More about trade and career schools and colleges.

What are trade and career schools and colleges

Trade and career schools and colleges are generally for-profit institutions that offer occupational training for post high-school students. These schools offer short-term programs, grant certificates or diplomas, and focus on entry-level job-skills training.

Often known as proprietary schools, trade and career schools and colleges are owned by individuals or closely held corporations.

About licensing

In almost all states the school or training center must be licensed.

The board that licenses the schools is generally part of the state department of education. These boards go by many names such as: Private Post-secondary Education Board, State Board of Private Career Education, and Board of Nonpublic Career Schools.

The licensing process varies from state to state. Some states require that a simple form be filled out. However, most require that a comprehensive new school application  be completed. The school owner may have to appear before the board. Of course there are fees to seek licensure. These vary but can be as high as $3000. Renewal reports and fees must be completed each year.

If a school is not licensed, it may be sent a cease and desist order from the state attorney’s office.

How Susan F. Schulz & Associates, Inc. can assist with licensing or accreditation

SFSA are specialists in the career school business. We can assist school and college owners in any phase of the license or accreditation process.

Often an individual or corporation wants to establish a school.

• We have all the forms and systems to set up a school quickly and position it for growth. This includes policies, procedures, manuals, and job descriptions —all developed to comply with standards set  by most state licensing  boards.
     
• We start by providing you with licensing information for your state.
     
• Then we establish target dates and a list of tasks to be completed.

We can also assist with renewal forms and trouble shooting.

About accreditation

Some school owners wish to seek accreditation through a U.S. Department of Education authorized accreditation agency. There are generally two reasons for this decision.

• The school may wish to seek approval for Title IV funding.
     
• The school owner may also want to be accredited for recognition, creditability, and to be competitive.

In order to begin the accreditation process, the school must be licensed and in operation for about two years and meet qualifications set forth by the accreditation agency.

How Susan F. Schulz & Associates, Inc. can assist with accreditation

SFSA are specialists in the career school business and can assist school and college  owners in any phase of the accreditation process.

We start by identifying the accreditation agency that is most appropriate for your school.

• An assessment is made to determine how closely the school meets standards and requirements.
     
• A plan is then put in place to develop missing documents, policies, and procedures.
     
• An accreditation team is established with key players from the school and specialists from SFSA.

The process results in completion of the required self-study report and a school with a strong foundation positioned for future growth.

How to get started

Complete the online Licensing/Accreditation Self Check.

SFSA will review your responses and send a detailed analysis of how closely your school meets standards and requirements of most licensing/accreditation agencies.