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Post-Secondary Schools

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Post-Secondary Schools

About Post-Secondary Schools

  • The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity’s, Workforce Development (LEO-WD) has statutory powers, duties, functions, and responsibilities regarding the establishment and approval of non-public institutions incorporating private colleges and universities under the Michigan General Corporation Act (1931 PA 327). In addition, Proprietary schools are required to be licensed and their programs approved by LEO-WD. 

  • Announcements

    June 2026 — Massage therapy schools

    In late June 2026, the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB) announced it is discontinuing the assigned school status for massage therapy schools. Once a school’s contract with NCBTMB expires, it will not be renewed.

    Massage therapy schools have alternative options to have their education accredited under R 338.726(b) of the Massage Therapy — General Rules, such as supervised curriculum accredited by the accrediting body of the region in which the institution is located. This accrediting body must meet either the recognition standards and criteria of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation or the recognition procedures and criteria of the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE).

    Note: The Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation (COMTA) is approved by the USDOE. Programs that have COMTA accreditation or endorsed status will be able to satisfy R 338.726.

    Programs should be actively working toward ensuring their educational standards meet the requirements of R 338.726 so there is a smooth transition after the NCBTMB Assigned School Status expires. Students should communicate with their massage therapy school to ensure their education will meet the requirements for licensure.

    For clarity, the Department and Board are updating R 338.726 to specifically include COMTA as an accreditor and endorser of massage therapy education. To receive updates on the rules process, please select “Sign-up for Email Alerts” at the bottom of this page. If you have any questions about the Massage Therapy — General Rules, you may contact the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs at BPL-BoardSupport@michigan.gov. If you have questions about massage therapy schools, you may contact the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity at PSS@michigan.gov.

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Post-secondary license search

The post-secondary license search tool on Pure Michigan Talent Connect allows the public to search the entire list of post-secondary schools requiring licensure by the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) — Employment & Training (E&T).

School types

Degree-granting schools

  • Educational Corporations — Private college or university

    PSS 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.

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    Please refer to the MiPSS Educational Corporation Provider License User Guide for instructions on how to apply for a new approval to operate a private college or university in or from Michigan.

  • Distance Education Schools

    The Higher Education Authorization and Distance Education Reciprocal Exchange Act (2015 PA 45) authorizes the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity to enter into reciprocal distance learning compacts; ensure distance learning providers meet standards of practice; set annual fees; protect student records; and establish a student complaint system.

    Michigan Distance Education Authorization

    Please refer to the MiPSS Distance Educational Provider License User Guide for instructions on how to apply for a new license and/or renew your existing license. Distance Education Authorization renewals are due by December 1 of each year.

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    In-State Institution Distance Education Authorization

    In-state colleges or universities that are authorized in Michigan may wish to participate as part of a national reciprocal agreement (State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements [SARA]) to provide distance education programs in other member states. For more information, please contact PSS@Michigan.gov.

    Out-of-State Institution Distance Education Authorization

    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.

Non-degree-granting schools

  • Proprietary Schools — Trade, occupation and vocation (in-state)

    Non-degree-granting schools that provide training in a specific trade, occupation or vocation to Michigan residents are required to be licensed by the PSS, in accordance with the Proprietary Schools Act, Public Act 148 of 1943 and corresponding Administrative Rules. Students attending these schools do not receive a degree but may earn a certificate of completion. 

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    School closure procedures: Please email PSS@michigan.gov

    Please refer to the MIPSS Proprietary School License User Guide for instructions on how to apply for a new license and or renew your existing license.

  • Proprietary Schools — Trade, occupation and vocation (out-of-state)

    Non-degree-granting proprietary or trade schools that have no physical presence in Michigan but offer distance education to Michigan residents must hold a license under the Proprietary Schools Act, Public Act 148 of 1943.

    Distance education is defined as instruction delivered through one or more technologies to students who are not in the same location as the instructor, with regular and substantive interaction — either in real time or asynchronously.

    If an out-of-state school’s program includes practical training requirements, it may be required to have a physical presence in Michigan. In such cases, additional licensing or state approval may be required.

    For information regarding licensing requirements, please contact PSS@Michigan.gov.

Proprietary School Guidebook for Document Requirements

  • Applicants for a proprietary school license must submit several required documents containing specific information. The documents needed will vary based on the type of school and the programs being proposed. The Proprietary School Guidebook for Document Requirements provides information regarding the details required of each document. The guidebook also identifies common errors and provides guidance to help ensure a complete and accurate submission, which may support timely processing of the application.

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Transcript requests and education verifications

  • Closed private post-secondary schools

    • The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) Post Secondary Schools (PSS) has partnered with DiplomaSender to fulfill transcript requests and education verifications for closed private post-secondary schools. DiplomaSender is a self-service website, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for your convenience. In addition to non-public institutions, GED transcripts and educational verifications are also fulfilled through DiplomaSender.

      To order a transcript or educational verification, please visit DiplomaSender.com to submit your request and make your payment online. If you experience any issues or have any questions, DiplomaSender has a team of people to assist. DiplomaSender Specialist are available Monday through Friday, between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. EST. They may be reached through live chat by using the button in the bottom right corner of their website's homepage.

      Visit DiplomaSender.com

  • Schools licensed by a separate agency

    • PSS does not regulate the cosmetology profession and schools offering some other professions which are licensed by other departments or agencies and PSS is not the custodian for these records. Inquiries regarding verification requests for school hours completed at a licensed cosmetology school are directed to contact the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Bureau of Professional Licensing.

      LARA Bureau of Professional Licensing

  • Requesting e-Transcripts from participating high schools and public colleges

    • The Center for Educational Performance Information (CEPI) has partnered with Parchment service to give Michigan students, high schools and colleges an efficient way to request and provide transcripts. CEPI does not have transcripts, diplomas or GEDs. If your school participates in the e-Transcript program, visit CEPI's e-Transcripts page.

      Visit CEPI's e-Transcripts page

  • Requesting student records and transcripts from charter public schools and closed public school academies

    • Please visit the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) Transcript Information page for guidance obtaining transcripts for a specific entity.

      Please refer to the list of closed entities the Public School Academies Unit has access to for contact information for other closed entities.

      For entities authorized by a college or university contact the appropriate Intermediate School District (ISD) or Regional Educational Service Agency (RESA).

      For entities authorized by a local education agency contact the appropriate local education agency.

      Charter public school transcript information

Consumer complaints

Resources

Contact us

Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Opportunity — Office of Employment & Training
P.O. Box 30805
Lansing, Michigan 48933

Phone: 517-335-5858

All post secondary school inquiries should be directed to PSS@michigan.gov.
Please include your school name and license number in your inquiry.