The King’s College (NY) Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What are teach-out plans and teach-out agreements?

The Commission required The King’s College to complete and submit for approval a comprehensive, implementable teach-out plan with signed teach-out agreements. On May 26, 2023, the Commission acted to approve the teach-out plan.

A teach-out plan is a written plan developed by the institution that provides for the equitable treatment of students to complete their education. The purpose of the teach-out plan is to make reasonable accommodations and assist students with completing educational programs or credentials or transferring to a new institution. The Commission requires a teach-out plan and teach-out agreements when an institution risks the loss of accreditation or intends to close. Teach-out agreements are specific agreements made by the institution with appropriate teach-out partner institutions. The purpose of the teach-out agreement is to make accommodations for and assist students as much as possible and provide clear and transparent information regarding those arrangements. They are intended to facilitate students’ transition to another institution so they can graduate in a program of their choosing. These agreements are to be negotiated between The King’s College and other institutions with similar programs of study.

The Commission has approved teach-out agreements with the following MSCHE institutions:

Alfred University, Alfred, NY

Cairn University, Langhorne Manor, PA

Houghton University, Houghton, NY

Messiah University, Mechanicsburg, PA

St. Joseph’s University, New York, NY

The Commission approved teach-out agreements with the following institutions that hold accreditation with another accreditor recognized by the United States Secretary of Education:

Providence Christian College, Pasadena, CA (Accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges)

Can students transfer to another institution?

Current students can transfer at any time and to any institution, including those without a teach-out agreement. Students are entitled to receive clear, accurate, and thorough information from The King’s College about their options to pursue other educational opportunities.

Students cannot be charged additional fees for exercising the option to transfer.

Where can students transfer?

Students can apply for transfer to any institution that meets their needs and where they may qualify for admission. Transfer opportunities are not limited to those institutions that have teach-out agreements with The King’s College. Students can transfer at any time and to any institution.

What other things should students consider when transferring?

Students should look for an institution that is in good standing with accreditors. Students should always research the accreditation status of the institution they are considering for transfer. MSCHE posts accreditation status for its member institutions in the Institution Directory on our website.

Individual programs may also be accredited by a programmatic accreditor. Students are encouraged to contact both the institutional and programmatic accreditors of institutions and programs to verify the accreditation status of the institution they are considering.

Visit the MSCHE Student Resources page for additional information.

Can The King’s College charge students additional fees if they withdraw or transfer?

No, The King’s College cannot charge students additional fees for withdrawing or transferring.

Will all students receive a copy of their transcripts?

The King’s College has reported that students can obtain transcripts from the Office of the Registrar. The King’s College partners with the National Student Clearinghouse to provide transcripts and degree verifications.

Commission policy and procedure require the institution to provide a copy of transcripts to all current students. The King’s College cannot withhold student transcripts. New York law prevents institutions from withholding student transcripts and from charging students’ higher fees for their transcripts if they have unpaid debts (N.Y. Educ. Law § 640).

Houghton University, Houghton, NY has been designated as the final repository of all The King’s College student records. All academic records will be moved to Houghton University. Students will be able to obtain academic records at Houghton University, One Willard Ave., P.O. Box 128, Houghton, NY 14744. The Commission required The King’s College to provide evidence that student records have been transferred to the final repository by August 11, 2023. The institution failed to provide evidence that student records have been transferred.

Visit Resources for additional information.

How does The King’s College’s closure affect international students?

International students attending The King’s College on a student visa have unique considerations. International students may find more information at https://educationusa.state.gov/foreign-institutions-and-governments/understanding-us-higher-education/international-student.

Please note that the institution cannot withhold the transfer of international students’ I-20 to another institution due to unpaid balances. International students should research the SEVP Certification status of the institution they are considering for transfer. SEVP posts SEVP Certified schools on its website: https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/school-search.

Who should international students contact for more information?

The Department of Homeland Security’s Office of the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) encourages international students to contact the SEVP Response Center for assistance: Phone: 703-603-3400 Email: sevp@ice.dhs.gov.

Houghton University will accept the transfer of SEVIS records for international students on F-1 visas who have been approved for Optional Practical Training (OPT).

Visit Resources for additional information.

How does The King’s College’s loss of accreditation affect student athletes and eligibility?

The King’s college has reported that student athletes can contact Athletic Director Bryan Finley for additional information at bfinley@tkc.edu. The Commission is in the process of verifying this information.

Visit Resources for additional information.

What is The King’s College doing to support faculty and staff?

The King’s College’s Human Resources Office will continue to focus efforts on outplacement for existing staff and faculty. Services will continue to include engaging with and addressing employee considerations, regular emails, open office hours, reference letters, and information on state and federal programs and resources.

What do other institutions with questions about teach-out agreements need to know?

Teach-Out Plans and Agreement(s) Policy and Procedures Section IV. Procedures for the Submission of Teach-Out Agreements of the Procedures outlines the purpose of teach-out agreements, what the agreements should include, and the conditions that a teach-out partner must meet. The responsibility to develop teach-out agreements rests with The King’s College, which is required to submit a teach-out plan and agreement(s), and MSCHE does not develop the agreements. Teach-out plans and agreements must be approved by MSCHE.

A teach-out agreement should include a comprehensive description of the arrangements being made for students between the two institutions, including at least the following critical information:

Information on the number and types of credits that will be accepted by the teach-out institution.

Information on the specific locations where instruction will be offered by the teach-out institution.

Any additional financial charges or changes in tuition and fees.

A description of the relevant educational program to ensure that it is comparable in quality and reasonably similar in content, delivery modality, and scheduling.

Any institutional policy or curriculum exceptions for the benefit of the students.

Can institutions without an approved teach-out agreement accept students who wish to transfer from The King’s College?

Yes, any institution can consider transfer students from The King’s College. Institutions without an approved teach-out agreement can accept students who wish to transfer from The King’s College. If any exceptions to institutions’ policies or procedures are made to facilitate the award of transfer credit and academic progress for students, including but not limited to admissions, transfer of credit, or residency requirements, the exceptions and conditions under which the exception was applied must be justified and documented and must continue to comply with applicable law.

Can institutions receiving The King’s College students make exceptions to transfer policies or required residency policies to assist students?

Some institutions do include exceptions to transfer policies or required residency policies in the teach-out agreements; however, institutions must document under what circumstances an exception was made and the conditions that must be met for the exception to be applied. Without a teach-out agreement, institutions making exceptions to accommodate The King’s College students who transfer must also document exceptions.

Transfer Credit, Prior Learning, and Articulation Agreements Policy and Procedures requires institutions to seek to minimize the loss of credit for students wherever possible. Institutions should strive for appropriate balance among consistency, fairness, flexibility, good educational practice, and academic program integrity.

In addition, institutions must always remain mindful of state requirements and regulations and, in matters governed by state regulations, comply with state law or obtain an exception from the appropriate state agency. The institution must also comply with the requirements for programmatic accreditors.

Can institutions enter into a teach-out agreement that includes a program not currently offered?

The partner institution must have the appropriate state authority and the capacity to offer a program. Institutions are responsible for ensuring appropriate program approval and registration. Institutional representatives should outreach to their state licensing agency to ensure any requirements relating to programs delivered in the state are met. Institutions must be mindful of programmatic accreditor requirements and should consult with the programmatic accreditor to ensure that their requirements are met.

Can institutions make exceptions to some degree and/or general education requirements?

Partner institutions should do a program-to-program articulation, which includes an analysis of how student learning outcomes for courses in one institution are equivalent to outcomes for courses in the other institution. Institutions must determine degree requirements and any substitutions based on institutional policies and procedures. If exceptions are made, those should be documented and justified.

The Commission took an adverse action against The King’s College to withdraw accreditation.

Adverse actions, as defined by Accreditation Actions Policy and Procedures, include Deny Candidate Accreditation Status, Withdraw Candidate for Accreditation Status, Deny Accreditation, or Withdraw Accreditation. The Commission will take an adverse action when an institution has not demonstrated compliance, has had the opportunity to show cause, and/or the 36-month allowable time period for non-compliance has expired.

Can the institution appeal this action?

An institution has the right to appeal any adverse action pursuant to the Appeals from Adverse Actions Policy and Procedures. On July 27, 2023, MSCHE required that The King’s College submit a substantive change for institutional closure by August 11, 2023, based on information provided by the institution on July 14, 2023. The institution is no longer operational with students actively enrolled as of the fall term of 2023, which is a requirement of affiliation for all institutions. This closure terminates The King’s College’s appeal of the May 26, 2023, adverse action to withdraw accreditation.

How long will The King’s College maintain its accreditation?

The institution is required to submit the substantive change request for institutional closure by August 11, 2023. The date accreditation will cease will be determined following the substantive change request due on August 11, 2023.

Why did MSCHE take an action to withdraw The King’s College’s accreditation?

For more information and further details regarding the withdrawal of accreditation, visit The King’s College’s Statement of Accreditation Status (SAS) in the institution directory listing at the MSCHE website.

Accreditation Actions Policy and Procedures

Accreditation Review Cycle and Monitoring Policy and Procedures

Appeals from Adverse Accrediting Actions Procedures

Arbitration of Disputes Concerning Final Adverse Actions Procedures

Communication in the Accreditation Process Policy and Procedures

Public Disclosures Policy and Procedures

Standards for Accreditation and Requirements of Affiliation

Substantive Change Policy and Procedures

Teach-Out Plans and Agreement(s) Policy and Procedures

Transfer Credit, Prior Learning, and Articulation Agreements Policy and Procedures

United States Department of Education

https://www.ed.gov/

https://studentaid.gov/feedback-center/

https://fsapartners.ed.gov/help-center/fsa-customer-service-center/service-centers-for-schools/closed-school-contacts

Office of Federal Student Aid

https://studentaid.gov/announcements-events/closed-school

The above link can provide assistance if your college or career school closed while you were enrolled, or soon after you withdrew.

https://studentaid.gov/borrower-defense/

If your school misled you or engaged in other misconduct in violation of certain state laws, you may be eligible for “borrower defense to loan repayment,” sometimes shortened to “borrower defense.” This is the discharge of some or all of your federal student loan debt. Visit the link above for more information.

New York State Education Department

http://www.nysed.gov/

http://www.nysed.gov/college-university-evaluation/closures-degree-granting-institutions

http://www.nysed.gov/college-university-evaluation/transcripts

https://www.op.nysed.gov/

http://www.nysed.gov/college-university-evaluation/complaints

Student and Exchange Visitor Program

https://www.ice.gov/sevis/students

https://www.ice.gov/sevis/whats-new

https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/school-search

SEVP Response Center: Phone: 703-603-3400 Email: sevp@ice.dhs.gov

Education USA

https://educationusa.state.gov/foreign-institutions-and-governments/understanding-us-higher-education/international-student

New York Legal Assistance Group: Phone: 212-659-6166

United States Collegiate Athletic Association

https://www.theuscaa.com/landing/index

https://uscaa.prestosports.com/Eligibility_Center/Transfer_Eligibility

Hudson Valley Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

https://www.hviac.net/landing/index

How can I contact MSCHE?

MSCHE welcomes inquiries and questions. Please email communications@msche.org.