Agency Information

Guide Topics

Agency Contact

James Farhat
517-256-8670
farhatj@michigan.gov

Additional Contact

Alex Henderson
517-331-7565
hendersona18@michigan.gov

Secretary of State Contact

Jocelyn Benson
https://contactsos.michigan.gov/new/

Topic 1: Important Agency Information to Note

Provide important web links:

What types of institutions are subject to this agency’s authority? Indicate the types of institutions that your agency authorizes.

  • Note: Some agencies may refer to out-of-state public institutions as “private colleges” in their law.  If this is the case for your agency, please select “public, out-of-state degree granting institutions” for purposes of this Guide so that the out-of-state public institution will find appropriate information.
  • Note: If your agency is a coordinating board, your agency may have one division with some authority such as program approval over in-state public institutions that are established per statute, which is structured differently than another division of your agency with state authorization authority over non-public institutions that they “license” pursuant to different statute(s).

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

Does your agency authorize specific academic programs offered by institutions, only institutions themselves, or both?

  • For example, an agency may require an institution apply for licensure for institutional approval and also require the institution to apply for specific program(s) approval.

____ Institution

_____ Program

__X__ Both

Clarifying comments:

No response provided

Topic 2: Authorization of Distance Education

Does your agency require exclusively online offerings offered by out-of-state institutions to be authorized?

  • Meaning as example, the state regulates an out-of-state institution for merely enrolling a student into a distance education program
  • Meaning as example, a solely online program that does not have any internships and practicums

Yes

Clarifying comments

No response provided

Topic 3: Accreditation by an Accrediting Agency Recognized by the U.S. Department of Education

Is accreditation by an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education required for an institution to be authorized in your state?

Yes (depending on the type of entity being established).

If yes, please check all that apply as appropriate. Accreditation by an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education required for:

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

Clarifying comments:

Private Colleges/Universities require accreditation prior to approval; however, some proprietary schools (non-degree) granting schools do not require accreditation, but it is an option.

Topic 4: Physical Presence Policy

If your agency uses a physical presence standard, how does your agency define physical presence? Include sample triggers.

No response provided

Web link for physical presence definition.

No response provided

Does a clinical/internship trigger the requirement for authorization with your agency?

No

Does a virtual clinical / internship trigger the requirement for authorization with your agency?

No

Does a faculty member residing in your state and teaching an online course trigger the requirement for authorization with your agency?

No

Does advertising targeted to residents of your state trigger the requirement for authorization with your agency?

No

Does having an administrative site in your state trigger the requirement for authorization with your agency?

Yes

Does having a recruiter in your state trigger the requirement for authorization with your agency?

No

Clarifying comments:

No response provided

Topic 5: Application Process

Please provide a short description of the application process to obtain state authorization.

Proprietary schools under (1943 PA 148), MCL 395.101 to 395.103; Administrative Rules; R 390.561 to R 390.569 non-degree granting; submit a completed application along with the appropriate fee.

Degree granting schools under (1931 PA 327) , MCL 450.170 to 450.177 submit a proposal requesting approval to operate a private college or university in Michigan as an educational corporation. No fee required.

Distance Education Authorization under (2015 PA 45), MCL 390.1691 to 390.1697, Higher Education Authorization and Distance Education Reciprocal Exchange Act; submit a completed application along with the appropriate fee.

Web link for application.

https://www.michigan.gov/leo/bureaus-agencies/wd/pss

See School Types for Proprietary Schools- Trade & Career, Educational Corporations-Private College or University, Distance Education Schools-Degree Granting, and Distance Education Schools-Non Degree Granting

Clarifying comments:

For more information regarding the application process, please email us at PSS@Michigan.gov.

Topic 6: Fees Associated with Authorization

Is there an application fee associated with the authorization process?

Distance Education Authorization:

In-State Schools; $4,000.00 application fee total:

-Break down; $2,000.00 application fee

$2,000.00 authorization fee

Renewal fee:  $2,000.00

Out-of-State Schools; $10,000.00 application fee total:

-Breakdown; $5,000.00 application fee

$5,000.00 authorization fee

Renewal fee: $5,000.00

If yes, what is the fee or fee schedule?

Depending on the type of school you are applying for.

Web link for fee information.

https://www.michigan.gov/leo/bureaus-agencies/wd/pss

See School Types for Proprietary Schools- Trade & Career, Educational Corporations-Private College or University, Distance Education Schools-Degree Granting, and Distance Education Schools-Non Degree Granting

Clarifying comments:

For more information regarding the application process, please email us at PSS@Michigan.gov.

Topic 7: Surety Bonds

Does your agency require a Surety Bond for authorized out-of-state institutions?

Yes (depending on the entity type)

Web link for surety bonds.

Proprietary Schools Administrative Rules (michigan.gov)

Clarifying comments:

R 390.562a of the Proprietary Schools Rules discusses surety bond requirements for a proprietary/trade school (non-degree granting) under 1943 PA 148.

No requirement if a private college/university is being established.

Topic 8: Student Tuition Recovery Fund

Does your agency have a Student Tuition Recovery Fund (or similar fund for higher education institution closure)?

No

If yes, for what types of institutions?

No response provided

Web link for student tuition recovery fund.

No response provided

Clarifying comments:

No response provided

Topic 9: Tuition Refund Policy

Does your agency have a Tuition Refund Policy Requirement?

No response provided

If yes, for what types of institutions?

No response provided

Web link for tuition refund policy.

No response provided

Clarifying comments:

No response provided

Topic 10: Reporting

What kinds of information or data must an institution report to your agency as a condition for continued institutional state authorization?

It depends on the entity type.

How frequently do institutions report data?

Annual reporting at renewal.

Is this information shared publicly?

No

Web link for reporting.

No response provided

Clarifying comments:

No response provided

Topic 11: Enforcement

What are possible consequences of institutional non-compliance?

Proprietary/Trade Schools

  • Administrative Fines
  • Revocation of License
  • Imprisonment
  • Misdemeanor

Educational Corporations (Private College or University)

  • Dissolution of the educational corporation

Distance Education Authorizations

  • Administrative Fines
  • Revocation of License
  • Imprisonment
  • Place limit on authorization
  • Suspension
  • Denial of authorization and renewal
  • Order Restitution
  • Sanctions

Web link for enforcement information.

Proprietary/Trade Schools:

Michigan Legislature – Section 395.103

Proprietary Schools Administrative Rules (michigan.gov)

Educational Corporations (Private College or University):

Michigan Legislature-MCL 450.177

Distance Educational Authorizations:

Michigan Legislature – Section 390.1696

Clarifying comments:

No response provided

Topic 12: Student Complaints - Non-SARA Participating Institutions

Please describe the process for handling complaints about non-SARA out-of-state postsecondary institutions or programs? (34 CFR 600.9(a))

URL: https://www.michigan.gov/leo/bureaus-agencies/wd/pss, under Consumer Information

Web link for the non-SARA complaint form.

URL:  https://www.michigan.gov/leo/bureaus-agencies/wd/pss, under Consumer Information

How does your agency handle a non-SARA complaint from a resident of its state that is against an out-of-state institution that the agency does not authorize?

No response provided

Is the non-SARA process handled all within your agency or do you divide consumer protection and student complaint duties dependent on the type of institution (Public, Private, Technical, etc.)?

Yes

Who is the contact person or entity for your state for receiving non-SARA student complaints?

Clarifying comments:

No response provided

Topic 13: Records Retention

When a higher education institution closes, what is the process your state uses to ensure that transcripts/records are kept available?

Records are housed with our third party vendor: DiplomaSender

From what agency or entity do students request their transcripts/records from a closed higher education institution?

Clarifying comments:

No response provided

Topic 14: Additional Information

Is there anything else about the state authorization process in your state that institutions and others ought to know about?

No response provided

What is your preferred method of communication?

Email

 

Please note: There could be additional state agencies with oversight of activities of your institution.