Minnesota Administrative Rules

1105.1400 SEMESTER HOUR; ACCREDITATION; CREDIT FOR COURSES.

Subpart 1.

Definition; semester hour.

As used in this chapter, a "semester hour" means the conventional college semester hour. Quarter hours may be converted to semester hours by multiplying them by two-thirds.

Subp. 2.

Definition; accreditation.

As used in this chapter, "accreditation" refers to the process of quality control of the education process. There are three different levels of accreditation referred to in this chapter and the degree to which the board relies on accreditation differs according to the level at which the degree-granting institution is accredited. The three levels of accreditation are described in items A to C.

A.

Level one accreditation, the educational institution, is granted to a four-year, degree-granting college or university that is accredited by one or more recognized regional or national accrediting agencies or successor agencies listed with the United States Department of Education.

B.

Level two accreditation, the business school, is granted to a business school or college of business that has been accredited by a national accreditation agency listed with the United States Department of Education, such as the American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), following a specific and comprehensive review of its faculty, resources, and curricula. In evaluating a candidate's credentials, the board shall rely on this accreditation as evidence that the institution's business school has met minimum overall standards of quality for such schools.

C.

Level three accreditation, the accounting program or department, is granted to an accounting program or department that has been accredited by a national accreditation agency listed with the United States Department of Education, such as the AACSB. Accounting programs or departments accredited in this manner have met standards substantially higher and much more specific than those required for level one or level two accreditation. For level three accreditation, the accounting program or department must meet a stringent set of standards that address faculty credentials, student quality, physical facilities, and curricula. Graduates who submit transcripts from accredited accounting programs shall be deemed to have met the board's specific accounting and business course requirements.

Subp. 3.

Institution accredited when degree is granted.

A candidate is considered as graduating from an accredited educational institution if, at the time the educational institution grants the applicant's degree, it is accredited at the appropriate level as outlined in this chapter.

Subp. 4.

Institution accredited when applicant files with board.

If an educational institution was not accredited at the time an applicant's degree was received, but is so accredited at the time the application is filed with the board, the institution is considered to be accredited for the purpose of subpart 3, if it:

A.

certifies that the applicant's total educational program would qualify the applicant for graduation with a baccalaureate degree during the time the institution has been accredited; and

B.

furnishes the board satisfactory proof, including college catalogue course numbers and descriptions, that the preaccrediting courses used to qualify the applicant as an accounting major are substantially equivalent to postaccrediting courses.

Subp. 5.

Degree includes courses taken at nonaccredited institution.

If an applicant's degree was received at an accredited educational institution pursuant to subpart 3 or 4, but the educational program that was used to qualify the applicant as an accounting major included courses taken at nonaccredited institutions, either before or after graduation, the courses are considered to have been taken at the accredited institution from which the applicant's degree was received, if the accredited institution either:

A.

has accepted the courses by including them in its official transcript; or

B.

has certified to the board that it will accept the courses for credit toward graduation.

Subp. 6.

College or university not accredited.

A graduate of a four-year, degree-granting college or university not accredited at the time the applicant's degree was received or at the time the application was filed is considered to be a graduate of an accredited educational institution if:

A.

a credentials evaluation service approved by the board certifies that the applicant's degree is equivalent to a degree from an accredited educational institution defined in subpart 2, item A; or

B.

(1) an accredited educational institution as defined by subpart 2, item A, accepts the applicant's nonaccredited baccalaureate degree for admission to a graduate business degree program;

(2)

the applicant satisfactorily completes at least 15 semester hours, or the equivalent, in postbaccalaureate education at the accredited educational institution, of which at least nine semester hours, or the equivalent, is in accounting; and

(3)

the accredited educational institution certifies that the applicant is in good standing for the continuation in the graduate program, or has maintained a grade point average in these courses that is necessary for graduation.

Subp. 7.

Advanced subjects.

The advanced subjects completed to qualify under subpart 6, item B, subitem (2), shall not be used to satisfy the requirements of subpart 8.

Subp. 8.

Accounting and business concentration.

The accounting and business concentration or equivalent described in Minnesota Statutes, section 326A.03, subdivision 3, must consist of the semester hours specified in part 1105.1500, subpart 1. No more than six hours may be recognized for internships or life experience.

Statutory Authority:

MS s 326.18; 326A.02

History:

27 SR 1425; 30 SR 422

Published Electronically:

September 18, 2008