Wyo. Code R. 206-0002-30
General Agency, Board or Commission Rules
Chapter 30: Private School Licensing for Institutions of Higher Learning
Effective Date: 08/17/1994 to 11/07/1996
Rule Type: Superceded Rules & Regulations
Reference Number: 206.0002.30.08171994
Section 1. Purpose. The purposes of the rules are:
(a) To establish a procedure for the licensing of Institutions of Higher Learning (colleges, universities, correspondence schools offering degrees, etc.) with the exception of the University of Wyoming and the Community Colleges of Wyoming (21-2-102 and 21-2-103) or any post-secondary Institution of Higher Learning possessing current accreditation by a recognized and accepted accrediting agency.
(b) To establish minimum standards for post secondary Institutions of Higher Learning until accreditation by a recognized and accepted accrediting agency may be achieved.
(c) To protect persons enrolled in a course of study in an Institution of Higher Learning.
Section 2. Authority. These rules are promulgated pursuant to W.S. 21-2-401 and 403 of the Private School Licensing Act, and have been adopted by the Wyoming State Board of Education in accordance with the Wyoming Administrative Procedure Act (W.S. 16-3-101 through 16-3-115).
Section 3. Applicability. These rules govern the operation of all post secondary Institutions of Higher Learning not accredited by a recognized and accepted accrediting agency as defined by rules of the Wyoming Department of Education, which are located within the state, or have their principal place of business out of state but do business in the state. These rules do not apply to any parochial, church, or religious school as defined by W.S. 21-4-101(a)(iv), home-based educational programs as defined by W.S. 21-4-101(a)(v), aircraft flight training schools approved and authorized by the Federal Aviation Agency of the United States of America, or a school teaching techniques of outdoor recreation, leadership, ecology, or conservation domiciled in the state of Wyoming nor do they apply to post secondary Institutions of Higher Learning accredited by a recognized and accepted accrediting agency.
Section 4. Amendment of Rules. Any amendments to these rules shall become effective upon filing with the Secretary of State.
Section 5. Definitions.
(a) 'Agent' means any person owning any interest in, employed by, or representing for remuneration or other consideration an Institution of Higher Learning located within or without this state who enrolls or who, in places other than the principal school premises, offers or attempts to secure the enrollment of any person within this state for education in an Institution of Higher Learning.
(b) 'Attorney General' means the Attorney General of the State of Wyoming.
(c) 'Degree' means any award earned or honorary, conferred with the designation of associate, baccalaureate, master, professional, specialist or doctorate.
(d) 'Institution of Higher Learning' or 'Post Secondary Education Institution' means any post secondary institution offering a degree, earned or honorary, conferred with the designation of associate, baccalaureate, master, professional, specialist or doctorate.
(e) 'License' means a non-transferable document issued by the Wyoming Department of Education to an Institution of Higher Learning located within this state or located outside the state, but whose agent solicits students from within the state in the name of such Institution, which permits the Institution to solicit, offer, and maintain a course(s) of instruction or study in compliance with the provision of the Private School Licensing Act and the rules of the Wyoming State Board of Education promulgated pursuant to the Act.
(f) 'Recognized and Accepted Accreditation Agency' includes those agencies recognized by the United States Department of Education through National Advisory Committee on Accreditation and Institutional Eligibility. If the Institution of Higher Learning originates in a foreign country, accreditation recognized and accepted by that country's Department of Education or equivalent agency is required.
(g) 'State Department' means Wyoming Department of Education.
(h) 'State Board' means Wyoming State Board of Education.
Section 6. Granting, Refusing or Revoking Licenses. Denial, suspensions, or revocations of a license may occur when it is found that a school has failed to comply with Wyoming Institution of Higher Learning Licensing statutes and the Institution of Higher Learning rules adopted by the Wyoming State Board of Education. Such action will be governed by the Wyoming Administrative Procedure Act (W.S. 16-3-101 through 16-3-115). Licensure is not required once accreditation is achieved from a recognized and accepted accreditation agency and documentation of such is provided to the office of the Secretary of State and the Wyoming Department of Education.
Section 7. Licensing Application Procedure. Application for a license shall be made to the Wyoming Department of Education. The applicant must submit the following:
(a) Documentation that the institution...
(1) is currently seeking appropriate accreditation and detailing steps taken during the year to achieve that goal, or
(2) is not seeking accreditation and explaining why it is not necessary to achieve its goals.
(b) The application shall be accompanied by a certified check or money order made payable to the Wyoming Department of Education in the amount of two hundred dollars ($200.00) for the school license and one hundred ($100.00) for each agent.
(c) A performance bond to be approved by the attorney general. (This bond must be on a form prescribed by the State Department and shall be in the amount of $10,000.00 for institutions with an annual enrollment of 10 or fewer, $25,000 if the annual enrollment is 11 to 20, and $50,000 if the annual enrollment exceeds 20.) Such bond shall be renewed on July 1 of each year as long as the school retains its license to do business in Wyoming. Licenses issued to an Institution of Higher Learning shall be valid commencing with July 1 of the year issued and ending June 30 of the following year. The Wyoming Department of Education will be custodian of all bonds and may render administrative assistance, but not legal assistance, to all aggrieved persons who may be entitled to relief under the bond.
(d) A copy of each enrollment contract form.
(e) A copy of tuition, fees, and all other charges.
(f) A copy of the refund schedule (See Section 10).
(g) A copy of a course outline for each course to be conducted.
(h) A copy of a graduation diploma for each degree offered.
(i) A copy of attendance record form.
(j) A copy of all school catalogs, bulletins and other published materials, advertising, and circulars.
(k) A completed personnel data form for each director, supervisor, instructor, teacher, and agent.
Section 8. Renewal of License. An application for the renewal of a license and/or 30-3
agent's permit shall be submitted in July of each year on forms prescribed by the Wyoming Department of Education and accompanied by resubmission of updated versions of all items in 7 above.
Section 9. Minimum Standards. The Institution of Higher Learning must comply with the requirements listed below and is subject to periodic monitoring by the Wyoming Department of Education:
Section 10. Refund Policy. All Institutions of Higher Learning licensed by the Wyoming Department of Education will utilize a refund policy that parallels refund policies recommended by the United States Department of Education.