Postsecondary Schools

Postsecondary Schools

• Distance Education Renewal Authorizations

  Distance Education Renewal Authorizations have been mailed out to all authorized in-state and out-of-state institutions providing distance education.  Renewal authorizations must be renewed on or before December 1, 2020 to avoid reapplying for authorization. 

  Renewal payments can be renewed online at www.thepayplace.com/mi/leo/renewals or by mail. Detailed instructions are indicated on the renewal applications.

  For those institution’s personnel that are working remotely and are unable to receive the renewal applications at their respective physical locations, they may request their renewal by email. Please contact PSS@michigan.gov, ATTN: Distance Education Authorization Renewals.

• TRANSCRIPT REQUEST REINSTATEMENT.  Effective immediately, we are now able to accept transcript requests for closed private postsecondary schools.  Please complete the Transcript Request form and mail to us with your payment.
   

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• Executive Order 2020-159 - Amending the fire code to accommodate new instruction spaces for colleges and universities
• FINAL FEDERAL REGULATIONS AND STATE AUTHORIZATION REGARDING SPECIFIC DISCLOSURES
  The new federal regulations regarding state authorization for distance education are scheduled to go into effect July 1. NC-SARA hosted a webinar on June 11, in which the regulations and their implications were discussed in greater detail. Emphasis was given to the following topics:
   
  • The new language impacting programs leading to professional licensure – regardless of mode of delivery; 
  • The requirement that institutions determine in which states students are located for the purpose of issuing state-specific disclosures; 
  • The general and direct disclosures for enrolled and prospective students; and
  • Review and discussion of the required SARA notifications in relation to the federal regulations.
  In light of regulations going into effect next week, WCET’s State Authorization Network (SAN) wrote an article on professional licensure student disclosures and how institutions might tackle these new regulations effectively and develop effective approaches to that work.
  Resources on state licensing board requirements are included in that article.
  
  Additionally, WCET/SAN has shared a handbook and a flowchart on their website which includes information and possible practices for institutions striving to achieve and maintain compliance.
   
  NC-SARA Board voted electronically to approve revised language regarding programs that lead to professional licensure.
  https://www.nc-sara.org/news-events/nc-sara-board-vote  
   
  The National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) home page is found at www.nc-sara.org.
• Distance Education Schools - Degree Granting

  The Higher Education Authorization and Distance Education Reciprocal Exchange Act (2015 PA 45) was signed by Governor Snyder on June 8, 2015, and became effective June 9, 2015.
  This act authorizes the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity to enter into reciprocal distance learning compacts; ensure that distance learning providers meet standards of practice; set annual fees; protect student records; and establish a student complaint system. In-state schools that choose to participate as part of a national reciprocity agreement are authorized to provide distance education in other member states. Out-of-state schools located in states that are not a member of a national reciprocity agreement may seek authorization under this act to provide distance education to Michigan residents. To be eligible to apply and participate, a school must be degree granting and accredited.

• Distance Education Schools - Non-Degree Granting

  Non-degree granting proprietary or trade schools, with no physical presence in Michigan, providing distance education to Michigan residents need to be licensed under the Proprietary Schools Act, Public Act 148 of 1943.

• Educational Corporations - Private College or University

  The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity has statutory powers, duties, functions, and responsibilities regarding the establishment and approval of non-public institutions incorporating private colleges and universities in accordance with Public Act 327 of 1931,  Educational Corporations-Private College or University, Michigan General Corporation Act, MCL 450.170 to 450.177.

• Proprietary Schools - Trade & Career

  Schools that provide training in a specific trade, occupation or vocation are required to be licensed by the State of Michigan, Proprietary Schools Unit, in accordance with Proprietary Schools Act, Public Act 148 of 1943. Students attending these schools do not receive a degree, but may earn a certificate of completion.