Code of Maine Rules
05 - DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
071 - EDUCATION - GENERAL
Chapter 149 - PROCEDURES FOR OBTAINING AUTHORIZATION FOR INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION TO CONFER ACADEMIC DEGREES OR TO OFFER DEGREE COURSES/PROGRAMS IN THE STATE OF MAINE
Section 071-149-1 - Definitions

A. Commissioner

Commissioner of the Department of Education

B. Academic Credit

The granting of credit hours, or some equivalent measure which may be applicable toward a degree at the Associate level or higher

C. Coordinated Courses/Programs

Those which are coordinated with a Maine, degree granting, educational institution and which are approved by the State Board of Education.

D. Exempt Institution

Any institution of higher education whose course or program offerings would not be granted academic credit and any institution of higher education whose course or program offerings would be conducted on a Federal reservation over which the United States Government has exclusive jurisdiction. All institutions of higher education seeking to be considered for exempt status will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

E. Institution of Higher Education

A postsecondary educational institution which offers within the boundaries of the State of Maine any course or program that would be granted academic credit toward a degree or which offers within the boundaries of the State of Maine a degree at the Associate level or higher.

F. Initial Degree Authorization

Permission granted by the Maine Legislature to an institution of higher education which has no previous degree authorization to confer academic, educational, literary or professional degrees upon recommendation of the State Board of Education.

G. Additional Degree Approval

Permission granted by the State Board of Education to an institution of higher education previously authorized by the Maine Legislature to confer a certain degree, to confer an additional academic, educational, literary or professional degree.

H. Maine Institution of Higher Education

An institution of higher education which has its main headquarters located within the boundaries of the State of Maine.

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.

J. Temporary Approval

Permission granted by the State Board of Education to an institution of higher education to use the term "college" or "university" in its name until such time as the institution has been granted initial authority by the Legislature to confer certain degrees or the expiration of the academic year.

K.Telecommunication Instruction

Any course or series of courses offered or sponsored by a postsecondary education institution which have as the primary mode of delivery, television, video cassette or disc, film, radio,online computer or other supportive devices which build upon an audiovisual format.