ORS 348.609
Representation of possession of academic degree

  • complaints
  • civil penalties
  • rules
  • fees

(1)

A person may not claim or represent that the person possesses any academic degree unless the degree has been awarded to or conferred upon the person by a school that:

(a)

Has accreditation recognized by the United States Department of Education or the foreign equivalent of such accreditation;

(b)

Has been approved by the Higher Education Coordinating Commission to offer and confer degrees in Oregon;

(c)

Is described in ORS 348.597 (Applicability of ORS 348.594 to 348.615); or

(d)

Is located in the United States and has been found by the commission to meet standards of academic quality comparable to those of an institution located in the United States that has accreditation, recognized by the United States Department of Education, to offer degrees of the type and level claimed by the person.

(2)

Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a)

A person who has been awarded a degree from a school other than a school described in subsection (1) of this section may claim or represent that the person possesses an academic degree if:

(A)

The person has been awarded a degree from a school that has the legal authority to issue degrees in the jurisdiction where the degree is issued; and

(B)

The claim or representation is accompanied by a disclaimer that states: “(Name of school) does not have accreditation recognized by the United States Department of Education and has not been approved by the Higher Education Coordinating Commission.”

(b)

A disclaimer allowed under this subsection shall be made in any resume, letterhead, business card, announcement or advertisement in which the person is claiming or representing to have an academic degree from a school that does not meet the requirements of subsection (1) of this section.

(c)

A person may not use a disclaimer described in this subsection for a degree received from a diploma mill.

(d)

This subsection does not alter any requirement for obtaining a license, admission into a school, teaching or employment or for other areas in which a degree from an accredited school is required.

(3)

The commission shall adopt, by rule, standards and procedures for responding to complaints about degree claims and for validation of degree claims. Failure of a person to provide documentation of a claimed degree shall be prima facie evidence that the claim of such person to such degree is a violation of this section.

(4)

The commission, by rule, may impose a fee on any school or person requesting validation of degree claims. The amount of the fee shall be established to recover designated expenses incurred by the commission in carrying out the administration of ORS 348.594 (Definitions for ORS 348.594 to 348.615) to 348.615 (Appeal procedure). Any fees collected under this subsection shall be deposited in the Degree Authorization Account established under ORS 348.601 (Degree Authorization Account).

(5)

Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a)

The commission may cause a civil suit to be instituted in the circuit court for legal or equitable remedies, including injunctive relief, to ensure compliance with this section. The commission may recover attorney fees and court costs for any such action.

(b)

The commission shall adopt a schedule of civil penalties for violations of this section. A civil penalty shall not exceed $1,000 per violation.

(c)

In addition to any action or penalty provided by law, any person who violates this section shall incur a civil penalty in an amount prescribed by the schedule adopted by the commission. Any civil penalty imposed under this subsection shall be imposed in the manner provided in ORS 183.745 (Civil penalty procedures). All penalties recovered under this subsection shall be paid into the State Treasury and credited to the General Fund.

(6)

The provisions of this section do not apply to a person who is a graduate of a veterinary college, or a veterinary department of a university or college, of good standing and repute, as determined by the Oregon State Veterinary Medical Examining Board. [1997 c.652 §12; 2001 c.454 §1; 2003 c.674 §3; 2005 c.196 §4; 2005 c.546 §10a; 2009 c.173 §1; 2011 c.637 §186]

Source: Section 348.609 — Representation of possession of academic degree; complaints; civil penalties; rules; fees, https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors348.­html.

348.005
Policy on student financial aid
348.007
Financial aid eligibility for students with modified or extended diplomas
348.015
Definitions
348.017
Requirements for contracts between post-secondary institutions of education and third party financial firms for disbursement and management of financial aid funds
348.100
Student loan information provided to students enrolled in institutions of higher education
348.105
Loan obligations enforceable against minor
348.180
Definitions
348.183
Legislative intent
348.205
Oregon Opportunity Grant program
348.250
Procedure for awarding grants under ORS 348.260
348.260
Oregon Opportunity Grant
348.263
Award of moneys from Oregon Opportunity Grant program to reward student persistence and encourage degree completion
348.266
Opportunity Grant Fund
348.267
Marketing of tax credit
348.268
Scholarships for current or former members of National Guard
348.270
Scholarships for children of public safety officers
348.272
Scholarships for current or former foster children
348.280
Award of scholarships under ORS 348.270 and 348.272
348.290
Financial aid to study barbering, hairdressing, manicure and esthetics
348.295
Scholarships for culturally and linguistically diverse teacher candidates
348.303
Scholars for a Healthy Oregon Initiative
348.394
Definitions for ORS 348.394 to 348.406
348.398
Department of Education authority
348.401
Grant eligibility
348.403
Stipend eligibility
348.406
Speech-Language Pathologist Training Fund
348.440
Definitions for ORS 348.444 and 348.448
348.444
Nursing Faculty Loan Repayment Program
348.448
Program eligibility
348.470
Legislative findings
348.500
Purpose
348.505
“Financial aid” defined
348.511
Office of Student Access and Completion
348.520
Duties of director
348.530
Powers
348.560
Staff
348.563
Authority of Higher Education Coordinating Commission to require fingerprints
348.570
Funds in State Treasury
348.576
STEM Fund
348.580
Agreements with community foundations
348.582
Definitions
348.584
Provision of information about affordability and value of institutions of higher education
348.586
Prohibited promotional activities for institutions of higher education
348.590
Continuous appropriation of certain funds
348.592
Loan cancellation insurance
348.594
Definitions for ORS 348.594 to 348.615
348.596
Purpose of ORS 348.594 to 348.615
348.597
Applicability of ORS 348.594 to 348.615
348.601
Degree Authorization Account
348.603
Duties of commission relating to degree authorization and nondegree programs
348.604
Exemption from ORS 348.594 to 348.615
348.605
Restrictions and duties of exempted schools
348.606
Prohibition on conferring or offering of degree before approval obtained
348.607
Fee for exemption application
348.608
Certification by exempt school
348.609
Representation of possession of academic degree
348.612
Probation or suspension or revocation of approval
348.613
Bond or letter of credit requirement for schools approved to confer academic degree
348.615
Appeal procedure
348.616
Minimum criteria for certification of employer program
348.618
Requirements for program certification application
348.621
Requirements for tax credit certification application
348.696
Education Stability Fund
348.702
Oregon Growth Account
348.716
Oregon Education Fund
348.748
Short title
348.750
Definitions
348.751
Textbook affordability plan
348.752
Coordination of OER Program
348.756
Report on OER Program
348.757
Designation of courses whose materials consist of open or free textbooks or other low-cost course materials
348.900
Needs assessment for health care occupations
348.910
Applied baccalaureate degrees
348.950
Education Commission of the States
348.992
Criminal penalty
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