Degree-Granting Authority for Out-of-State Institutions

Out-of-State institutions of higher education seeking authority to offer degrees and credit bearing courses in Massachusetts must submit an application to the Board of Higher Education (BHE).

Application Process

Out-of-state institutions must submit an application and necessary fee to the BHE. In addition, a Foreign Corporation Certificate must also be filed be with the Secretary of the Commonwealth, which is then referred to the BHE for investigation of the institution, its faculty, equipment, courses of study, financial organization, leadership, and other relevant facts. Note: Out-of-State institutions must have the requisite degree-granting authority in their state of charter origin and must be accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education or by a regional and/or national accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Higher Education.

Before submitting an application, institutions are advised to review protocols, procedures and regulations on this page, and contained in 610 CMR 2.00 and are strongly encouraged to contact Department of Higher Education (DHE) staff to discuss processes and procedures.

Note: All application materials must be submitted in the DHE’s EDvera Portal. To request portal access, institutions should contact programreview@dhe.mass.edu.Please do not mail program review applications to the DHE unless instructed to do so by DHE staff.

Out-of-State Online Program Approval

Massachusetts joined SARA in 2018. If an institution is approved to operate under SARA by its home state, any online programs are governed by the terms of the SARA Operations and Policy Manual.

Institutions not authorized to participate in SARA are advised to contact DHE program review staff at programreview@dhe.mass.edu to determine if BHE approval is required.