{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/23.1-213.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/23.1-213.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/23.1-213.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/23.1-213.html"}],"law_id":71294,"edition_id":1,"section_id":71294,"structure_id":15696,"section_number":"23.1-213","catch_line":"Definitions","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 23-265; 1980, c. 658; 1996, cc. 691, 832; 1999, cc. 458, 499; 2002, c. 178, \u00a7 23-276.1; 2004, cc. 671, 991; 2005, c. 447; 2007, cc. 82, 115; 2008, c. 856; 2010, cc. 67, 263; 2013, c. 229; 2016, c. 588; 2020, c. 380.","full_text":"As used in this article, unless the context requires a different meaning:\n\t\t&#8220;Academic-vocational non-college degree school&#8221; means a non-college degree school that offers degree and nondegree credit courses.\n\t\t&#8220;Agent&#8221; means a person who is employed by any institution of higher education or non-college degree school, whether such institution or school is located within or outside the Commonwealth, to act as an agent, solicitor, procurer, broker, or independent contractor to procure students or enrollees for any such institution or school by solicitation in any form at any place in the Commonwealth other than the office or principal location of such institution or school.\n\t\t&#8220;Certificate&#8221; means an award that is given by (i) institutions of higher education and academic-vocational non-college degree schools for successful completion of a curriculum consisting of courses that may also be taken for degree credit or (ii) vocational non-college degree schools for successful completion of a curriculum. &#8220;Certificate&#8221; includes a diploma.\n\t\t&#8220;College&#8221; means any associate-degree-granting institution of higher education or institution of higher education at which a bachelor&#8217;s degree is the most advanced degree that is granted.\n\t\t&#8220;Continuing or professional education&#8221; means those classes, courses, and programs designed specifically for individuals who have completed a degree in a professional field that (i) are intended to fulfill the continuing education requirements for licensure or certification in such professional field, (ii) have been approved by a legislatively or judicially established board or agency responsible for regulating the practice of the profession, and (iii) are offered exclusively to an individual practicing in such professional field.\n\t\t&#8220;Degree&#8221; means any earned award at the associate, baccalaureate, graduate, first professional, or specialist levels that represents satisfactory completion of the requirements of a program or course of study or instruction beyond the secondary school level.\n\t\t&#8220;Degree credit&#8221; means any earned credits awarded for successful completion of the requirements of a course of study or instruction beyond the secondary school level that may be used toward completion of a certificate or degree.\n\t\t&#8220;Distance learning&#8221; or &#8220;distance learning modality&#8221; means any course offered by a postsecondary school for which the primary mode of instructional delivery is by television, videocassette or disc, film, radio, computer, or other telecommunications devices.\n\t\t&#8220;Fraudulent academic credential&#8221; means a certificate, academic transcript, or other document issued by a person or other entity that is not an institution of higher education that provides evidence of or demonstrates completion of coursework or academic credit that results in the issuance of a degree.\n\t\t&#8220;Institution of higher education&#8221; or &#8220;institution&#8221; means any person or other entity, other than a public institution of higher education or any other entity authorized to issue bonds pursuant to Chapter 11 (\u00a7 23.1-1100 et seq.), that has received approval from the Council to (i) use the term &#8220;college&#8221; or &#8220;university,&#8221; or words of like meaning, in its name or in any manner in connection with its academic affairs or business; (ii) enroll students; and (iii) offer approved courses for degree credit or programs of study leading to a degree or offer degrees either at a site or via a distance learning modality.\n\t\t&#8220;Multistate compact&#8221; means any agreement involving two or more states to jointly offer postsecondary educational opportunities pursuant to policies and procedures established in such agreement and approved by the Council.\n\t\t&#8220;Non-college degree school&#8221; means any person or other entity that offers courses or programs of study that do not lead to a degree. &#8220;Non-college degree school&#8221; includes academic-vocational non-college degree schools and vocational non-college degree schools.\n\t\t&#8220;Nondegree credit&#8221; means any earned credits awarded for successful completion of the requirements of a course of study or instruction beyond the secondary school level that may be used toward completion of a certificate but may not be used to earn a degree.\n\t\t&#8220;Out-of-state&#8221; means formed, chartered, established, or incorporated outside of the Commonwealth.\n\t\t&#8220;Postsecondary school&#8221; means any institution of higher education or non-college degree school offering formal instructional programs with a curriculum designed primarily for students who have completed the requirements for a high school diploma or its equivalent. &#8220;Postsecondary school&#8221; includes programs of academic, vocational, and continuing professional education, except courses or programs of continuing professional education set forth in subdivision B 4 of \u00a7 23.1-226. &#8220;Postsecondary school&#8221; does not include avocational and adult basic education programs.\n\t\t&#8220;Program&#8221; means a curriculum or course of study in a discipline or interdisciplinary area that leads to a degree or certificate.\n\t\t&#8220;Program area&#8221; means a general group of disciplines in which one or more programs may be offered.\n\t\t&#8220;Proprietary&#8221; means privately owned, privately managed, and corporately structured as a for-profit entity.\n\t\t&#8220;Site&#8221; means a location in the Commonwealth where a postsecondary school (i) offers at least one course on an established schedule and (ii) enrolls at least two individuals who are not members of the same household, regardless of the presence or absence of administrative capability at such location.\n\t\t&#8220;Teachout plan&#8221; means a written agreement between or among postsecondary schools that provides for the equitable treatment of students if one party to the agreement ceases to offer an educational program before all students enrolled in that program complete the program.\n\t\t&#8220;University&#8221; means any baccalaureate institution of higher education.\n\t\t&#8220;Vocational non-college degree school&#8221; means a non-college degree school that offers only courses for nondegree credit. &#8220;Vocational non-college degree school&#8221; does not include instructional programs that are intended solely for recreation, enjoyment, or personal interest or as a hobby or courses or instructional programs that prepare individuals to teach such pursuits.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":256961,"text":"As used in this article, unless the context requires a different meaning:\n\t\t&#8220;Academic-vocational non-college degree school&#8221; means a non-college degree school that offers degree and nondegree credit courses.\n\t\t&#8220;Agent&#8221; means a person who is employed by any institution of higher education or non-college degree school, whether such institution or school is located within or outside the Commonwealth, to act as an agent, solicitor, procurer, broker, or independent contractor to procure students or enrollees for any such institution or school by solicitation in any form at any place in the Commonwealth other than the office or principal location of such institution or school.\n\t\t&#8220;Certificate&#8221; means an award that is given by (i) institutions of higher education and academic-vocational non-college degree schools for successful completion of a curriculum consisting of courses that may also be taken for degree credit or (ii) vocational non-college degree schools for successful completion of a curriculum. &#8220;Certificate&#8221; includes a diploma.\n\t\t&#8220;College&#8221; means any associate-degree-granting institution of higher education or institution of higher education at which a bachelor&#8217;s degree is the most advanced degree that is granted.\n\t\t&#8220;Continuing or professional education&#8221; means those classes, courses, and programs designed specifically for individuals who have completed a degree in a professional field that (i) are intended to fulfill the continuing education requirements for licensure or certification in such professional field, (ii) have been approved by a legislatively or judicially established board or agency responsible for regulating the practice of the profession, and (iii) are offered exclusively to an individual practicing in such professional field.\n\t\t&#8220;Degree&#8221; means any earned award at the associate, baccalaureate, graduate, first professional, or specialist levels that represents satisfactory completion of the requirements of a program or course of study or instruction beyond the secondary school level.\n\t\t&#8220;Degree credit&#8221; means any earned credits awarded for successful completion of the requirements of a course of study or instruction beyond the secondary school level that may be used toward completion of a certificate or degree.\n\t\t&#8220;Distance learning&#8221; or &#8220;distance learning modality&#8221; means any course offered by a postsecondary school for which the primary mode of instructional delivery is by television, videocassette or disc, film, radio, computer, or other telecommunications devices.\n\t\t&#8220;Fraudulent academic credential&#8221; means a certificate, academic transcript, or other document issued by a person or other entity that is not an institution of higher education that provides evidence of or demonstrates completion of coursework or academic credit that results in the issuance of a degree.\n\t\t&#8220;Institution of higher education&#8221; or &#8220;institution&#8221; means any person or other entity, other than a public institution of higher education or any other entity authorized to issue bonds pursuant to Chapter 11 (\u00a7 23.1-1100 et seq.), that has received approval from the Council to (i) use the term &#8220;college&#8221; or &#8220;university,&#8221; or words of like meaning, in its name or in any manner in connection with its academic affairs or business; (ii) enroll students; and (iii) offer approved courses for degree credit or programs of study leading to a degree or offer degrees either at a site or via a distance learning modality.\n\t\t&#8220;Multistate compact&#8221; means any agreement involving two or more states to jointly offer postsecondary educational opportunities pursuant to policies and procedures established in such agreement and approved by the Council.\n\t\t&#8220;Non-college degree school&#8221; means any person or other entity that offers courses or programs of study that do not lead to a degree. &#8220;Non-college degree school&#8221; includes academic-vocational non-college degree schools and vocational non-college degree schools.\n\t\t&#8220;Nondegree credit&#8221; means any earned credits awarded for successful completion of the requirements of a course of study or instruction beyond the secondary school level that may be used toward completion of a certificate but may not be used to earn a degree.\n\t\t&#8220;Out-of-state&#8221; means formed, chartered, established, or incorporated outside of the Commonwealth.\n\t\t&#8220;Postsecondary school&#8221; means any institution of higher education or non-college degree school offering formal instructional programs with a curriculum designed primarily for students who have completed the requirements for a high school diploma or its equivalent. &#8220;Postsecondary school&#8221; includes programs of academic, vocational, and continuing professional education, except courses or programs of continuing professional education set forth in subdivision B 4 of \u00a7 23.1-226. &#8220;Postsecondary school&#8221; does not include avocational and adult basic education programs.\n\t\t&#8220;Program&#8221; means a curriculum or course of study in a discipline or interdisciplinary area that leads to a degree or certificate.\n\t\t&#8220;Program area&#8221; means a general group of disciplines in which one or more programs may be offered.\n\t\t&#8220;Proprietary&#8221; means privately owned, privately managed, and corporately structured as a for-profit entity.\n\t\t&#8220;Site&#8221; means a location in the Commonwealth where a postsecondary school (i) offers at least one course on an established schedule and (ii) enrolls at least two individuals who are not members of the same household, regardless of the presence or absence of administrative capability at such location.\n\t\t&#8220;Teachout plan&#8221; means a written agreement between or among postsecondary schools that provides for the equitable treatment of students if one party to the agreement ceases to offer an educational program before all students enrolled in that program complete the program.\n\t\t&#8220;University&#8221; means any baccalaureate institution of higher education.\n\t\t&#8220;Vocational non-college degree school&#8221; means a non-college degree school that offers only courses for nondegree credit. &#8220;Vocational non-college degree school&#8221; does not include instructional programs that are intended solely for recreation, enjoyment, or personal interest or as a hobby or courses or instructional programs that prepare individuals to teach such pursuits.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1}},"ancestry":[{"id":15696,"edition_id":1,"name":"Regulation of Certain Private and Out-of-State Institutions of Higher Education","identifier":"3","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":14064,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:58:03","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:58:03","permalink":{"id":184705,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":15696,"identifier":"3","token":"23.1\/I\/2\/3","url":"\/23.1\/I\/2\/3\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":14064,"edition_id":1,"name":"State Council of Higher Education for Virginia","identifier":"2","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13393,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:46:45","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:46:45","permalink":{"id":184639,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14064,"identifier":"2","token":"23.1\/I\/2","url":"\/23.1\/I\/2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13393,"edition_id":1,"name":"General Provisions","identifier":"I","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13111,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:47","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:47","permalink":{"id":184583,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13393,"identifier":"I","token":"23.1\/I","url":"\/23.1\/I\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13111,"edition_id":1,"name":"Institutions of Higher Education; Other Educational and Cultural Institutions","identifier":"23.1","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:18","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:18","permalink":{"id":184581,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13111,"identifier":"23.1","token":"23.1","url":"\/23.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":71294,"structure_id":15696,"section_number":"23.1-213","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/23.1-213\/","token":"23.1\/I\/2\/3\/23.1-213","metadata":false},{"id":61081,"structure_id":15696,"section_number":"23.1-214","catch_line":"Certified mail; subsequent mail or notices may be sent by regular mail","url":"\/23.1-214\/","token":"23.1\/I\/2\/3\/23.1-214","metadata":false},{"id":60133,"structure_id":15696,"section_number":"23.1-215","catch_line":"Authority of the Council; regulations; standards for postsecondary schools; delegation of authority to Executive Director","url":"\/23.1-215\/","token":"23.1\/I\/2\/3\/23.1-215","metadata":false},{"id":64447,"structure_id":15696,"section_number":"23.1-216","catch_line":"Career College Advisory Board established","url":"\/23.1-216\/","token":"23.1\/I\/2\/3\/23.1-216","metadata":false},{"id":66073,"structure_id":15696,"section_number":"23.1-217","catch_line":"Certification required","url":"\/23.1-217\/","token":"23.1\/I\/2\/3\/23.1-217","metadata":false},{"id":61720,"structure_id":15696,"section_number":"23.1-218","catch_line":"List of postsecondary schools holding valid certification","url":"\/23.1-218\/","token":"23.1\/I\/2\/3\/23.1-218","metadata":false},{"id":74209,"structure_id":15696,"section_number":"23.1-219","catch_line":"Council certification; requirements and prohibitions","url":"\/23.1-219\/","token":"23.1\/I\/2\/3\/23.1-219","metadata":false},{"id":73720,"structure_id":15696,"section_number":"23.1-220","catch_line":"Approval procedures","url":"\/23.1-220\/","token":"23.1\/I\/2\/3\/23.1-220","metadata":false},{"id":84806,"structure_id":15696,"section_number":"23.1-221","catch_line":"Refusal, suspension, and revocation of approval or certification","url":"\/23.1-221\/","token":"23.1\/I\/2\/3\/23.1-221","metadata":false},{"id":77929,"structure_id":15696,"section_number":"23.1-222","catch_line":"Emergency actions","url":"\/23.1-222\/","token":"23.1\/I\/2\/3\/23.1-222","metadata":false},{"id":83508,"structure_id":15696,"section_number":"23.1-223","catch_line":"Preservation of students' records","url":"\/23.1-223\/","token":"23.1\/I\/2\/3\/23.1-223","metadata":false},{"id":84204,"structure_id":15696,"section_number":"23.1-224","catch_line":"Fees","url":"\/23.1-224\/","token":"23.1\/I\/2\/3\/23.1-224","metadata":false},{"id":61964,"structure_id":15696,"section_number":"23.1-225","catch_line":"Prohibited acts","url":"\/23.1-225\/","token":"23.1\/I\/2\/3\/23.1-225","metadata":false},{"id":74161,"structure_id":15696,"section_number":"23.1-226","catch_line":"Exemptions","url":"\/23.1-226\/","token":"23.1\/I\/2\/3\/23.1-226","metadata":false},{"id":64724,"structure_id":15696,"section_number":"23.1-227","catch_line":"Laws of the Commonwealth to apply to contracts","url":"\/23.1-227\/","token":"23.1\/I\/2\/3\/23.1-227","metadata":false},{"id":76711,"structure_id":15696,"section_number":"23.1-228","catch_line":"Violations; penalties; remedies","url":"\/23.1-228\/","token":"23.1\/I\/2\/3\/23.1-228","metadata":false},{"id":71518,"structure_id":15696,"section_number":"23.1-229","catch_line":"Postsecondary school closure procedures","url":"\/23.1-229\/","token":"23.1\/I\/2\/3\/23.1-229","metadata":false},{"id":86216,"structure_id":15696,"section_number":"23.1-230","catch_line":"Enrollment agreements required","url":"\/23.1-230\/","token":"23.1\/I\/2\/3\/23.1-230","metadata":false}],"next_section":{"id":61081,"structure_id":15696,"section_number":"23.1-214","catch_line":"Certified mail; subsequent mail or notices may be sent by regular mail","url":"\/23.1-214\/","token":"23.1\/I\/2\/3\/23.1-214","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/23.1-213\/","history_text":"<p>The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 12 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1980, chapter 658; in 1996, chapters <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?961+ful+CHAP0691\">691<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?961+ful+CHAP0832\">832<\/a>; in 1999, chapters <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?991+ful+CHAP0458\">458<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?991+ful+CHAP0499\">499<\/a>; in 2002, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?021+ful+CHAP0178\">178<\/a>; in 2004, chapters <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?041+ful+CHAP0671\">671<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?041+ful+CHAP0991\">991<\/a>; in 2005, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?051+ful+CHAP0447\">447<\/a>; in 2007, chapters <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?071+ful+CHAP0082\">82<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?071+ful+CHAP0115\">115<\/a>; in 2008, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?081+ful+CHAP0856\">856<\/a>; in 2010, chapters <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?101+ful+CHAP0067\">67<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?101+ful+CHAP0263\">263<\/a>; in 2013, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?131+ful+CHAP0229\">229<\/a>; in 2016, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?161+ful+CHAP0588\">588<\/a>; in 2020, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?201+ful+CHAP0380\">380<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":77388,"section_number":"2.2-2472","catch_line":"Powers and duties of the Board; Virginia Workforce System created","order_by":null,"url":"\/2.2-2472\/"},{"id":85010,"section_number":"22.1-26","catch_line":"Joint and regional schools; regional public charter schools","order_by":null,"url":"\/22.1-26\/"},{"id":59984,"section_number":"23.1-100","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/23.1-100\/"},{"id":61233,"section_number":"23.1-106","catch_line":"Formation of not-for-profit benefits consortium","order_by":null,"url":"\/23.1-106\/"},{"id":54627,"section_number":"25.1-104","catch_line":"Condemnation of lands of private educational institutions for highway purposes","order_by":null,"url":"\/25.1-104\/"},{"id":86901,"section_number":"30-231.01","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/30-231.01\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":55320,"section_number":"23.1-1100","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/23.1-1100\/"},{"id":74161,"section_number":"23.1-226","catch_line":"Exemptions","order_by":null,"url":"\/23.1-226\/"}],"permalink":{"id":184707,"object_type":"law","relational_id":71294,"identifier":"23.1-213","token":"23.1\/I\/2\/3\/23.1-213","url":"\/23.1-213\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/23.1-213\/","token":"23.1\/I\/2\/3\/23.1-213","dublin_core":{"Title":"Definitions","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 23.1-213","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section><p>As used in this article, unless the context requires a different meaning:\n\t\t&#8220;<span class=\"dictionary\">Academic-<span class=\"dictionary\">vocational <span class=\"dictionary\">non-<span class=\"dictionary\">college<\/span> degree school<\/span><\/span><\/span>&#8221; means a <span class=\"dictionary\">non-<span class=\"dictionary\">college<\/span> degree school<\/span> that offers degree and <span class=\"dictionary\">nondegree credit<\/span> courses.\n\t\t&#8220;<span class=\"dictionary\">Agent<\/span>&#8221; means a person who is employed by any <span class=\"dictionary\">institution of higher education<\/span> or <span class=\"dictionary\">non-<span class=\"dictionary\">college<\/span> degree school<\/span>, whether such institution or school is located within or outside the Commonwealth, to act as an <span class=\"dictionary\">agent<\/span>, solicitor, procurer, broker, or independent contractor to procure students or enrollees for any such institution or school by solicitation in any form at any place in the Commonwealth other than the office or principal location of such institution or school.\n\t\t&#8220;<span class=\"dictionary\">Certificate<\/span>&#8221; means an award that is given by (i) <span class=\"dictionary\">institutions<\/span> of higher education and <span class=\"dictionary\">academic-<span class=\"dictionary\">vocational <span class=\"dictionary\">non-<span class=\"dictionary\">college<\/span> degree schools<\/span><\/span><\/span> for successful completion of a curriculum consisting of courses that may also be taken for <span class=\"dictionary\">degree credit<\/span> or (ii) <span class=\"dictionary\">vocational <span class=\"dictionary\">non-<span class=\"dictionary\">college<\/span> degree schools<\/span><\/span> for successful completion of a curriculum. &#8220;<span class=\"dictionary\">Certificate<\/span>&#8221; includes a diploma.\n\t\t&#8220;<span class=\"dictionary\">College<\/span>&#8221; means any <span class=\"dictionary\">associate-degree-granting<\/span> <span class=\"dictionary\">institution of higher education<\/span> or <span class=\"dictionary\">institution of higher education<\/span> at which a bachelor&#8217;s degree is the most advanced degree that is granted.\n\t\t&#8220;<span class=\"dictionary\">Continuing or professional education<\/span>&#8221; means those classes, courses, and <span class=\"dictionary\">programs<\/span> designed specifically for individuals who have completed a degree in a professional field that (i) are intended to fulfill the continuing education requirements for licensure or certification in such professional field, (ii) have been approved by a legislatively or judicially established board or agency responsible for regulating the practice of the profession, and (iii) are offered exclusively to an individual practicing in such professional field.\n\t\t&#8220;Degree&#8221; means any earned award at the associate, <span class=\"dictionary\">baccalaureate<\/span>, graduate, first professional, or specialist levels that represents satisfactory completion of the requirements of a program or course of study or instruction beyond the secondary school level.\n\t\t&#8220;<span class=\"dictionary\">Degree credit<\/span>&#8221; means any earned credits awarded for successful completion of the requirements of a course of study or instruction beyond the secondary school level that may be used toward completion of a <span class=\"dictionary\">certificate<\/span> or degree.\n\t\t&#8220;Distance learning&#8221; or &#8220;<span class=\"dictionary\">distance learning modality<\/span>&#8221; means any course offered by a <span class=\"dictionary\">postsecondary school<\/span> for which the primary mode of instructional delivery is by television, videocassette or disc, film, radio, computer, or other telecommunications devices.\n\t\t&#8220;<span class=\"dictionary\">Fraudulent academic credential<\/span>&#8221; means a <span class=\"dictionary\">certificate<\/span>, academic <span class=\"dictionary\">transcript<\/span>, or other document issued by a person or other entity that is not an <span class=\"dictionary\">institution of higher education<\/span> that provides <span class=\"dictionary\">evidence<\/span> of or demonstrates completion of coursework or academic credit that results in the issuance of a degree.\n\t\t&#8220;<span class=\"dictionary\">Institution of higher education<\/span>&#8221; or &#8220;institution&#8221; means any person or other entity, other than a <span class=\"dictionary\">public <span class=\"dictionary\">institution of higher education<\/span><\/span> or any other entity authorized to <span class=\"dictionary\">issue<\/span> <span class=\"dictionary\">bonds<\/span> pursuant to Chapter 11 (\u00a7&nbsp;<a class=\"law\" title=\"Definitions\" href=\"\/23.1-1100\/\">23.1-1100<\/a> et seq.), that has received approval from the <span class=\"dictionary\">Council<\/span> to (i) use the term &#8220;<span class=\"dictionary\">college<\/span>&#8221; or &#8220;<span class=\"dictionary\">university<\/span>,&#8221; or words of like meaning, in its name or in any manner in connection with its academic affairs or business; (ii) enroll students; and (iii) offer approved courses for <span class=\"dictionary\">degree credit<\/span> or <span class=\"dictionary\">programs<\/span> of study leading to a degree or offer <span class=\"dictionary\">degrees<\/span> either at a <span class=\"dictionary\">site<\/span> or via a <span class=\"dictionary\">distance learning modality<\/span>.\n\t\t&#8220;<span class=\"dictionary\">Multistate compact<\/span>&#8221; means any agreement involving two or more states to jointly offer postsecondary educational opportunities pursuant to policies and procedures established in such agreement and approved by the <span class=\"dictionary\">Council<\/span>.\n\t\t&#8220;<span class=\"dictionary\">Non-<span class=\"dictionary\">college<\/span> degree school<\/span>&#8221; means any person or other entity that offers courses or <span class=\"dictionary\">programs<\/span> of study that do not lead to a degree. &#8220;<span class=\"dictionary\">Non-<span class=\"dictionary\">college<\/span> degree school<\/span>&#8221; includes <span class=\"dictionary\">academic-<span class=\"dictionary\">vocational <span class=\"dictionary\">non-<span class=\"dictionary\">college<\/span> degree schools<\/span><\/span><\/span> and <span class=\"dictionary\">vocational <span class=\"dictionary\">non-<span class=\"dictionary\">college<\/span> degree schools<\/span><\/span>.\n\t\t&#8220;<span class=\"dictionary\">Nondegree credit<\/span>&#8221; means any earned credits awarded for successful completion of the requirements of a course of study or instruction beyond the secondary school level that may be used toward completion of a <span class=\"dictionary\">certificate<\/span> but may not be used to earn a degree.\n\t\t&#8220;<span class=\"dictionary\">Out-of-state<\/span>&#8221; means formed, chartered, established, or incorporated outside of the Commonwealth.\n\t\t&#8220;<span class=\"dictionary\">Postsecondary school<\/span>&#8221; means any <span class=\"dictionary\">institution of higher education<\/span> or <span class=\"dictionary\">non-<span class=\"dictionary\">college<\/span> degree school<\/span> offering formal instructional <span class=\"dictionary\">programs<\/span> with a curriculum designed primarily for students who have completed the requirements for a high school diploma or its equivalent. &#8220;<span class=\"dictionary\">Postsecondary school<\/span>&#8221; includes <span class=\"dictionary\">programs<\/span> of academic, vocational, and continuing professional education, except courses or <span class=\"dictionary\">programs<\/span> of continuing professional education set forth in subdivision B 4 of \u00a7&nbsp;<a class=\"law\" title=\"Exemptions\" href=\"\/23.1-226\/\">23.1-226<\/a>. &#8220;<span class=\"dictionary\">Postsecondary school<\/span>&#8221; does not include avocational and adult basic education <span class=\"dictionary\">programs<\/span>.\n\t\t&#8220;Program&#8221; means a curriculum or course of study in a discipline or interdisciplinary area that leads to a degree or <span class=\"dictionary\">certificate<\/span>.\n\t\t&#8220;<span class=\"dictionary\">Program area<\/span>&#8221; means a general group of disciplines in which one or more <span class=\"dictionary\">programs<\/span> may be offered.\n\t\t&#8220;<span class=\"dictionary\">Proprietary<\/span>&#8221; means privately owned, privately managed, and corporately structured as a for-profit entity.\n\t\t&#8220;<span class=\"dictionary\">Site<\/span>&#8221; means a location in the Commonwealth where a <span class=\"dictionary\">postsecondary school<\/span> (i) offers at least one course on an established schedule and (ii) enrolls at least two individuals who are not members of the same household, regardless of the presence or absence of administrative capability at such location.\n\t\t&#8220;<span class=\"dictionary\">Teachout plan<\/span>&#8221; means a written agreement between or among <span class=\"dictionary\">postsecondary schools<\/span> that provides for the <span class=\"dictionary\">equitable<\/span> treatment of students if one <span class=\"dictionary\">party<\/span> to the agreement ceases to offer an educational program before all students enrolled in that program complete the program.\n\t\t&#8220;<span class=\"dictionary\">University<\/span>&#8221; means any <span class=\"dictionary\">baccalaureate<\/span> <span class=\"dictionary\">institution of higher education<\/span>.\n\t\t&#8220;<span class=\"dictionary\">Vocational <span class=\"dictionary\">non-<span class=\"dictionary\">college<\/span> degree school<\/span><\/span>&#8221; means a <span class=\"dictionary\">non-<span class=\"dictionary\">college<\/span> degree school<\/span> that offers only courses for <span class=\"dictionary\">nondegree credit<\/span>. &#8220;<span class=\"dictionary\">Vocational <span class=\"dictionary\">non-<span class=\"dictionary\">college<\/span> degree school<\/span><\/span>&#8221; does not include instructional <span class=\"dictionary\">programs<\/span> that are intended solely for recreation, enjoyment, or personal interest or as a hobby or courses or instructional <span class=\"dictionary\">programs<\/span> that prepare individuals to teach such pursuits.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":"                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nDEFINITIONS (\u00a7 23.1-213)\n\nAs used in this article, unless the context requires a different meaning:\n\t\t&#8220;Academic-vocational non-college degree school&#8221; means a\nnon-college degree school that offers degree and nondegree credit courses.\n\t\t&#8220;Agent&#8221; means a person who is employed by any institution of\nhigher education or non-college degree school, whether such institution or\nschool is located within or outside the Commonwealth, to act as an agent,\nsolicitor, procurer, broker, or independent contractor to procure students or\nenrollees for any such institution or school by solicitation in any form at any\nplace in the Commonwealth other than the office or principal location of such\ninstitution or school.\n\t\t&#8220;Certificate&#8221; means an award that is given by (i) institutions of\nhigher education and academic-vocational non-college degree schools for\nsuccessful completion of a curriculum consisting of courses that may also be\ntaken for degree credit or (ii) vocational non-college degree schools for\nsuccessful completion of a curriculum. &#8220;Certificate&#8221; includes a\ndiploma.\n\t\t&#8220;College&#8221; means any associate-degree-granting institution of\nhigher education or institution of higher education at which a bachelor&#8217;s\ndegree is the most advanced degree that is granted.\n\t\t&#8220;Continuing or professional education&#8221; means those classes,\ncourses, and programs designed specifically for individuals who have completed a\ndegree in a professional field that (i) are intended to fulfill the continuing\neducation requirements for licensure or certification in such professional\nfield, (ii) have been approved by a legislatively or judicially established\nboard or agency responsible for regulating the practice of the profession, and\n(iii) are offered exclusively to an individual practicing in such professional\nfield.\n\t\t&#8220;Degree&#8221; means any earned award at the associate, baccalaureate,\ngraduate, first professional, or specialist levels that represents satisfactory\ncompletion of the requirements of a program or course of study or instruction\nbeyond the secondary school level.\n\t\t&#8220;Degree credit&#8221; means any earned credits awarded for successful\ncompletion of the requirements of a course of study or instruction beyond the\nsecondary school level that may be used toward completion of a certificate or\ndegree.\n\t\t&#8220;Distance learning&#8221; or &#8220;distance learning modality&#8221;\nmeans any course offered by a postsecondary school for which the primary mode of\ninstructional delivery is by television, videocassette or disc, film, radio,\ncomputer, or other telecommunications devices.\n\t\t&#8220;Fraudulent academic credential&#8221; means a certificate, academic\ntranscript, or other document issued by a person or other entity that is not an\ninstitution of higher education that provides evidence of or demonstrates\ncompletion of coursework or academic credit that results in the issuance of a\ndegree.\n\t\t&#8220;Institution of higher education&#8221; or &#8220;institution&#8221;\nmeans any person or other entity, other than a public institution of higher\neducation or any other entity authorized to issue bonds pursuant to Chapter 11\n(\u00a7 23.1-1100 et seq.), that has received approval from the Council to (i) use\nthe term &#8220;college&#8221; or &#8220;university,&#8221; or words of like\nmeaning, in its name or in any manner in connection with its academic affairs or\nbusiness; (ii) enroll students; and (iii) offer approved courses for degree\ncredit or programs of study leading to a degree or offer degrees either at a\nsite or via a distance learning modality.\n\t\t&#8220;Multistate compact&#8221; means any agreement involving two or more\nstates to jointly offer postsecondary educational opportunities pursuant to\npolicies and procedures established in such agreement and approved by the\nCouncil.\n\t\t&#8220;Non-college degree school&#8221; means any person or other entity that\noffers courses or programs of study that do not lead to a degree.\n&#8220;Non-college degree school&#8221; includes academic-vocational non-college\ndegree schools and vocational non-college degree schools.\n\t\t&#8220;Nondegree credit&#8221; means any earned credits awarded for successful\ncompletion of the requirements of a course of study or instruction beyond the\nsecondary school level that may be used toward completion of a certificate but\nmay not be used to earn a degree.\n\t\t&#8220;Out-of-state&#8221; means formed, chartered, established, or\nincorporated outside of the Commonwealth.\n\t\t&#8220;Postsecondary school&#8221; means any institution of higher education\nor non-college degree school offering formal instructional programs with a\ncurriculum designed primarily for students who have completed the requirements\nfor a high school diploma or its equivalent. &#8220;Postsecondary school&#8221;\nincludes programs of academic, vocational, and continuing professional\neducation, except courses or programs of continuing professional education set\nforth in subdivision B 4 of \u00a7 23.1-226. &#8220;Postsecondary school&#8221; does\nnot include avocational and adult basic education programs.\n\t\t&#8220;Program&#8221; means a curriculum or course of study in a discipline or\ninterdisciplinary area that leads to a degree or certificate.\n\t\t&#8220;Program area&#8221; means a general group of disciplines in which one\nor more programs may be offered.\n\t\t&#8220;Proprietary&#8221; means privately owned, privately managed, and\ncorporately structured as a for-profit entity.\n\t\t&#8220;Site&#8221; means a location in the Commonwealth where a postsecondary\nschool (i) offers at least one course on an established schedule and (ii)\nenrolls at least two individuals who are not members of the same household,\nregardless of the presence or absence of administrative capability at such\nlocation.\n\t\t&#8220;Teachout plan&#8221; means a written agreement between or among\npostsecondary schools that provides for the equitable treatment of students if\none party to the agreement ceases to offer an educational program before all\nstudents enrolled in that program complete the program.\n\t\t&#8220;University&#8221; means any baccalaureate institution of higher\neducation.\n\t\t&#8220;Vocational non-college degree school&#8221; means a non-college degree\nschool that offers only courses for nondegree credit. &#8220;Vocational\nnon-college degree school&#8221; does not include instructional programs that\nare intended solely for recreation, enjoyment, or personal interest or as a\nhobby or courses or instructional programs that prepare individuals to teach\nsuch pursuits.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 23-265; 1980, c. 658; 1996, cc. 691, 832; 1999, cc. 458,\n499; 2002, c. 178, \u00a7 23-276.1; 2004, cc. 671, 991; 2005, c. 447; 2007, cc. 82,\n115; 2008, c. 856; 2010, cc. 67, 263; 2013, c. 229; 2016, c. 588; 2020, c. 380.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}