Indiana Office for Career and Technical Schools

The Office for Career and Technical Schools (OCTS) provides Indiana accreditation for non-degree granting, non-credit bearing postsecondary proprietary educational institutions. Accreditation is provided at the institutional level and does not include program or curriculum approval.

____     Public, in-state degree granting institutions
____     Public, out-of-state degree granting institutions                
____     Private, in-state, not-for-profit degree granting institutions
____     Private, out-of-state, not-for-profit degree granting institutions 
____     Private, in-state, for-profit degree granting institutions
____     Private, out-of-state, for-profit degree granting institutions
_X__     Public, in-state, non-degree granting institutions
_X__     Public, out-of-state, non-degree granting institutions
____     Non-degree, not-for profit institutions
_X__     Non-degree, for-profit institutions
____     Religious institutions
____     Tribally-controlled institutions
____     Federal Institutions
____     Municipal institutions

__X___Institution     _____Program     _____Both

OCTS Authorization is defined by Indiana Code (IC 22-4.1-21-2) Certification of a status of approval or authorization to do business as a postsecondary proprietary educational institution. OCTS provides authorization at the institutional level and does not provide program or curriculum approval.

No

N/A

Accreditation Required for:
_____  Public, out-of-state degree granting institutions                
_____  Private, in-state, not-for-profit degree granting institutions
_____  Private, out-of-state, not-for-profit degree granting institutions 
_____  Private, in-state, for-profit degree granting institutions
_____  Private, out-of-state, for-profit degree granting institutions
_____  Public, in-state, non-degree granting institutions
_____  Public, out-of-state, non-degree granting institutions
_____  Non-degree, not-for profit institutions
_____  Non-degree, for-profit institutions
_____  Religious institutions
_____  Tribally-controlled institutions
_____  Federal Institutions
_____  Municipal institutions

Regional or national accreditation is not required for OCTS accreditation.

OCTS provides exemptions to Institutions that do not meet the definition of a postsecondary proprietary educational institution (definition below).

If so, for which types of institutions? Definition below.

Which types of programs? OCTS provides accreditation at the institutional level not program level.

Please provide web link. www.octs.dwd.in.gov

IC 22-4.1-21-9 defines a postsecondary proprietary educational institution as “a person [IC 22-4.1-21-8] doing business in Indiana by offering to the public, for a tuition, fee, or charge, instructional or educational services or training in a technical, professional, mechanical, business, or industrial occupation, in the recipient’s home, at a designated location, or by mail.  The term does not include the following:

1. A postsecondary credit bearing proprietary educational institution authorized by the board for proprietary education under IC 21-18.5-6.
2. A state educational institution or another educational institution established by law and financed in whole or in part by public funds.
3. A postsecondary proprietary educational institution approved or regulated by any other state regulatory board, agency, or commission.
4. An elementary or secondary school attended by students in kindergarten or grades 1 through 12 and supported in whole or in part by private tuition payments.
5. Any educational institution or educational training that:
   • Is maintained or given by an employer or group of employers, without charge, for employees or for individuals the employer anticipates employing;
   • Is maintained or given by a labor organization, without charge, for its members or apprentices;
   • Offer exclusively instruction that is clearly self-improvement, motivational, or avocational in intent (including instruction in dance, music, or self-defense, and private tutoring); or
   • Is a Montessori or nursery school
6. A privately endowed two (2) or four (4) year degree granting institution that is regionally accredited and whose principal campus is located in Indiana.”

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Yes

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Same as question 4A1 – 3.

If the institution is 100% online and located in Indiana, they require authorization. If the institution is 100% online and located outside of Indiana, and they come into Indiana for conducting training at a physical location, for the solicitation or enrollment of Indiana residents, they require authorization. If the 100% online institution advertising, soliciting, or enrolling students in Indiana or wishing to be included on Indiana’s Eligible Training Provider List (ETPL), they require to be regulated by OCTS.

Physical presence, conducts training, and performs solicitation or enrollment of residents in Indiana.

www.octs.dwd.in.gov

No response provided

n/a – OCTS is not part of the SARA agreement

Student complaints are handled within our agency (DWD). OCTS is responsible for reviewing and responding to student claims for monetary reimbursement against post-secondary proprietary schools that are non-credit bearing and non-degree granting. OCTS adjudicates only claims for monetary reimbursement and cannot adjudicate claims involving programmatic content. Monetary claims for reimbursement are limited to tuition and fees paid out of pocket by the student. OCTS does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate claims for reimbursement of scholarships, financial assistance, or fee reductions. OCTS cannot offer legal advice or initiate civil court cases.

OCTS is not part of the SARA agreement

Email: OCTS@dwd.in.gov (General OCTS inbox and then directed to the Director: Jessica Deaton)

Mailing Address: Complaint Adjudicator DWD / Office for Career and Technical Schools

10 N Senate Ave, SE 308

Indianapolis, IN 46204

n/a – OCTS is not part of the SARA agreement

Students filing claims need to meet the requirements:

1. Be a current or former student (within 5 years) in a program at a school regulated by OCTS.
2. Follow and exhaust the school’s complaint resolution process with the school directly; or provide a detailed explanation as to why the school’s complaint process was not completed.
3. File a formal claim with OCTS by completing the online Student Complaint Form, and attaching the following documents:

• A statement of the facts supporting the claim and outlining the problem, and
• A copy of the enrollment agreement signed by the student, and
• Copies of all receipts for tuition paid by cash, check, money order or credit card, and
• Any other material which substantiates the claim.

When the student’s initial claim is determined valid by OCTS, OCTS will forward a copy of the claim to the school, and the school will have three weeks to respond.  Upon receipt of the school’s response, OCTS will adjudicate the claim and issue a final determination.  Both the student and the school will receive notification of the OCTS final determination.

OCTS handles all student complaints for institutions accredited by OCTS.

No, OCTS only has the authority to entertain student complaints from an institution operating legally in Indiana. If the institution does not have OCTS accreditation, the Indiana Attorney General becomes involved for student protection.

Contact Name: Jessica Deaton

Title: Director of Indiana Office for Career and Technical Schools (OCTS)

Agency: Department of Workforce Development

Address: 10 N Senate Ave, Rm 308, Indianapolis, IN 46204

Email: OCTS@dwd.in.gov

Phone:

URL: https://www.OCTS.dwd.in.gov

www.octs.dwd.in.gov

OCTS currently only accepts written student complaints using the Student Complaint Form.

OCTS can only order a tuition refund if a portion or all the tuition payment is out-of-pocket. If the complaint is ADA or EO in nature, the student is referred to the Indiana Civil Rights Commission.

Yes

www.octs.dwd.in.gov

The Surety Bond amount is determined by the amount of tuition and fees the institution incurs during the previous year.

Yes

All institutions are regulated by OCTS.

www.octs.dwd.in.gov

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Yes

All institutions are regulated by OCTS.

www.octs.dwd.in.gov

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Program information (name, cost, length, credential earned); student level data (graduation rate, graduation & drop, placement (if applicable)).

Student level data is reported quarterly

No

None – spreadsheet is emailed to OCTS@dwd.in.gov

Currently, working to digitalize the OCTS process, including data reporting.

If the institution does not submit documentation by the expiration date, the institution’s authorization status will be suspended until the documentation is submitted and deemed valid. If the institution does not submit the quarterly payment to the Career College Student Assurance Fund (CCSAF) by the due date, the institution’s authorization status will be suspended until the CCSAF payment is received. If the institution is suspended AND the CCSAF payment is not received by the due date, the institution’s authorization status may be revoked, and the institution will not be able to obtain authorization in Indiana for 5 years.

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See c below.

www.octs.dwd.in.gov

Institutions must submit a Determination of Status Questionnaire for OCTS to determine if the institution meets the definition of a non-degree granting, non-credit bearing, postsecondary proprietary educational institution. Once it is determined that the institution requires accreditation, the institution will complete the New School Orientation then submit the Initial Application for Authorization including all documentation and fees and a comprehensive site visit. Authorization is not guaranteed to be awarded, OCTS authorization is not a license. If Temporary Authorization is awarded, the institution will operate for up to 11 months before the Application for Full Authorization is required to be submitted. Once Full Authorization is awarded, the authorization status will last for one year and an annual renewal application, documentation and fees is required.

Currently, working to digitalize the OCTS process, including Determination of Status Questionnaire and application for authorization.

Yes

Initial Application Fee

• In-state $1,000
• Out-of-State $2,000
• Accreditation Renewal $500

www.octs.dwd.in.gov

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If OCTS is aware ahead of the closure, OCTS requests the records to be sent to OCTS. OCTS will then service the records or they will be sent to the Indiana Archives and Records Administration.

Agency Name: OCTS or IARA
Contact Person: Barbara Buffington
Contact Phone:
Contact Address: 10 N Senate Ave, Rm 308, Indianapolis, IN 46204
Contact Email: OCTS@dwd.in.gov
Contact web site: https://www.in.gov/dwd/2731.htm

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