Alabama Commission on Higher Education and Alabama Community College System, Private School Licensure Division
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1: Important Agency Information to Note
Under provisions of Ala. Code §16-5-10 (14) (1975), the Alabama Commission on Higher Education has jurisdiction over non-resident institutions defined as postsecondary institutions or corporations offering educational programs in Alabama with main campuses or headquarters located outside the state.
Alabama is the only state within the United States where jurisdiction over private school licensure and programmatic review for degree granting institutions is divided between two (2) state agencies, the Alabama Community College System and the Commission.
To facilitate these dual agency assignments of responsibility, a Memorandum of Agreement between the Alabama Community College System and the Commission provided for the integration of programmatic review of non-resident institutions with the licensure process.
In addition, both the Commission and the Alabama Community College System serve as clearinghouses for information about private/proprietary institutions that offer their programs to Alabama residents.
The Commission is also the NC-SARA State Portal Entity for Alabama.
2: Types of Educational Providers Authorized
____ Public, in-state degree granting institutions
____ 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
_X__ Non-degree, not-for profit institutions
_X__ Non-degree, for-profit institutions
_X__ Religious institutions
_____ Tribally-controlled institutions
_____ Federal Institutions
_____ Municipal institutions
* The Commission accepts NRI applications from out-of-state public degree and non-degree institutions to determine exemption from programmatic review.
____ Institution _____ Program __X__ Both
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3: Accreditation
The Private School Licensure Division of the Alabama Community College System does require accreditation of most institutions:
“All privately licensed degree granting, post-secondary educational institutions must be accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education (USDE), the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), be a candidate for accreditation or in process of application for accreditation as determined and monitored by the Alabama Community College System. This requirement became effective beginning October 1, 2008, for any degree granting institutions applying for initial or renewal licensure.” (GUIDELINES FOR POLICY (accs.edu))
Accreditation agency must be recognized by the US Department of Education or CHEA
Accreditation Required for:
_____ 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
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4: Exemptions
Yes.
Please see link below for exemptions from licensure
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5: Authorization of Distance Education
Yes
No response provided
Yes
Licensure is required for any institution that is locally advertising or recruiting in the state.
6: Physical Presence Policy
Alabama does not use a physical presence standard.
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7: Student Complaints - SARA Participating Institutions
An individual student's complaint may be reported to the individual institution or the SARA SPE. All complaints made to the SPE will first be referred to the individual institution for consideration. Each institution as a condition of membership in SARA must have consumer protection policies and procedures that are compliant with SARA standards. If a complaint is not resolved to a student's satisfaction at the institutional level, the student may file a complaint with the state SARA SPE. The complaint must be in writing and shall set forth the grounds for the complaint, explain any steps taken to exhaust the institutional grievance process, include any relevant documents, and contain other information that may be required by the SARA SPE. The SARA SPE will evaluate the complaint and determine whether it meets the criteria for consideration. If the complaint does qualify, the SARA SPE will appropriately determine the facts of the case and decide on a final resolution of the complaint in accordance with applicable policies.
The entire process is handled by the Commission.
Contact Name: Ron Leonard
Title: Director of Special Initiatives
Agency: Alabama Commission on Higher Education
Address: P. O. Box 302000, Montgomery, AL 36130-2000
Email: ron.leonard@ache.edu
Phone:(334) 242.2211
URL: ache.edu
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8: Student Complaints - Non-SARA Participating Institutions
No
No response provided
Contact Name: Tivoli Nash
Title: Director for Private School Licensure
Agency: Alabama Community College System
Address: P.O. Box 302130, Montgomery, AL 36130-2130
Email: tivoli.nash@accs.edu
Phone: 334-293-4650
URL: Private School Licensure - Alabama Community College System (accs.edu)
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9: Surety Bonds
Yes
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10: Tuition Refund Policy
No
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11: Student Tuition Recovery Fund
N/A
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12: Reporting
N/A
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13: Enforcement
Non-compliance may result in the institution’s license/authorization being suspended or revoked.
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14: Application Process
No response provided
15: Fees Associated with Authorization
Yes
No response provided
16: Records Retention
Schools are required to provide transcripts to the Division, a third party company or an agreement with another institution within 30 days of closure.
- Agency Name: Alabama Community College System, Private School Licensure Division
- Contact Person: Temetra Berry
- Contact Phone: 334-293-4650
- Contact Address: P.O. Box 302130, Montgomery, AL 36130-2130
- Contact Email: Temetra.berry@accs.edu
- Contact web site: https://www.accs.edu/about-accs/private-school-licensure/closed-school-transcript/
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17: Additional Information
No response provided