1. (a) A degree program must meet accreditation standards of its accreditor. If a postsecondary institution wishes to establish a new degree program or degree program title, the institution must present the following information to the commission:

   1. (1) a rationale that the program or degree title could not reasonably be included in a program or degree title already approved by the commission;

   2. (2) evidence that the new program or degree title is needed, based upon

      1. (A) student interest;
      2. (B) state, regional, national or international need; or
      3. (C) contributions that the new program or degree title will provide to existing institutional programs or departments;
   3. (3) evidence that a plan for review of the new program or degree title is in place; and
   4. (4) evidence that commission requirements for initiation of a new program or degree title have been satisfied.
2. (b) Repealed 9/18/2022.
3. (c) Repealed 9/18/2022.

4. (d) A credit transfer contract between an accredited institution and an institution that is not accredited must

   1. (1) conform to the policies and guidelines for contractual relationships and for the transfer and award of credit in the Accreditation Handbook, of the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, 2013 edition, adopted by reference; and
   2. (2) be approved by the commission.
5. (e) Non-traditional external or off-campus programs, and online or distance delivered programs, must meet all applicable requirements for campus-based programs, including comparability and quality of course content, faculty qualifications, criteria for evaluation, and accessibility to appropriate library and academic support resources.
6. (f) A postsecondary institution may develop innovative or flexible courses or programs that may depart from the requirements of this section, so long as those courses or programs provide instruction that fulfills both the stated institutional mission and the learning objectives of the enrolling student. Before implementing those courses or programs, the institution must present its plan to the commission for review and approval.

(Eff. 4/19/90, Register 114; am 11/5/92, Register 124; am 4/24/98, Register 146; am 8/26/98, Register 147; am 4/20/2000, Register 154; am 3/1/2002, Register 161; am 1/30/2003, Register 165; am 12/31/2005, Register 176; am 12/29/2010, Register 196; am 2/22/2015, Register 213; am 9/18/2022, Register 243)

Authority: AS 14.42.030, AS 14.48.050, AS 14.48.060, AS 14.48.070