Rhode Island General Laws Title 16. Education § 16-59-27. Sale and purchase of degrees solely on the basis of life experience prohibited

(a) The purchase and sale of academic degrees wherein the degree is obtained on the basis of a combination of a payment of a fee and the attainment of academic credit for so-called life experiences, without the applicant undertaking any academic coursework at the entity or institution purporting to issue the degree, shall be prohibited. Provided, this section shall not prohibit an award of academic credit for work experience or other so-called “life experience” as part of a program to obtain a degree in higher education, but shall prohibit the award of such degree solely on the basis of such experience.

(b) Pursuant to its investigative powers under § 16-59-11, the board of governors shall investigate persons and entities brought to the board's attention that purport to offer academic degrees in violation of this section. By way of direction, and as a guide in enforcing this section, the general assembly notes that higher education can take many forms, and it is not the intent of this section to curtail or limit academic freedom and/or the use of alternative methods of instruction that deviate from traditional norms. Rather, the intent of this section is to prohibit the awarding and attainment of academic degrees primarily on the basis of purchase and sale, and to prevent the fraudulent use of life and work experience to attain academic credit.