State Authorization

State Authorization

The U.S. Department of Education requires an institution offering distance education programs to acquire authorization from the states in which it operates. Specific regulations vary from state to state. The International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA) is working in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Education, as well as agencies within states and territories, to comply with required authorizations, so that we can provide educational access to students across the country. ISSA will continue to make a good faith effort to pursue state authorization from all states and districts of the United States and its territories.

State Authorization for Distance Education Programs and Students Protection

All U.S. States and Territories require post-secondary educational institutions to be legally authorized to provide post-secondary educational instruction in their geographic locale. Many of these state laws and regulations also apply to online, distance and correspondence educational instruction offered in that state. As such, the International Sports Sciences Association and its online/distance education programs must be authorized in certain states prior to offering those courses or programs to students residing in those states.

Admission of applicants outside the State of California to an online degree, certificate or individual online course offered by the International Sports Sciences Association, is dependent on ISSA's ability to secure authorization from the applicant's state of residence if such authorization is required. ISSA delivers online education programs and courses throughout the United States. All programs have been approved by California's Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education. However, many states have prescribed an "authorization" process for out-of-state institutions delivering online programs to their residents to ensure quality post-secondary education, to preserve the integrity of an academic degree, and to instill greater consumer protection for its student citizens. ISSA has taken steps to protect its students and operations through nationwide compliance: by obtaining authorization, approval, exemptions and waivers; or confirming that the International Sports Sciences Association can operate without such authorization because the state's laws do not pertain to an accredited institution or to ISSA's activities in that state.

Why It Matters To You

Before the ISSA can accept an enrollment from an online student for either a program or a course, the college must be in compliance with the regulations regarding distance education in the state in which the student resides.

States in which the ISSA has obtained authorization, a formal exemption and or are not required under various state jurisdictions and the effective dates:

Required postings:

Arkansas:

Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board certification does not constitute an endorsement of any institution, course or degree program. Such certification merely indicates that certain minimum standards have been met under the rules and regulations of institutional certification as defined in Arkansas Code §6-61-301.

California:

Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education

1625 North Market Blvd. Suite S-202

Sacramento, CA 95834

Phone: 916-574-7720

http://www.bppe.ca.gov

Indiana:

The Indiana Board for Proprietary Education

101. W. Ohio St., Suite 670

Indianapolis, IN 46204-1984

Maryland:

The Maryland Higher Education Commission

6 N. Liberty Street, 10th floor

Baltimore, MD 21201

ISSA is subject to investigation of student complaints, by the Office of the Attorney General or the Maryland Higher Education Commission. Complaints should be directed to:

Maryland Attorney General

Consumer Protection Division

200 St. Paul St.

Baltimore, MD 21202

410-528-8662 / 888-743-0823 (toll free)

Minnesota:

The International Sports Sciences Association is registered with the Minnesota Office of Higher Education pursuant to sections 136A.61 to 136A.71. Registration is not an endorsement of the institution. Credits earned at the institution may not transfer to all other institutions.

Minnesota Office of Higher Education

1450 Energy Park Dr., Suite 350

St. Paul, MN 55108

http://www.ohe.state.mn.us - 651-642-0533