Office of Degree Authorization - Institution Resources

Many Oregonians attend private degree-granting colleges and universities that offer a wide range of college and career training options. If you are a representative of a private-degree granting institution, you can find information on state requirements here. All degree-granting private postsecondary institutions offering academic programs to Oregon students, including in-state and out-of-state institutions, must be approved by the Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC) Office of Degree Authorization (ODA).

Without HECC approval or explicit exemption from regulation, an institution cannot legally operate in our state, or offer valid degrees or certificates or college credit to Oregonians.

For more information on authorities, see Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS) and Administrative Rules (OARs) pertaining to the HECC and the ODA. Our office is a regulatory, authorizing state office, not an accrediting agency. The ODA is part of the HECC Office of Academic Policy and Authorization, Private Postsecondary Education unit. Our responsibilities include the following.

• Degree Authorization for Colleges and Universities: We approve college and university degrees, practicum and clinical placement programs, and other partial degree programs or activities for college credit offered in Oregon. We also provide technical support and guidance for development of new programs, faculty qualifications, compliance questions, interpretation of regulations, and more.
• Information for Students, Licensing Boards, and other State Agencies: We provide information about whether institutions are accredited and whether degree programs are approved for Oregon students. We support consumer protection by maintaining a list of authorized institutions, keeping students and the public informed with consumer alerts, and guiding students with complaints.
  

Institution Resources: Forms and Procedures

Representatives of degree-granting institutions should review the requirements described below, which includes guidance on new school applications and renewals, faculty review, administrator review, and more.

Forms and Procedures for In-state Institution AuthorizationForms and Procedures for Out-of-state Institution Authorization

Application Form for State Authorization of High School-Based College Credit

Currently Authorized Institutions

Our office maintains lists of degree-granting institutions that are authorized by the HECC to operate in Oregon:

• Authorized Oregon Private Degree-Granting Colleges and Universities: This list includes regulated ODA-authorized institutions and exempt institutions, which are authorized but do not have the same requirements for state monitoring as the other institutions. The requirements for exemption are detailed in ORS 348.604.
• Institutions Authorized to Offer Distance Education in Oregon: This list includes institutions authorized through the ODA and institutions authorized through an interstate agreement called the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA).

You can also find out more about exempt authorized colleges and universities through the Oregon Alliance of Independent Colleges and Universities.

Student and Consumer Protection

Our office provides consumer alerts regarding the status of schools, and guidance for students considering private institutions in Oregon:

• Student Resources for Private Institutions: including information on transcript requests, resources when a school closes, and more
  
• Updates and Consumer Alerts: including important information on the status of schools
  
• Student Complaint Process: processes for making complaints pertaining to ODA-authorized institutions