The Application and Review Process

Degree-granting colleges and universities that would like to operate in Washington should contact us, the Higher Education Coordinating Board, at: DAinfo@hecb.wa.gov

Private vocational and technical schools that would like to offer diploma or certificate programs in Washington will need to contact the state's Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board for assistance.

How to Apply for State Authorization

Step 1: Develop a detailed proposal. Develop an administrative structure and define the degrees and programs your college or university would like to offer in Washington. Outline proposed areas and level of study, the mode of delivery (distance education or classroom-based) and a potential location.

Step 2: Contact us to set up a meeting. Please call us at least one year prior to the proposed start of operations. We will discuss the application process, the areas of review, and the details of your proposal.

Step 3: Complete and submit the application. We will review your application and contact you if we have questions or need further clarification.

For more information or an application:
Degree Authorization staff
Higher Education Coordinating Board
Phone: 360.753.7869
Fax: 360.753.7807

Areas of Review

In making our decision, we review many areas, including facilities, faculty qualifications, and publications. The areas of review depend on the type of programs the college or university would like to offer.

Authorized Institutions
We review the following areas to determine whether to "authorize” a college or university:

• Institutional mission/purpose.

• Institutional policies and procedures (for the programs offered and the students enrolled).
• Institutional infrastructure (facilities, student resources, and governing board).
• Academic programs (degree titles, requirements for admission and graduation, and curriculum).
• Faculty and staff qualifications.
• Student services (advising, job placement, financial aid, and student conduct policies).
• Financial stability (sufficient stability to sustain the institution’s purpose and commitment to students).
• Recruitment materials and publications (accuracy of information and absence of misleading statements).
• Closure procedures (appropriate procedures to protect students if the institution were to close).

Religious Exempt Institutions

We review the following areas to determine whether to grant a “religious exemption” to a college or university:

• The religious nature of the institution (the institution’s name, mission/purpose, and objectives).
• The religious nature of the degree titles, programs and curriculum.
• Recruitment materials and publications (accuracy of information and absence of misleading statements).

Foreign Degree-granting Branch Campuses

We review the following areas to determine whether to grant approval to a college or university in a foreign country to establish a branch campus in Washington:

• Authorization to operate as a degree-granting college or university in its home country.
• Programs that are begun and completed in the institution’s home country.

Specifically, students must:

• Have received academic credit for courses completed at the institution in its home country;
• Receive academic credit toward their degrees for courses completed at the branch campus in Washington; and
• Return to the institution in its home country to complete their degrees.

The state adopted the Foreign Degree-granting Branch Campus Act to encourage colleges and universities in foreign countries to establish branch campuses in Washington.

For more information, contact:
Degree Authorization staff
Phone: 360.753.7869