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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>60133</law_id><section_number>23.1-215</section_number><catch_line>Authority of the Council; regulations; standards for postsecondary schools; delegation of authority to Executive Director</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><referred_to_by><reference>23.1-220</reference></referred_to_by><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="23.1">Institutions of Higher Education; Other Educational and Cultural Institutions</unit><unit label="subtitle" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="I">General Provisions</unit><unit label="chapter" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="2">State Council of Higher Education for Virginia</unit><unit label="article" level="4" order_by="1" identifier="3">Regulation of Certain Private and Out-of-State Institutions of Higher Education</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> The <span class="dictionary">Council</span> shall adopt, pursuant to the Administrative Process Act (&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Short title; purpose" href="/2.2-4000/">2.2-4000</a> et seq.), such regulations as may be necessary to implement the provisions of this article, including (i) procedures by which a <span class="dictionary">postsecondary school</span> may apply for <span class="dictionary">Council</span> approval to confer <span class="dictionary">degrees</span> in the Commonwealth; (ii) measures designed to ensure that all <span class="dictionary">postsecondary schools</span> that are subject to the provisions of this article meet the minimal standards established pursuant to subsection B; (iii) protections for students pursuing postsecondary education opportunities in <span class="dictionary">postsecondary schools</span> subject to the provisions of this article; and (iv) information to assist persons who rely on postsecondary <span class="dictionary">degrees</span> or <span class="dictionary">certificates</span> to <span class="dictionary">judge</span> the competence of individuals in receipt of such <span class="dictionary">degrees</span> or <span class="dictionary">certificates</span>. <a id="paragraph-220032" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/23.1-215/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> The <span class="dictionary">Council</span> shall establish minimal standards for <span class="dictionary">postsecondary schools</span> that include standards for faculty preparation and experience, educational <span class="dictionary">programs</span>, physical plants, additional locations, finances, guaranty instruments, advertising and publications, maintenance of student records, personnel qualifications, student services, the method for collecting and refunding tuition and fees, library resources and services, organization and administration, changes of ownership or control, procedures for student admission and graduation, <span class="dictionary">agent</span> or solicitor requirements, consistency of a <span class="dictionary">postsecondary school</span>&#x2019;s stated purpose with the proposed offerings, reporting requirements, and any other relevant standards or requirements adopted by an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. <a id="paragraph-220033" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/23.1-215/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C"><p><span class="prefix-number">C.</span> The <span class="dictionary">Council</span> shall prescribe the manner, conditions, and language to be used by a <span class="dictionary">postsecondary school</span> or <span class="dictionary">agent</span> of such school to disclose or advertise that the <span class="dictionary">postsecondary school</span> has received certification from the <span class="dictionary">Council</span> to offer postsecondary <span class="dictionary">programs</span> in the Commonwealth. <a id="paragraph-220034" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/23.1-215/#C"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D"><p><span class="prefix-number">D.</span> The <span class="dictionary">Council</span> may establish separate certification criteria for various <span class="dictionary">postsecondary school</span> classifications. <a id="paragraph-220035" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/23.1-215/#D"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="E"><p><span class="prefix-number">E.</span> The <span class="dictionary">Council</span> may grant to its Executive Director the authority to take specific actions on its behalf in furtherance of the provisions of this article. <a id="paragraph-220036" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/23.1-215/#E"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>Code 1950, &#xA7; 23-268; 1980, c. 658; 1996, cc. 691, 832; 2002, c. 178, &#xA7; 23-276.3; 2004, c. 991; 2005, c. 447; 2016, c. 588; 2025, c. 144.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
