Ohio State Board of Career Colleges and Schools
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1: Important Agency Information to Note
The Ohio State Board of Career Colleges and Schools (f/k/a State Board of Proprietary School Registration) monitors and regulates Ohio’s private post-secondary career colleges and schools to ensure compliance with minimum standards set by Ohio Revised Code Chapter 3332.
Public and non-public degree granting institutions are also subject to approval by the Ohio Department of Higher Education.
2: Types of Educational Providers Authorized
____ 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
__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
____ Public, out-of-state, non-degree granting institutions
__X__ Non-degree, not-for profit institutions
__X__ Non-degree, for-profit institutions
____ Religious institutions
____ Tribally-controlled institutions
_____ Federal Institutions
_____ Municipal institutions
____ Institution _____ Program ___X__ Both
The Board licenses schools and also approves individual degree and non-degree programs at licensed schools.
3: Accreditation
Accreditation is required for institutions seeking to offer degree level programs. No accreditation is required for non-degree programs. Public and non-public degree granting institutions are also subject to approval by the Ohio Department of Higher Education.
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
__X_ 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
See above comments.
4: Exemptions
There are exemptions provided in Ohio Revised Code section 3332.02
Public schools and colleges and degree granting non-profit institutions are exempt. Business-to-business training programs are also exempt.
For more information about exemptions please contact our office.
5: Authorization of Distance Education
Authorization for out-of-state distance education programs is required if an institution has classrooms or other teaching facilities in Ohio or if the school is actively recruiting within the state (e.g. has recruiters or other staff attending college fairs or meeting in-person with students in Ohio.)
See answer above.
Same standards apply to online and correspondence schools.
For more information about out-of-state distance education please contact our office.
6: Physical Presence Policy
See this link for further information: https://scr.ohio.gov/Portals/0/PDFs/0103-distance-ed-policy.pdf
For more information about physical presence please contact our office.
7: Student Complaints - SARA Participating Institutions
Complaints against in-state SARA institutions approved by the State Board of Career Colleges and Schools are handled by the Board’s staff. Complaints against out-of-state SARA institutions are handled by the Ohio Department of Education.
See answer above
Complaints against schools approved by the Ohio State Board of Career Colleges and Schools: https://scr.ohio.gov/ConsumerInformation/FilingaComplaint.aspx
Contact Name: Laura Essman
Title: Program Administrator
Agency: Ohio State Board of Career Colleges and Schools
Address: 30 East Broad St., Suite 2481 Columbus, OH 43215
Email: laura.essman@scr.state.oh.us
Phone: 614-466-7833
URL:
No response provided
8: Student Complaints - Non-SARA Participating Institutions
If the school is approved by the Ohio State Board of Career Colleges and Schools the complaint would be handled through the normal complaint process: https://scr.ohio.gov/ConsumerInformation/FilingaComplaint.aspx
If the school is not-approved and out-of-state the complaint would be referred to the appropriate agency in the school’s home state.
See answer above.
See answer above.
Same as above.
Contact Name: Laura Essman
Title: Program Administrator
Agency: Ohio State Board of Career Colleges and Schools
Address: 30 East Broad St., Suite 2481 Columbus, OH 43215
Email: laura.essman@scr.state.oh.us
Phone: 614-466-7833
URL:
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9: Surety Bonds
Yes if they require Ohio approval.
N/A
10: Tuition Refund Policy
Yes for schools approved by the Ohio State Board of Career Colleges and Schools.
All schools approved by the Ohio State Board of Career Colleges and Schools must have a refund policy that meets the standards required or is otherwise more favorable to the student.
N/A
11: Student Tuition Recovery Fund
Yes.
Schools approved by the Ohio State Board of Career Colleges and Schools.
N/A
12: Reporting
All schools must file an annual report (July 1-June 30) that is generally due in October. Information about student enrollments and outcomes is collected.
Yearly
Yes, it is a public record.
N/A
N/A
13: Enforcement
The Ohio State Board of Career Colleges and Schools can impose monetary fines and suspend/revoke certificates of registration or program authorization. For some fraudulent activity criminal penalties may be imposed.
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14: Application Process
All schools seeking approval must submit an application for institutional and program approval. The application is submitted online and after it has been reviewed is approved during public Board meeting.
N/A
15: Fees Associated with Authorization
Yes.
See fee schedule for more information.
N/A
16: Records Retention
Schools are generally required to make arrangements for records access post closure. If a school is unable to provide access to records, the State Board of Career Colleges and Schools will work to find a solution.
Contact Name: Laura Essman
Title: Program Administrator
Agency: Ohio State Board of Career Colleges and Schools
Address: 30 East Broad St., Suite 2481 Clumbus, OH 43215
Email: laura.essman@scr.state.oh.us
Phone: 614-466-7833
Web site: https://scr.ohio.gov/ConsumerInformation/StudentTranscripts.aspx
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17: Additional Information
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