As used in this chapter:

Terms Used In North Dakota Code 15-18.1-01

  • Contract: A legal written agreement that becomes binding when signed.
  • Individual: means a human being. See North Dakota Code 1-01-49
  • Person: means an individual, organization, government, political subdivision, or government agency or instrumentality. See North Dakota Code 1-01-49
  • State: when applied to the different parts of the United States, includes the District of Columbia and the territories. See North Dakota Code 1-01-49

1.    “Authorization to operate” or like term means approval of the board to operate or to contract to operate a postsecondary educational institution in this state.

2.    “Board” means the state board of higher education.

3.    “Education” or “educational services” or like term includes any class, course, or program of training, instruction, or study.

4.    “Educational credentials” means degrees, diplomas, certificates, transcripts, reports, documents, or letters of designation, marks, appellations, series of letters, numbers, or words which signify, purport, or are generally taken to signify enrollment, attendance, progress, or satisfactory completion of the requirements or prerequisites for education at a postsecondary educational institution operating in this state.

5.    “Postsecondary educational institution” means an academic, technical, home study, business, professional or other school, college, or university, or other person, operating in this state, offering educational credentials or offering instruction or educational services, primarily to any individual who has completed or terminated secondary education or who is beyond the age of compulsory high school attendance, for attainment of educational, or professional objectives at the associate in arts level or higher.

6.    “To grant” includes awarding, selling, conferring, bestowing, or giving.

7.    “To offer” includes, in addition to its usual meanings, advertising, publicizing, soliciting, or encouraging any individual, directly or indirectly, in any form, to perform the act described.

8.    “To operate” an educational institution, or like term, means to establish, keep, or maintain any facility or location in this state where, from, or through which, education is offered or given, or educational credentials are offered or granted, and includes contracting with any person to perform any such act.