The Maryland Higher Education Commission has voted not to reconsider its decision to deny University of Maryland University College's request to offer an online doctoral program for community college administrators to in-state students, the commission chairman said.

In October, UMUC officials had appealed a decision by the state secretary of higher education that restricted the program because it would duplicate a face-to-face program at Morgan State University. But the commissioners upheld the chairman's decision and directed Morgan to develop an online version within two years instead. That prompted the University of Maryland Board of Regents to write letters to the commission, asking them to revisit the issue.

However, in a 7-2 vote Wednesday, commissioners decided against reconsidering it, said Chairman Kevin O'Keefe. Because the issue had been brought to the commission on appeal, that process has been exhausted, he said.