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
Accreditation is required to offer degrees but ACPE also regulates non-degree granting schools
4: Exemptions
Yes, we have both statutory and regulatory exemptions. Regulatory exemptions, which includes but is not limited to online/distance education exemptions, requires an application to be filed.
Please see web link below for types of institutions and programs.
No response provided
5: Authorization of Distance Education
Institutions must be a SARA participating institution or apply for Exemption from Authorization for online programs not offered in state.
n/a
No
Link to Online/Distance Education (Non-SARA) website: https://acpe.alaska.gov/IA/OnlineExempt
6: Physical Presence Policy
Physical presence is defined as the presence within the state of paid staff or faculty, or a facility or address; in this paragraph, "faculty" and "staff" does not include site supervisors or mentors for local internships or practica, or adjunct personnel; staff or faculty residing within the state but working from a location other than the facility of a postsecondary educational institution does not constitute a physical presence.
No response provided
7: Student Complaints - SARA Participating Institutions
Within the agency
Contact Name: Tyler Eggen
Title: Institutional Authorization Program Coordinator
Agency: Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education
Address: PO Box 110505 Juneau, AK 99811
Email: eed.acpe-ia@alaska.gov
Phone: 907-465-6741
URL: www.acpe.alaska.gov/ia
No response provided
8: Student Complaints - Non-SARA Participating Institutions
Must complete institutional grievance policy steps prior to complaint with the Commission.
Handled all the same.
Yes, as statutorily defined.
Contact Name: Tyler Eggen
Title: Institutional Authorization Program Coordinator
Agency: Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education
Address: PO Box 110505 Juneau, AK 99811
Email: eed.acpe-ia@alaska.gov
Phone: 907-465-6741
URL: www.acpe.alaska.gov/ia
We direct students to our FAQ, which has resulted in less calls and emails with preliminary questions.
9: Surety Bonds
No
No response provided
No response provided
10: Tuition Refund Policy
Yes
All institutions
No response provided
11: Student Tuition Recovery Fund
No
No response provided
No response provided
No response provided
12: Reporting
None at this time.
n/a
n/a
No response provided
No response provided
13: Enforcement
(1) shall serve on the institution or agent, or both, an order requiring the institution or agent, or both, to cease and desist from the act or practice;
(2) may award the individual or class of individuals named in the complaint full or partial restitution for damage or loss if the commission finds that the individual or class of individuals has suffered loss or damage as a result of the act or practice;
(3) may impose the penalties provided for in AS 14.48.190;
(4) may assess a civil fine, not to exceed $5,000, for costs of investigating and adjudicating a matter under this section; and
(5) may, based on its own investigation and the evidence presented at the hearing, begin an action to revoke an institution's authorization to operate or an agent's permit.
No response provided
14: Application Process
Webpage has all fees and applications.
15: Fees Associated with Authorization
Yes
$2,750 for in state initial authorization, up to 3 programs. $750 per additional program, $5,000 max.
Webpage has all fees and applications.
16: Records Retention
ACPE is the repository for closed school records for Alaska based schools
- Agency Name: ACPE
- Contact Person: Customer Service
- Contact Phone: 1-800-441-2962
- Contact Address: PO Box 110505 Juneau, AK 99811-0505
- Contact Email: Customer.service@alaska.gov
- Contact web site: https://acpe.alaska.gov/ia/closedschoolrecords
No response provided