Section 20.17.065. Institutional and course names.

	(a)  A postsecondary educational institution may not use any name, label, insignia, or designation which is misleading or deceiving with respect to the nature of the school, its accreditation, programs of instruction, or methods of instruction.  
	(b)  Except as otherwise provided in this section, a postsecondary educational institution may not use the term "university" or "college" in its name unless it is accredited and meets the following minimum standards, respectively:  
		(1) a postsecondary educational institution offering a baccalaureate degree, in more than one academic field area and a graduate degree in at least one academic field and having a dedication to research and the expansion of knowledge as one of its major institutional goals may use the term "university";  
		(2) a postsecondary educational institution offering a baccalaureate degree in at least one academic field area may use the term "college";  
		(3) a postsecondary educational institution offering associate degrees awarded by that institution may use the term "junior college" or "career college";  
		(4) a public postsecondary educational institution offering associate degrees may use the term "community college"; and  
		(5) repealed 9/23/2006;  
		(6) a postsecondary institution not meeting (1) - (4) of this subsection, but whose use of the terms "college," "junior college," "community college," or "university" has been approved by the commission before November 5, 1992 may continue to use the approved term.  
	(c)  An institution may only use the term "advanced" in the name of the institution or course title for training, beyond the basic level as determined by the commission, that  
		(1) enhances or upgrades preexisting professional or occupational skills;  
		(2) requires as a prerequisite the completion of a basic or intermediate level course; or  
		(3) is required for advanced licensure by a state licensing board or commission.  
	(d)  Repealed 12/31/2005.  
	(e)  A school or branch of a school otherwise exempt from regulation by the commission under state law, and substantially owned, operated, or supported by a church or religious organization and exempt from taxation under 26 U.S.C. 501(c)(3) as a religious organization, may use the terms "college" or "university" with terms describing its religious focus, such as "Bible College" or "Theological University," if that school or branch of a school meets the following:  
		(1) its programs are designed for, aimed at, and attended by persons who hold or seek to learn the particular religious faith or beliefs of that church or religious organization;  
		(2) its programs are intended to prepare its students to become ministers of, to enter into some other vocation closely related to, or to conduct their lives in accordance with the particular faith or beliefs of that church or religious organization; and  
		(3) its advertisements, solicitations, and representations to students or prospective students are clearly limited to the program purposes described in this subsection, and do not advertise or represent the provision of general educational programs or of their programs as being substantially similar or equivalent to those institutions meeting the requirements of 20 AAC 17.020 - 20 AAC 17.030 and 20 AAC 17.205 - 20 AAC 17.250.  
	(f)  A school or branch of a school that is formally controlled, or has been formally sanctioned or chartered by the governing body of an Alaska Native village or regional corporation, as defined in or established under 43 U.S.C. 1601 - 1629h (Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act), may use the terms "college" or "university" with terms describing its native cultural identity, if that school or branch of a school meets the following:  
		(1) its programs are designed for, aimed at, and attended by Alaska Natives or persons who seek to learn Alaska Native culture;  
		(2) its programs are intended to prepare its students to enter some vocation closely related to, or to conduct their lives in accordance with, the Alaska Native culture; and  
		(3) its advertisements, solicitations, and representations to students or prospective students are clearly limited to the program purposes described in this subsection, and do not advertise or represent the provision of general educational programs or of their programs as being substantially similar or equivalent to those institutions meeting the requirements of 20 AAC 17.020 - 20 AAC 17.030 and 20 AAC 17.205 - 20 AAC 17.250, unless the school or branch of a school is authorized by the commission under state law.  

Authorities

14.42.030;14.48.020;14.48.050;14.48.060

Notes

Reference

20 AAC 17.205

Authority

AS 14.42.030 AS 14.48.020 AS 14.48.050 AS 14.48.060

History

Eff. 12/30/77, Register 64; am 11/5/92, Register 124; am 10/11/95, Register 136; am 4/20/2000, Register 154; am 3/1/2002, Register 161; am 12/31/2005, Register 176; am 9/23/2006, Register 179; am 12/29/2010, Register 196