Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO)/Employment & Training
Agency Contact
Additional Contact
1: Important Agency Information to Note
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
- 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
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2: Authorization of Distance Education
- 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
No
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3: Accreditation by an Accrediting Agency Recognized by the U.S. Department of Education
Yes (depending on the type of entity being established).
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
_____ 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
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.
4: Physical Presence Policy
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Does a virtual clinical / internship trigger the requirement for authorization with your agency?
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5: Application Process
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.
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
For more information regarding the application process, please email us at PSS@Michigan.gov.
6: Fees Associated with Authorization
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
Depending on the type of school you are applying for.
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
For more information regarding the application process, please email us at PSS@Michigan.gov.
7: Surety Bonds
Yes (depending on the entity type)
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.
8: Student Tuition Recovery Fund
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9: Tuition Refund Policy
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10: Reporting
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11: Enforcement
Proprietary/Trade Schools
- Administrative Fines
- Revocation of License
- Imprisonment
Educational Corporations (Private College or University)
- Dissolution of the educational corporation
Distance Education Authorizations
- Administrative Fines
- Revocation of License
- Imprisonment
Proprietary/Trade Schools:
Michigan Legislature - Section 395.103
Proprietary Schools Administrative Rules (michigan.gov)
Educational Corporations (Private College or University):
Michigan Legislature - Section 390.1696
Distance Educational Authorizations:
No response provided
12: Student Complaints - Non-SARA Participating Institutions
URL: https://www.michigan.gov/leo/bureaus-agencies/wd/pss, under Consumer Information
URL: https://www.michigan.gov/leo/bureaus-agencies/wd/pss, under Consumer Information
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Yes
- Contact Name: James R. Farhat
- Title: Departmental Specialist
- Agency: Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity- Employment & Training
- Address: P.O. Box 30805, Lansing, MI 48909
- Email: farhatj@michigan.gov
- Phone: 517.256.8670
- URL: https://www.michigan.gov/leo/bureaus-agencies/wd/pss, under Consumer Information
- Contact Name: Alex Henderson
- Title: Departmental Analyst
- Agency: Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity- Employment & Training
- Address: P.O. Box 30805, Lansing, MI 48909
- Email: hendersona18@michigan.gov
- Phone: 517.331.7565
- URL: https://www.michigan.gov/leo/bureaus-agencies/wd/pss, under Consumer Information
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13: Records Retention
Records are housed with our third party vendor: DiplomaSender
- Agency Name: DiplomaSender on behalf of the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity/Employment & Training
- Contact Phone: 1-855-313-5799 or https://diplomasender.com/#/
- Contact web site: www.michigan.gov/pss
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14: Additional Information
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Please note: There could be additional state agencies with oversight of activities of your institution.