Oregon does not have statutes with requirements specific to online education; however,
Oregon law establishes requirements for educational institutions in general. In addition
to meeting the following requirements, the student must attend classes for a certain
number of hours per week. The number of hours per week depends on the type of classes
the student attends.
Grades seven through twelve: Courses offered through a public school district, a virtual public school, a virtual
public charter school, or the Oregon Virtual School District are consistent with the
laws of Oregon.
Oregon law provides requirements for private or parochial schools, and courses offered
by online private or parochial schools that meet these requirements are consistent
with Oregon law. Private schools must provide instruction in the Constitution and
history of the United States from grade eight through grade twelve; the instruction
must be in English; and students must have at least 990 hours of instruction each
year in grades nine through twelve. Private or parochial schools that offer courses
meeting these requirements are consistent with Oregon law. Obtain an opinion from
OGC if it is not clear whether a private or parochial school meets the requirements.
College or university: Online courses offered by the University of Oregon, Oregon State University, Portland
State University, Oregon Institute of Technology, Western Oregon University, Southern
Oregon University, Eastern Oregon University, and Oregon Health and Science University,
as well as any institution with the words “community college” in the official name,
are consistent with the laws of Oregon. There is also a list of community colleges
(http://www.oregon.gov/CCWD/pages/ccdirectory.aspx) that are consistent with Oregon law.
Online courses offered by accredited private colleges or universities (http://www.nwccu.org/Directory%20of%20Inst/State%20Map/Oregon/Oregon.htm) are consistent with Oregon law.
Online courses approved by the Oregon Higher Education Coordinating Commission (http://www.oregonstudentaid.gov/oda-degree-authorization-academic-programs-approved.aspx) are consistent with Oregon law.
The Oregon Office of Student Access and Completion publishes a list of educational
institutions operated by a nonprofit corporation and offering degrees in theology
or religious occupations that meet an exception to the rules. The courses offered
by the institutions listed at http://www.oregonstudentaid.gov/oda-exempt-status-religious-exempt.aspx are consistent with Oregon law.
Course of training to prepare the individual for a paying job: If a private career school is licensed and offers online courses, the course is
consistent with Oregon law. There is a list (http://education.oregon.gov/Pages/HECC--Private-Career-Schools.aspx) of licensed cosmetology schools; contact the Higher Education Coordinating Commission
for information about whether another type of private career school is licensed.
Other programs: Obtain an opinion from OGC if a program does not meet these requirements to determine
if it is consistent with Oregon law.