Proprietary School Certification

Certain types of postsecondary education providers must be approved to operate by the MDHE. The MDHE's Proprietary School Certification Program is responsible for the oversight activities involved in this approval process. This page contains information and links of interest to individuals and institutions that want to offer postsecondary education in the state, for schools currently approved to operate, and for students and prospective students.

The central focus of the Proprietary School Certification Program is consumer protection. This is accomplished through the establishment of standards for school operation and monitoring of those operations to ensure students are treated in a fair and equitable manner and receive education and training consistent with the published objectives of the instructional programs and the school.

GETTING STARTED AS A SCHOOL IN MISSOURI

Any school or training facility that is not specifically exempted from the law must be certified to operate to offer instruction, grant certificates or degrees, or recruit students in the state of Missouri. In order to comply with this requirement, schools must apply for exemption from or certification to operate under the proprietary school regulations. It is important to note that proprietary as contained in the program title is somewhat of a misnomer as profit-making status is not a primary factor in determining if a school is subject to the certification requirements.

Certification Process Overview
This link takes you to an explanation of certification to operate and a brief overview of the process to become certified to operate.

Initial Certification
This link is for individuals or schools wanting to become certified to operate. It will take you to more detailed information about becoming certified to operate in Missouri, including how to request an application and access to other related resources.

Exemption
Certain types of schools are not subject to the certification program requirements. Exemption, as this status is called, must be granted by the MDHE based on the submission of an application. This link takes you to a more detailed explanation of the exemption process and eligibility criteria.

Missouri Business Portal
In addition to certification to operate, there are other requirements for starting a business in Missouri. This is a link to the state's business portal for information on registration, filings, licenses, and permits required by other agencies.

OPERATING A SCHOOL

Annual Recertification
Certification to operate must be renewed each year. Beginning January 8, 2010, materials related to the 2010-2011 recertification cycle for all existing schools are available here.  Click on the links below to access the information and documents you need.

Overview of Recertification: Summary and explanation of the recertification process including deadlines, instructions, and links to application materials and sources of additional information.

Application/Data Forms Download Page: Links to the two primary application packages; one for schools offering instruction in Missouri, one for schools recruiting students to a non-Missouri campus.

Tips and Suggestions: Helpful information about using the electronic applications and related data forms.

Contact Us: Information and assistance request form focused solely on recertification.

Substantive Changes Reporting
This link is for schools currently certified to operate. It provides access to information about how to report and the necessary forms for reporting a variety of changes at the school.

Monitor School Operations
Proprietary School Certification Program staff conduct regular on-site evaluations of schools. These evaluations include interviews with faculty and staff, observation of classes and school operations, surveys of students and graduates, and reviews of institutional and student records.

Operating Standards
This link will take you to an overview of the standards established by the MDHE for certification to operate. While primarily applicable to applicant and currently operating schools, this information may also be of interest to students and parents.

Technical Assistance
In order to foster overall improvement of education and services, the MDHE provides technical assistance in the form of training sessions, telephone assistance, and personal interviews with schools regarding regulatory compliance or school operations. The first two links below provide direct access to the regulations that define the program and its standards, including exemption, and the statutes that established the program. The final link is an FAQ for schools about the completion and submission of student enrollment and exit records

Proprietary School Certification Regulations

Missouri Statutes for Certification

Guidelines for Student Record Forms

PUBLIC INFORMATION

To assist prospective students and their parents in making informed choices about educational institutions, the Proprietary School Certification Program provides a variety of public information resources about the schools that are certified to operate. In addition to a published directory of schools, the following online resources are available.

Statistical Summary: Proprietary Sector of Missouri Postsecondary Education
The MDHE maintains extensive data about this sector of education. This link will provide access to data tables reporting student and institutional information about the characteristics, scope, and economic impact of this sector.

Recent Program Actions and Reviews
Program actions completed by the MDHE and reviews currently underway are reported at each CBHE meeting. A summary of the most recent report is available as well as previous summaries in each archived board book.

Proprietary School Information
This is a link to consumer information about this sector of education, including a closed school FAQ and information on how to choose a school.

Accreditation
This link will take you to an explanation of what accreditation is and information about a number of recognized accrediting commissions.

Diploma Mills
This link will take you to information about substandard educational entities and tips about how to avoid being deceived by such organizations. It also contains links to listings of accredited institutions in the United States and recognized institutions in Canada.

Institution and Degree Search
If you want to look for information about a Missouri postsecondary education institution or programs offered in Missouri, this link will take you to a search page for that information.