§ 16-59-27. Sale and purchase of degrees solely on the basis of life experience prohibited.
(a) The purchase and sale of academic degrees wherein the degree is obtained on the basis of a combination of a payment of a fee and the attainment of academic credit for so-called life experiences, without the applicant undertaking any academic coursework at the entity or institution purporting to issue the degree, shall be prohibited. Provided, this section shall not prohibit an award of academic credit for work experience or other so-called “life experience” as part of a program to obtain a degree in higher education, but shall prohibit the award of such degree solely on the basis of such experience.
(b) Pursuant to its investigative powers under § 16-59-11, the board of governors shall investigate persons and entities brought to the board’s attention that purport to offer academic degrees in violation of this section. By way of direction, and as a guide in enforcing this section, the general assembly notes that higher education can take many forms, and it is not the intent of this section to curtail or limit academic freedom and/or the use of alternative methods of instruction that deviate from traditional norms. Rather, the intent of this section is to prohibit the awarding and attainment of academic degrees primarily on the basis of purchase and sale, and to prevent the fraudulent use of life and work experience to attain academic credit.
History of Section.P.L. 2007, ch. 405, § 1.
Structure Rhode Island General Laws
Section 16-59-1. - Council on Postsecondary Education established.
Section 16-59-2. - Appointment of members of the council on postsecondary education.
Section 16-59-3. - Removal of public members of board.
Section 16-59-4. - Powers and duties of the council on postsecondary education.
Section 16-59-4.1. - Repealed.
Section 16-59-5. - Meetings of board.
Section 16-59-6. - Commissioner of postsecondary education.
Section 16-59-7. - [Repealed.]
Section 16-59-7.1. - Permanent status for non-classified employees.
Section 16-59-7.2. - Longevity payments — Nonclassified employees.
Section 16-59-9. - Educational budget and appropriations.
Section 16-59-9.2. - Military tuition waiver.
Section 16-59-9.3. - Student Success Act.
Section 16-59-10. - Existing academic privileges preserved.
Section 16-59-11. - Investigative powers of board.
Section 16-59-12. - Exemption from provisions of Administrative Procedures Act.
Section 16-59-13. - Definitions.
Section 16-59-14. - Pertinence of certain law relating to state colleges to board of governors.
Section 16-59-15. - Liberal construction of chapter required.
Section 16-59-16. - Meaning of terms in existing law.
Section 16-59-17. - Severability.
Section 16-59-18. - Receipts from sources other than appropriations.
Section 16-59-19. - Fiscal accounts — Receipts — Petty cash funds.
Section 16-59-20. - Audit of expenditures.
Section 16-59-21. - Freedom from budget and lease control by other agencies.
Section 16-59-23. - Conflicts of interest.
Section 16-59-24. - Accessibility for people with disabilities.
Section 16-59-25. - Voter registration forms.
Section 16-59-25.1. - Maintenance of voter registration files.
Section 16-59-26. - The public and private partnership in education.
Section 16-59-27. - Sale and purchase of degrees solely on the basis of life experience prohibited.