Rules & Regulations of the State of Tennessee
Title 1540 - Higher Education Commission
Chapter 1540-01-10 - Regulation of Postsecondary Educational Institutions with Optional Expedited Authorization (oea)
Section 1540-01-10-.02 - DEFINITIONS

(1) "Accreditation" is a non-governmental, peer evaluation of postsecondary educational institutions and programs by private educational associations that have adopted criteria for educational programs and have developed procedures for evaluating institutions or programs. The date of accreditation is the date applicable to a location and includes approval, recognition, or similar designation of a branch, satellite, instructional, or other location descriptor used by an accreditor. The Commission only recognizes accrediting agencies that are recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

(2) "Act" means the Tennessee Higher Education Authorization Act of 2016, T.C.A. §§ 49- 7 2001, et seq., as amended.

(3) "Articulation and transfer of credit agreement" means an arrangement between two (2) higher education institutions that is approved and signed by authorized institutional representatives and constructed by faculty in the discipline that (1) equates for transfer of a defined set or block of academic credits that will meet requirements of a specified program at a degreeawarding institution or (2) provides that a specific credential from one institution will meet the admission education requirement for a program leading to a higher credential at a second institution.

(4) "Authorization" means approval of a postsecondary educational institution by the Commission for the institution to engage in activities or operations otherwise prohibited by T.C.A. § 49-72007. Authorization is for a specified time at a specified location. Institutions shall not use authorization to connote greater approval than simple permission to engage in allowed activities or operations. Terms which may not be used include, but are not limited to, "accredited by," "supervised by," "endorsed by," and "recommended by the Commission."

(5) "Commission" means the Tennessee Higher Education Commission.

(6) "Division of Postsecondary State Authorization" or "DPSA" means the division within the Tennessee Higher Education Commission tasked with overseeing the implementation and enforcement of the Act and these rules.

(7) "Enrollment" or "Enrolled" refers to those students who have attended one (1) session of class, turned in one (1) assignment, or received one (1) distance learning lesson.

(8) "Federal student financial aid programs" means any of the various loans or grants offered to students, parents, or institutions through Title IV of the Higher Education Opportunity Act, as amended.

(9) "Institutional director" means the individual designated by the institution to assume responsibility for ensuring that the conduct of the institution and its agents are within the Act and these rules.

(10) "License" or "Licensure" includes similar terms, such as registration and certification, and means a designation from a subject matter expert state agency, board, or commission indicating that the recipient has met certain requirements for obtaining the designation, for example, a licensed massage therapist or educator.

(11) "Location" means an address that may be used for purposes of a postsecondary educational institution in compliance with all pertinent ordinances and laws, including any rules and regulations adopted pursuant to the ordinances and laws, relative to zoning and the safety and health of persons at the address. When physical presence activities or operations are not the result of instruction at a postsecondary educational institution location as determined by the Commission staff, such as supervised field experiences or similar activities or operations, then the postsecondary educational institution location from which the educational credential is awarded must be the authorized location.

(12) "Optional expedited authorization" or "OEA" means the alternative optional authorization available pursuant to T.C.A. § 49-7-2022 and these rules to certain accredited postsecondary educational institutions.

(13) "Other fees" means fees, other than tuition, paid to the institution or third parties for products or services, including, but not limited to, fees paid for tangible goods, laboratory fees, technology fees, student activity fees, graduation fees, or fees paid for housing, meals, or transportation.

(14) "Ownership" and "Owner" mean:

(15) "Postsecondary educational institution" includes, but is not limited to, a school, college, university, or other type of entity offering educational credentials, instruction, educational services, or other activities as described in T.C.A. § 49-7-2007, primarily to persons who have completed or terminated their secondary education, or who are beyond the age of compulsory high school attendance, for the attainment of educational, professional, or vocational objectives. The terms "location," "postsecondary educational institution," and "institution" may be used interchangeably such that determinations made pursuant to the Act and these rules are made in regard to the specific location.

(16) "Primarily located" means the state recognized by the accreditor as the state in which the main campus is located;

(17) "Prospective student" means a student who has been accepted for attendance at an institution but who is not enrolled as defined in subparagraph (7) of this rule.

(18) "Supervised field experiences" means a student learning experience comprised primarily of the practical application of previously studied theories and skills, under the oversight of a supervisor, mentor, faculty member or other qualified professional who has a direct or indirect reporting responsibility to the institution where the student is enrolled, whether or not credit is granted. The supervised field experience is part of a program of study offered by the enrolling institution. Examples include, but are not limited to, practica, student teaching, clinical placements, or internships.

(19) "These rules" means all rules contained in Rule Chapter 1540-01-10.

(20) "Tuition" means any fee involving the student, actually charged or tracked as a bookkeeping item for instruction provided.