APPROVAL OF DEGREE PROGRAMS

Institutions and other educational entities planning to offer degree, diploma, or certificate programs either in Oregon or to Oregon students from outside the state must have approval from ODA before enrolling students. The application process and approval type vary by program.

AUTHORIZATION OF A FULL DEGREE PROGRAM AT A CAMPUS IN OREGON:

FOR APPROVAL TO OFFER DEGREES AT A CAMPUS OR OTHER SITE IN OREGON

All files should be submitted in an electronic format - PDF documents may be emailed to ODA or saved on a disc or flashdrive, and sent directly to the ODA office via postal, or delivery services.

Please submit:

  • The General School Application Form.
  • For each degree program, submit a Specific Program Application Form.
  • For degree programs with multiple concentrations, include a side-by-side comparison chart of all concentrations to demonstrate the similarities and differencesin courses and other requirements of the different concentrations.
  • Complete your application with all supporting documents requested.

ODA staff will contact you if further information, or a site visit, is required to process your application. Upon receipt of your application, ODA will send an invoice for the appropriate fees for review of each specific program application and authorization for a two-year period. Please allow 6 months for review and processing of your authorization to offer degree programs in the State of Oregon.

APPROVAL OF ONLINE, PLACEMENT, PARTIAL, AND HYBRID PROGRAMS

FOR APPROVAL OF EXEMPT STATUS FOR PURELY ONLINE PROGRAMS

If you are seeking ODA confirmation of your exempt status as a purely online program, please submit:

  • An Initial Approval Request form
  • A list of the degree programs offered purely online (no practicum, clinical, internships, etc.)
  • A check for $250 made out to the Office of Degree Authorization for the exemption review.
  • The following supplementary materials:
    • Fully describe your program(s)
    • Examples of any enrollment forms or contracts required
    • Information on tuition, fees, and payment and refund policies affecting Oregon students.

Please allow one month for processing of your Exemption Approval Request. ODA staff will contact you if additional information is needed to determine your exempt status. If you have additional questions about this form or the process, please contact ODA by email and allow at least one week for our response, as we do not have sufficient staff to respond to phone inquiries about online programs.

FOR APPROVAL OF PLACEMENT PROGRAMS

If you are seeking ODA approval of a placement program, such as a Clinical, Student Teaching, Counseling, or any other practicum, internship, externship, or service learning activity that is part of a degree program, please submit:

  • An Initial Approval Request form
  • A check for $500 made out to the Office of Degree Authorization for the program review fee.
  • The following supplementary materials:
    • A description of how the Placement program is structured and who is responsible for the assignment, coordination, supervision, and assessment of the student at the placement site.
    • A Qualifications of Placement Supervisor form for each preceptor, mentor, supervisor, or other designated persons who will verify, mentor, or assess the student for this Placement in Oregon.

Please allow 3 months for processing of your Placement Approval Request. ODA staff will contact you if further information or a site visit is required to process your application. If you have additional questions about this form or the process, please contact ODA by email and allow at least one week for our response, as we do not have sufficient staff to respond to phone inquiries about online programs.

APPROVAL OF PARTIAL DEGREE PROGRAMS OR COURSES FOR COLLEGE CREDIT

If you are seeking ODA approval to offer courses in Oregon for college credit, please submit:

  • An Initial Approval Request form
  • A description of the program, site, or purpose for offering these courses
  • A check for $250 made out to the Office of Degree Authorization for review of your proposal.
  • The following supplementary materials:
    • Examples of any enrollment forms or contracts students will sign
    • Information on tuition, fees, payment and refund policies
    • A full description of the courses you intend to offer with explanation of the basis for credit awarded
    • A copy of any contract, memorandum of understanding, or other agreement with any site, partner or school involved in delivery, transcript, support, or oversight.
    • Instructor Qualification forms for each instructor teaching courses in this program

Please allow one month for processing of your application for approval to offer courses for college credit. ODA staff will contact you if further information or a site visit is required to process your application.

APPROVAL OF HYBRID PROGRAMS (which include both online and on-campus courses)

Please include all of the materials required for full authorization of the degree program. In addition, please submit the following materials for supplemental review and approval to include online courses from outside the state in a degree program offered at the Oregon campus.

  • A list of the courses offered online in this degree program if these have the same name as the courses in the on-campus program.
  • An Instructor Qualification Form for each online instructor teaching students in Oregon. Please note that any administrative staff that will be in direct contact with students in Oregon may be required to submit their qualifications for approval upon request.
  • Any program differences (courses or other requirements) between the on-campus program and the online program must be shown as a side-by-side comparison to demonstrate equivalency.