20 US Code 1001 (a)(5) - Accreditation

5/20/2021

20 U.S. Code § 1001 - General definition of institution of higher education | U.S. Code | US Law | LII / Legal Information Institute

LII > U.S. Code > Title 20 > CHAPTER 28 > SUBCHAPTER I > Part A > § 1001

20 U.S. Code § 1001 - General definition of institution
of higher education
U.S. Code

Notes

(a) I
For purposes of this chapter, other than subchapter IV, the term
“institution of higher education” means an educational institution in
any State that—
(1) admits as regular students only persons having a certificate of
graduation from a school providing secondary education, or the
recognized equivalent of such a certificate, or persons who meet the
requirements of section 1091(d) of this title;
(2) is legally authorized within such State to provide a program of
education beyond secondary education;
(3) provides an educational program for which the institution awards
a bachelor’s degree or provides not less than a 2-year program that
is acceptable for full credit toward such a degree, or awards a degree
that is acceptable for admission to a graduate or professional degree
program, subject to review and approval by the Secretary;
(4) is a public or other nonprofit institution; and
(5) is accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency or
association, or if not so accredited, is an institution that has been
granted preaccreditation status by such an agency or association that
has been recognized by the Secretary for the granting of
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preaccreditation status, and the Secretary has determined that there
is satisfactory assurance that the institution will meet the
accreditation standards of such an agency or association within a
reasonable time.
(b) A
For purposes of this chapter, other than subchapter IV, the term
“institution of higher education” also includes—
(1) any school that provides not less than a 1-year program of
training to prepare students for gainful employment in a recognized
occupation and that meets the provision of paragraphs (1), (2), (4),
and (5) of subsection (a); and
(2) a public or nonprofit private educational institution in any State
that, in lieu of the requirement in subsection (a)(1), admits as
regular students individuals—
(A) who are beyond the age of compulsory school attendance in
the State in which the institution is located; or
(B) who will be dually or concurrently enrolled in the institution
and a secondary school.
(c) L
For purposes of this section and section 1002 of this title, the Secretary
shall publish a list of nationally recognized accrediting agencies or
associations that the Secretary determines, pursuant to subpart 2 of
part H of subchapter IV, to be reliable authority as to the quality of the
education or training offered.
(Pub. L. 89–329, title I, § 101, as added Pub. L. 105–244, title I, § 101(a),
Oct. 7, 1998, 112 Stat. 1585; amended Pub. L. 110–315, title I, § 101(a),
Aug. 14, 2008, 122 Stat. 3083; Pub. L. 112–74, div. F, title III, § 309(c)(3),
Dec. 23, 2011, 125 Stat. 1101.)

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