§ 16-40-2. Authority to grant degrees not presumed.
Authority to grant academic, collegiate, professional, or other degrees recognizing learning, scholarship, or achievement shall not be included in, or presumed to be part of, the functions of a corporation or of an institution of education unless its charter or the articles of association shall specifically indicate that the institution is nonprofit and specifically indicate the power to grant degrees and the nature of the degrees to be granted; and no corporation or association shall grant academic, collegiate, professional, or similar degrees without specific authorization; and for institutions offering an associates degree or higher, have received full New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) accreditation or for distance-learning purposes only, a degree-granting institution has full accreditation by a regional accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education and equivalent to NEASC within five (5) years of its incorporation or establishment within this state or five (5) years of being permitted to transact business within this state unless exempt pursuant to § 16-40-10.
History of Section.P.L. 1932, ch. 1897, § 2; G.L. 1938, ch. 200, § 2; G.L. 1956, § 16-40-2; P.L. 1987, ch. 378, § 1; P.L. 2004, ch. 188, § 1; P.L. 2004, ch. 479, § 1; P.L. 2015, ch. 207, § 1; P.L. 2015, ch. 231, § 1; P.L. 2017, ch. 50, § 1; P.L. 2017, ch. 58, § 1.
Structure Rhode Island General Laws
Chapter 16-40 - Private Schools [See Title 16 Chapter 97 — The Rhode Island Board of Education Act]
Section 16-40-1. - Approval of secondary and higher schools — Certification to secretary of state.
Section 16-40-2. - Authority to grant degrees not presumed.
Section 16-40-3. - Reference of charter amendments to boards.
Section 16-40-4. - Degrees without specific authority prohibited.
Section 16-40-5. - Revocation of approvals.
Section 16-40-6. - Degrees conferred after revocation of approval.
Section 16-40-7. - Register of approved schools and revocations.
Section 16-40-8. - Penalty for violations.
Section 16-40-9. - Prosecution of violations — Forfeiture of charter.
Section 16-40-9.1. - Injunctive relief.
Section 16-40-10. - Schools exempt.
Section 16-40-10.1. - Repealed.
Section 16-40-10.2. - Mater Ecclesiae.
Section 16-40-11. - Registration and reports of private schools.
Section 16-40-12. - Schools instructing persons above compulsory school age.
Section 16-40-13. - Promise of employment — Penalty for violations.
Section 16-40-14. - Schools unaffected.
Section 16-40-15. - Registers and blanks.
Section 16-40-16. - Student records and school closings — Notice of closing.