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Academic Common Market

A program which assists students with receiving in-state tuition when they wish to pursue a program not offered by a university in their state. There are 15 participating states in this program.

  • Be a resident of one of the 15 participating states
  • Select an eligible program for residents of your home state
  • Complete the institutions admission policy
  • Be certified as a resident of your home state by contacting your ACM coordinator.

Katherine Brackett, Ph.D,
Director of Academic Affairs
Tennessee Higher Education Commission
312 Rosa L. Parks Avenue
Nashville, TN
Phone: 615-253-7474
katherine.brackett@tn.gov

  • Florida and Georgia
    • Master of Science, Industrial Organizational Psychology
  • Louisiana
    • Bachelor of Science in Leadership with Leading Operations concentration
    • Bachelor of Science in Leadership with Leading People concentration
    • Master of Arts Communication Arts with Media Management concentration

 

Participating States:

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To locate your ACM state representative, please select the appropriate link below:

Alabama

Arkansas

Delaware

Florida

Georgia  

 

Kentucky

Louisiana

Maryland

Mississippi

Oklahoma

 

South Carolina

Tennessee

Texas

Virginia

West Virginia

 

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

*Questions and answers were taken from the SREB website. 

 

  • Acceptance into the Academic Common Market will be determined by degree program availability and verification of residency.
  • Generally, you will be required to provide evidence of your residency, providing such documents as a driver’s license, voter registration, state tax return or other documents that the state may require.
  • The specific required documents and certification vary with each state. 
  • Many states do not set a deadline to submit the application to the state ACM coordinator; however, some do. Please check with your state coordinator to determine any deadlines for application submission.
  • Application processing time can vary. For existing ACM programs, please allow two to three months for processing after you’ve submitted an application. If you are requesting a new program for the ACM, please allow four to six months for processing time, as processing for new programs can take longer.
  • To avoid the last-minute flood of applications (particularly in July and August) and tuition adjustments, it’s wise to start the application process early and before registration takes place.
  • Visit your state’s ACM Web page for more information.
  • Once you have completed the ACM application materials and residency verification documents, your home state ACM coordinator will determine your eligibility to participate in the program.
  • The coordinator also determines the certification date (for the current term or for the following term).
  • There is no need to reapply for ACM participation once you have received approval from the home state ACM coordinator, as long as you are continuously enrolled in the institution, you do not change majors, and you maintain your home state residency.
  • If your eligibility to participate in the ACM changes, you will need to be recertified by your home state ACM coordinator if you wish to reapply.
  • Many states do not set a deadline to submit the application to the state ACM coordinator; however, some do. Please check with your state coordinator to determine any deadlines for application submission.
  • Application processing time can vary. For existing ACM programs, please allow two to three months for processing after you’ve submitted an application. If you are requesting a new program for the ACM, please allow four to six months for processing time, as processing for new programs can take longer.
  • To avoid the last-minute flood of applications (particularly in July and August) and tuition adjustments, it’s wise to start the application process early and before registration takes place.
  • Each state has a specific application process. See the link for further information on your state’s ACM Web page.
  • Yes, the ACM/Electronic Campus offers students the opportunity to pursue certified degree programs via distance learning. The same eligibility requirements apply to the ACM/EC as to the ACM.
  • Texas does not include online degree programs in its ACM inventory.
  • First-professional degree programs, such as law, medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, and optometry are not offered in the ACM and cannot be requested.
 
  • If you are interested in a program that is not on the Academic Common Market program list for your state, it may be for the following reasons:
    • The program is offered in your home state.
    • The program is a high-demand program.
    • The program is offered at a single tuition rate.
    • The college or university may not participate in the ACM or ACM/EC.
    • State legislation may not allow for participation at all levels.
  • If the program you are interested in does meet the ACM guidelines, you may request that the program be added to the inventory. Contact your state ACM coordinator for more information about adding programs and to send an inquiry on your behalf.
  • Since 2009, the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) is not processing any new requests for additions to the inventory of out-of-state programs available to Virginia residents through the ACM. This restriction will remain in effect until further notice. Virginia residents may submit applications only for programs listed in the current inventory. For more information, please visit the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia’s website.
  • Since 2009, the Maryland Higher Education Commission no longer accepts requests from Maryland residents to add new programs to be available through the Academic Common Market. This restriction will remain in effect until further notice. Maryland residents may submit applications only for programs listed in the current inventory. For more information, please visit the Maryland Higher Education Commission’s website.
  • First-professional degree programs, such as law, medicine, dentistry, pharmacy and optometry, are not offered in the ACM and cannot be requested.

Most ACM institutions will not require you to pay back tuition for the years that you received ACM benefits if you change your major or program to one that is not approved for the ACM or is available in your home state. However, if you change your major during a semester, the institution may charge you the out-of-state tuition rate for that semester. If you change your major to a different program that is included in the Academic Common Market, you must be re-certified by your state coordinator.

Additional FAQ's may be viewed on the SREB website.