ED Releases Final Rule for Institutional and Programmatic Accountability
Published November 14, 2023
By AACOM Government Relations
Advocacy Federal Policy Financial Aid Higher Education OME Advocate
- On October 24, 2023, the U.S. Department of Education (ED) released the final rule for their institutional and programmatic accountability regulations.
- Under the final rule, higher education programs are required to provide students with geographically accessible clinical or externship opportunities related to licensure within 45 days of the completion of other required coursework.
- In response to AACOM’s comments on the proposed rule, ED clarified that 3rd- and 4th-year clinical rotations would be included in this requirement but it would not apply to residency programs. However, ED declined to define geographically accessible and stated they would determine accessibility on a program-by-program basis.
- The final rule will go into effect on July 1, 2024. For more information, see ED’s fact sheet and the American Council on Education’s summary.