(a)

1. (1) Once the requesting institution has submitted an application to the Division of Higher Education, the application will be reviewed by the division.
2. (2) Should the division determine that the institution has not submitted the required application and documentation, the institution will be contacted and asked to submit the specified information within a defined time period.
3. (3) The division review of the application will be suspended until all requested institutional information is submitted to the division which could delay the review of the application.
4. (4) Failure to submit the appropriate completed forms and the related fees by the established deadlines may result in no further consideration of the application for certification by the division or withdrawal of Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board certification.

(b) Review team.

1. (1)

   1. (A) If necessary, the division will select an independent review team of faculty and administrators who are knowledgeable of similar courses/degree programs or level of institution included in the certification application.
   2. (B) The team will read/review the application and may visit the institution or proposed institutional location as part of the review process.

2. (2)

   1. (A) If an on-site review is needed, the division will schedule a mutually convenient time for the on-site review of the courses/degree programs or the proposed institutional location by the division and the review team.
   2. (B) Institutional representatives also could be required to meet with the review team at the division unless the division staff determines that the review can be conducted by a telephone conference call.

3. (3)

   1. (A) Division staff will conduct the application/campus reviews with the review team submitting a written team report to the division that will be shared with the institution and the Institutional Certification Advisory Committee.
   2. (B) The institution must submit to the division a written response to the review team report within a defined time period, no less than twenty (20) days.

(c) Course/degree review.

1. (1)

   1. (A) The course/degree content and minimum credit hours required must be appropriate for the field of study and degree level.
   2. (B) The courses and degree plans must be approved in the institution’s home state before board certification is granted.

2. (2)

   1. (A) All undergraduate degrees must include the:

(i) Home state required/approved general education core curriculum that is similar to the Arkansas minimum general education core curriculum; or

1. (ii) Arkansas minimum general education core curriculum.

   1. (B) The institution must provide written documentation that the course/degree plan has been approved by the institution/trustees and/or the appropriate higher education/postsecondary and professional program agency in the home state.

2. (3)

   1. (A) The board has established assessment and course placement guidelines for student ability to benefit in associate and bachelor’s degree programs.
   2. (B) All institutions must provide a plan for assessment and course/degree placement for student success.
   3. (C) For an entity applying for certification to establish or locate an institution in Arkansas, the board or comparable assessment and placement guidelines must be used for student enrollment.
3. (4) Professional certificates and degree programs for licensure/certification such as law, medicine, respiratory care, cosmetology, nursing, teacher education, psychology, and counseling must meet Arkansas state licensure/certification requirements to be granted board certification.

4. (5)

   1. (A) There must be a sufficient number of faculty with the appropriate academic credentials and experience.

   2. (B) The institution must provide documentation of adequate financial resources and instructional resources related to student academic support and success and for distance technology delivery.

      1. (d) Division of Higher Education executive staff recommendation.

5. (1) Based on the results of the review, the division may ask the institution and review team for more information regarding the course/degree program or new institution/branch campus application before making a recommendation:

   1. (A) For program/institutional certification to the board; or
   2. (B) To deny certification.

6. (2)

   1. (A) An institution may elect to appeal the division executive staff recommendation.
   2. (B) However, the decision of the board is final.