Contractual Arrangements Involving Courses And Programs.pdf

The New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) policy on contractual arrangements involving courses and programs is based on good practices developed by regional accrediting commissions in 1997. The policy outlines principles for institutions engaged in contractual arrangements to receive or deliver credit-bearing courses and programs, ensuring accredited institutions are responsible for activities conducted in their name. Key good practices include:

1. Writing contracts that clearly establish services, periods, review conditions, renewal and termination conditions, and financial arrangements.
2. Ensuring contracts explicitly define educational courses/programs, faculty review, student support services, and access to learning resources.
3. Filing contracts with the Commission for approval and making them available on request.
4. Following good practices when contracting with non-accredited organizations, including ensuring courses/programs align with the institution's mission and purposes.
5. Maintaining control over advertising, recruitment, admissions, faculty appointment, content, evaluation, and award of credits/certificates/degrees.
6. Adhering to additional good practices for international contracts, including controlling international programs, specifying legal jurisdiction for grievances, and ensuring contracts are in English and the primary language of the international entity.