Academic Programs and Institutional Approvals

The Department of Collegiate Affairs, within MHEC, is responsible for establishing minimum requirements for issuing certificates, diplomas, and degrees by public and nonpublic institutions of postsecondary education in the State of Maryland in accordance with State regulations COMAR 13B.02.03. It is also responsible for approving institutions wishing to operate and offer degrees and/or certificates within the State of Maryland.

Implementation of HB1244's Academic Program Approval Process

The State of Maryland 2015 General Assembly passed legislation that permits the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) to establish regulations for the State to participate in the State Authorization and Reciprocity Agreement (SARA).

Academic Program Inventory

This site provides the complete inventory of academic programs recognized by the Maryland Higher Education Commission.
To request an Academic Program Inventory update/correction, please click here API EXCEL Document to access the EXCEL document and Instructions on how to submit your request.

Guidelines for Academic Program Proposals

This includes new or modifications to existing academic programs offered by degree-granting institutions approved to operate within the State of Maryland in accordance with State regulations COMAR 13B.02.03 UPDATED
FeeSchedule.
Letters of Intent (LOI): Starting October 1, 2025, all public senior and private nonprofit institutions need to submit a LOI to MHEC for any new graduate-level program they plan to propose within the next 6 months to 2
years. LOIs are only required for graduate-level programs. Once submitted, MHEC will review the LOIs to help identify similar programs and identify opportunities for collaboration.
Here you will find the LOI template in a fillable PDF format

LOI's may be submitted through the academic program mailbox ([email protected]) on the 1st and the 15th of every month.

Objection Process and Requirements

Approval Process for Institutions wishing to offer degrees and/or certificates within the State of Maryland
- Degree-granting institutions seeking to obtain approval to operate within the State of Maryland in accordance with State regulations COMAR 13B.02.02
- Degree-granting institutions seeking off-campus site approval in accordance with State regulations COMAR 13B.02.02
- Community College Option Conversion (DOCX) and (PDF)
- Out-of-State Institutions seeking to offer certificate and degree programs within the State of Maryland in accordance with State regulations COMAR 13B.02.01

Application for approval of a change of ownership of a private collegiate institution in Maryland.

Process for Education Institutions seeking an exemption
- Religious Institutions seeking to be certified by the State of Maryland to offer religious degrees only within the State in accordance with Annotated Code of Maryland Education Article §11–202.1 and State regulations COMAR 13B.02.04

MHEC Academic Program Review Training 11-1-2023