Words From the Wise: Tips for Success from Experienced Distance Education Compliance Professionals

Distance Education or State Authorization Compliance refers to the set of rules, regulations, and standards that educational institutions must follow when offering remote (often online) learning opportunities to students. Ensuring institutional compliance is an arduous task, as rules, standards, and legal requirements are ever- evolving and can vary depending on the state or territory.

Recently, there has been an increasing awareness and growing interest in distance education regulatory requirements. Colleges and universities were forced to grapple with the distance education compliance conundrum during the onset and proliferation of the COVID-19 pandemic. It was then that higher education institutions needed to quickly shift to online platforms due to lockdowns and social distancing measures.

Also adding to the regulatory complexity was the July 2020, U.S. Department of Education’s (ED) mandate (34 CFR §668.43(a)(5)(v)) requiring institutions to provide public disclosures for both enrolled and prospective students in programs leading to a professional license or certificate. It is clear why professionals working in the field play a vital role at their institutions, as they are leading distance education compliance efforts, while simultaneously fostering environments conducive to student success. {...}