Section R4-6-307. Approval of an Educational Program

A.      To obtain the Board’s approval of an educational program, an authorized representative of the regionally accredited college or university shall submit:

1.        An application, using a form approved by the Board;

2.        The fee prescribed under R4-6-215; and

3.        Documentary evidence that the educational program is consistent   with  the  curriculum   standards  specified  in

A.R.S. Title 32, Chapter 33, and this Chapter.

B.       The Board shall review the application materials for adminis- trative completeness and determine whether additional infor- mation is necessary.

1.        If the application packet is incomplete, the Board shall send a written deficiency notice to the applicant specify- ing the missing or incomplete information. The applicant shall provide the additional information within 60 days after the deficiency notice is served.

2.        The applicant may obtain a 60-day extension of time to provide the deficient information by submitting a written request to the Board before expiration of the time speci- fied in subsection (B)(1).

3.        If an applicant fails to provide the deficient information within the time specified in the written notice or as extended under subsection (B)(2), the Board shall admin-

istratively close the applicant’s file with no recourse to appeal. To receive further consideration for approval of an educational program, an applicant whose file is admin- istratively closed shall comply with subsection (A).

C.      When an application for approval of an educational program is administratively complete, the ARC shall substantively review the application packet.

1.        If the ARC finds that additional information is needed, the ARC shall provide a written comprehensive request for additional information to the applicant.

2.        The applicant shall provide the additional information within 60 days after the comprehensive request of addi- tional information is served.

3.        If an applicant fails to provide the additional information within the time specified under subsection (C)(2), the Board shall administratively close the applicant’s  file with no recourse to appeal. To receive further consider- ation for approval of an educational program, an appli- cant whose file is administratively closed shall comply with subsection (A).

D.      After the ARC determines the substantive review is complete:

1.        If the ARC finds the applicant’s educational program is eligible for approval, the ARC shall recommend to the Board that the educational program be approved.

2.        If the ARC finds the applicant’s educational program is ineligible for approval, the ARC shall send written notice to the applicant of the finding of ineligibility with an explanation of the basis for the finding. An applicant may appeal a finding of ineligibility for educational program approval using the following procedure:

a.         Submit to the ARC a written request for an informal review meeting within 30 days after the notice of ineligibility is served. If the applicant does not request an informal review meeting within the time provided, the ARC shall recommend to the Board that the educational program be denied approval and the applicant’s file be closed with no recourse to appeal.

b.        If the ARC receives a written request for an informal review meeting within the 30 days provided, the ARC shall schedule the informal review meeting and provide at least 30 days’ notice of the informal review meeting to the applicant.

c.         At the informal review meeting, the ARC shall pro- vide the applicant an opportunity to present addi- tional information regarding the curriculum of the educational program.

d.        When the informal review is complete, the ARC shall make a second finding whether the educational program is eligible for approval and send written notice of the second finding to the applicant.

e.         An applicant that receives a second notice of ineligi- bility under subsection (D)(2)(d), may appeal the finding by submitting to the Board, within 30 days after the second notice is served, a written request for a formal administrative hearing under A.R.S. Title 41, Chapter 6, Article 10.

f.         The Board shall either refer a request for a formal administrative hearing to the Office of Administra- tive Hearings or schedule the hearing before the Board. If no request for a formal administrative hearing is made under subsection (D)(2)(e), the ARC shall recommend to the Board that the educa- tional program be denied approval and the appli- cant’s file be closed with no recourse to appeal.

g.        If a formal administrative hearing is held before the Office of Administrative Hearings, the Board shall review the findings of fact, conclusions of law, and recommendation of the Administrative Law Judge and issue an order either granting or denying approval of the educational program.

h.        If a formal administrative hearing is held before the Board, the Board shall issue findings of fact and conclusions of law and issue an order either granting or denying approval of the educational program.

i.         The Board shall send the applicant a copy of the findings of fact, conclusions of law, and order.

E.       The Board shall add an approved educational program to the list of approved educational programs that the Board main- tains.

F.       The Board’s approval of an educational program is valid for five years unless the accredited college or university makes a change to the educational program that is inconsistent with the curriculum standards specified in A.R.S. Title 32, Chapter 33, and this Chapter.

G.      An authorized representative of a regionally accredited college or university with a Board-approved educational program shall certify annually, using a form available from the Board, that there have been no changes to the approved educational pro- gram.

H.      If a regionally accredited college or university makes one of the following changes to an approved educational program, the regionally accredited college or university shall notify the Board within 60 days after making the change and request approval of the educational program change under subsection (I):

1.        Change to more than 25 percent of course competencies;

2.        Change to more than 25 percent of course learning objec- tives;

3.        Addition of a course in one of the core content areas spec- ified in R4-6-501, R4-6-601, or R4-6-701; or

4.        Deletion of a course in one of the core content areas spec- ified in R4-6-501, R4-6-601, or R4-6-701.

I.        To apply for approval of an educational program change, an authorized representative of the regionally accredited college or university shall submit:

1.        An approved educational program change form available from the Board;

2.        The fee prescribed under R4-6-215; and

3.        Documentary evidence that the change to the approved educational program is consistent with the curriculum standards specified in A.R.S. Title 32, Chapter 33, and this Chapter.

J.        To maintain approved status of an educational program after five years, an authorized representative of the regionally accredited college or university shall make application under subsection (A).

K.      The Board shall process the materials submitted under subsec- tions (I) and (J) using the procedure specified in subsections

(B) through (D).

L.       Unless an educational program is currently approved by the Board under this Section, the regionally accredited college or university shall not represent that the educational program is Board approved in any program or marketing materials.

Historical Note

New Section made by exempt rulemaking at 14 A.A.R. 2714, effective June 6, 2008 (Supp. 08-2). Section repealed; new Section by final exempt rulemaking pursu- ant to Laws 2015, Chapter 154, § 10, at 21 A.A.R. 2630,

effective November 1, 2015 (Supp. 15-4).