Links:

• ACM/EC links page
• ACM/EC ferquently asked questions
• Guidelines non-NC residents
• Search for Programs
• SREB home page
• UNC-ACM home page

The Academic Common Market allows North Carolina residents to pursue approved graduate degree programs in other participating states at the host state's in-state tuition rate.

1. Look to see whether the out-of-state degree program that you are interested in is already among those eligible for North Carolina residents through the Academic Common Market. You can either:
   • search to try to find the program of interest or
   • view all currently eligible out-of-state degree programs for North Carolina residents (where you can, for example, sort by "Program Name" by clicking on the column heading).
     
2. A degree program’s not being currently eligible does not necessarily mean that it is ineligible. If the degree program is not listed, you can request access to it through the ACM as part of the online application process. Where you specify the name of the degree program in the online application, select "Other" from the pull-down list. This will open a petition window for you to identify the program and specify a web address (or addresses) where program and course descriptions may be found.
3. In order for the program to be eligible for North Carolina residents, it must be unavailable from institutions of the University of North Carolina or be substantially different from possibly similar ones. A degree program's title does not necessarily define the program's content. As a guideline, at least one-half of the courses in the program should consist of courses not available in similar programs in North Carolina. Concentrations, options, tracks, or specializations within more general (and otherwise ineligible) degree programs must be extraordinary, specific, and structured to merit eligibility for the ACM. They must materially change the nature of the degree such that it is markedly different from degree programs that exist in North Carolina.
4. Other than specifying the degree program you are interested in, the main reason for completing the application is to provide personal information whereby your North Carolina residency can be verified for certification to participate in the ACM. You must also provide appropriate documentation (including letter of acceptance into the degree program), all of which must be received before you can be certified.
   
5. After review and residency verification (and granting by the host state of access to a degree program that had to be petitioned for), the UNC-ACM State Coordinator transmits a “certificate of residency” to the host institution’s ACM coordinator. The coordinator determines whether the certified student meets all eligibility and institutional requirements for being granted in-state status.
   
6. In most states there is no need to reapply for ACM participation once you have received approval from the host institution's ACM coordinator, as long as you are:
   • continuously enrolled in the degree program
   • do not change programs
   • maintain your North Carolina residency

If any of these factors changes (e.g., your home of record, your enrollment status, your degree program), you become subject to possible decertification. Some states require that ACM participants be enrolled full-time. It is your responsibility to communicate directly with the institution's ACM coordinator for specifics.


7. For clarification purposes, students participating in the ACM are certified for a specific degree program at a particular university. If a student changes degree programs or desires to change institutions, eligibility in the ACM will need to be recertified and may not continue.