diff --git a/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/modulestore/tests/django_utils.py b/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/modulestore/tests/django_utils.py
index c7d3685353..9aa56b83ec 100644
--- a/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/modulestore/tests/django_utils.py
+++ b/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/modulestore/tests/django_utils.py
@@ -338,6 +338,7 @@ class ModuleStoreTestUsersMixin():
         Create a test user for a course.
         """
         if user_type is CourseUserType.ANONYMOUS:
+            self.client.logout()
             return AnonymousUser()
 
         is_enrolled = user_type is CourseUserType.ENROLLED
diff --git a/openedx/core/djangoapps/discussions/tests/test_views.py b/openedx/core/djangoapps/discussions/tests/test_views.py
index 38e6732643..580a418f47 100644
--- a/openedx/core/djangoapps/discussions/tests/test_views.py
+++ b/openedx/core/djangoapps/discussions/tests/test_views.py
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 Test app view logic
 """
 # pylint: disable=test-inherits-tests
+from datetime import datetime, timedelta, timezone
 import unittest
 
 import ddt
@@ -422,3 +423,54 @@ class DataTest(AuthorizedApiTest):
         assert data['provider_type'] == 'legacy'
         assert not data['plugin_configuration']['allow_anonymous']
         assert not data['lti_configuration']
+
+    @ddt.data(*[
+        user_type.name for user_type in CourseUserType
+        if user_type not in {  # pylint: disable=undefined-variable
+            CourseUserType.ANONYMOUS,
+            CourseUserType.GLOBAL_STAFF
+        }
+    ])
+    def test_unable_to_change_provider_for_running_course(self, user_type):
+        """
+        Ensure that certain users cannot change provider for a running course.
+        """
+        self.course.start = datetime.now(timezone.utc) - timedelta(days=5)
+        self.course = self.update_course(self.course, self.user.id)
+
+        # use the global staff user to do the initial config
+        # so we're sure to not get permissions errors
+        response = self._post({
+            'enabled': True,
+            'provider_type': 'legacy',
+        })
+        assert response.status_code == status.HTTP_200_OK
+
+        self.create_user_for_course(self.course, CourseUserType[user_type])
+
+        response = self._post({
+            'enabled': True,
+            'provider_type': 'piazza',
+        })
+        assert response.status_code == status.HTTP_403_FORBIDDEN
+
+    def test_global_staff_can_change_provider_for_running_course(self):
+        """
+        Ensure that global staff can change provider for a running course.
+        """
+        self.course.start = datetime.now(timezone.utc) - timedelta(days=5)
+        self.course = self.update_course(self.course, self.user.id)
+
+        # use the global staff user to do the initial config
+        # so we're sure to not get permissions errors
+        response = self._post({
+            'enabled': True,
+            'provider_type': 'legacy',
+        })
+        assert response.status_code == status.HTTP_200_OK
+
+        response = self._post({
+            'enabled': True,
+            'provider_type': 'piazza',
+        })
+        assert response.status_code == status.HTTP_200_OK
diff --git a/openedx/core/djangoapps/discussions/views.py b/openedx/core/djangoapps/discussions/views.py
index bf1c0a28fc..c3d69cdd9e 100644
--- a/openedx/core/djangoapps/discussions/views.py
+++ b/openedx/core/djangoapps/discussions/views.py
@@ -4,10 +4,12 @@ Handle view-logic for the djangoapp
 from edx_rest_framework_extensions.auth.jwt.authentication import JwtAuthentication
 from edx_rest_framework_extensions.auth.session.authentication import SessionAuthenticationAllowInactiveUser
 from rest_framework.permissions import BasePermission
+from rest_framework.exceptions import PermissionDenied
 from rest_framework.response import Response
 from rest_framework.views import APIView
 
-from common.djangoapps.student.roles import CourseStaffRole
+from common.djangoapps.student.roles import CourseStaffRole, GlobalStaff
+from openedx.core.djangoapps.content.course_overviews.models import CourseOverview
 from openedx.core.lib.api.authentication import BearerAuthenticationAllowInactiveUser
 from openedx.core.lib.api.view_utils import validate_course_key
 from .models import DiscussionsConfiguration
@@ -36,6 +38,33 @@ class IsStaff(BasePermission):
         ).has_user(request.user)
 
 
+def user_permissions_for_course(course, user):
+    """
+    Return the user's permissions over the discussion configuration of the course.
+    """
+    return {
+        "change_provider": not course.has_started() or GlobalStaff().has_user(user),
+    }
+
+PERMISSION_MESSAGES = {
+    "change_provider": "Must be global staff to change discussion provider after the course has started.",
+}
+
+DEFAULT_MESSAGE = "You're not authorized to perform this operation."
+
+
+def check_course_permissions(course, user, permission):
+    """
+    Check the user has permissions for the operation over the course configuration.
+
+    Raises PermissionDenied if the user does not have permission
+    """
+    permissions = user_permissions_for_course(course, user)
+    granted = permissions.get(permission)
+    if not granted:
+        raise PermissionDenied(PERMISSION_MESSAGES.get(permission, DEFAULT_MESSAGE))
+
+
 class DiscussionsConfigurationView(APIView):
     """
     Handle configuration-related view-logic
@@ -54,7 +83,12 @@ class DiscussionsConfigurationView(APIView):
         """
         course_key = validate_course_key(course_key_string)
         configuration = DiscussionsConfiguration.get(course_key)
-        serializer = DiscussionsConfigurationSerializer(configuration)
+        serializer = DiscussionsConfigurationSerializer(
+            configuration,
+            context={
+                'user_id': request.user.id,
+            }
+        )
         return Response(serializer.data)
 
     def post(self, request, course_key_string: str, **_kwargs) -> Response:
@@ -63,6 +97,7 @@ class DiscussionsConfigurationView(APIView):
         """
         course_key = validate_course_key(course_key_string)
         configuration = DiscussionsConfiguration.get(course_key)
+        course = CourseOverview.get_from_id(course_key)
         serializer = DiscussionsConfigurationSerializer(
             configuration,
             context={
@@ -72,5 +107,8 @@ class DiscussionsConfigurationView(APIView):
             partial=True,
         )
         if serializer.is_valid(raise_exception=True):
+            if serializer.validated_data['provider_type'] != configuration.provider_type:
+                check_course_permissions(course, request.user, 'change_provider')
+
             serializer.save()
         return Response(serializer.data)