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Louisiana State Approval for Colleges and Career Schools

Establishing a college or university in Louisiana follows the regulatory framework set by the Louisiana Board of Regents. This guide provides a straightforward explanation of the steps necessary to obtain state approval, including submitting required documents and forms.

get state approval Louisiana

Understanding the Regulatory Framework

The Louisiana Board of Regents oversees the approval of postsecondary institutions operating within the state. Approval is necessary to ensure institutions meet quality standards and protect student interests.

Who approves a new college or trade school in Louisiana?

Louisiana state approval for a private college means a license from the Louisiana Board of Regents, and a trade or career school needs a proprietary school license from the same Board of Regents.

A trade school's website can't go live until the Board of Regents votes to license it.

AEC doesn't issue Louisiana approval and can't promise one. The Louisiana Board of Regents decides.

AEC's founder, Dr. Ramin Golbaghi, went through these approvals as a school owner. He founded and led a private postsecondary school, he personally obtained state approval to operate, ACCSC institutional accreditation, Title IV certification, VA education benefits approval, WIOA/I-TRAIN workforce eligibility and SEVP certification.

 
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Opening in more than one state? See state approval requirements in all 50 states.

Steps to Obtain State Approval

  1. Preliminary Steps
  1. Review State Requirements:
    • Familiarize yourself with the regulatory requirements the Louisiana Board of Regents set.
    • Ensure your institution meets the basic eligibility criteria for licensure.
  1. Initial Inquiry:
    • Contact the Louisiana Board of Regents to request additional information about the application for licensure and fees.
  1. Application Process
  1. Application Forms:
    • Obtain the necessary application forms from the Louisiana Board of Regents’ website or by contacting their office.
    • Prepare all required documentation as outlined in the application guidelines.
  1. Required Documentation:
    • Institutional Plan: Include a detailed plan outlining the institution’s mission, goals, governance, and financial projections.
    • Curriculum Details: Provide comprehensive details, including course descriptions, credit hours, and program objectives.
    • Faculty Qualifications: Submit the qualifications and resumes of key faculty members.
    • Facilities Description: Describe the physical facilities, including classrooms, laboratories, and administrative offices.
    • Financial Stability Evidence: Provide evidence of financial stability, such as audited financial statements.
    • Surety Bond: New unaccredited institutions must post a surety bond to cover.
  1. Submission:
    • Submit the completed application form and all required documentation to the Louisiana Board of Regents.
  1. Review Process
  • Administrative Review:
  • The Louisiana Board of Regents will conduct an administrative review to ensure all required documents are complete and meet the specified criteria.
  • Site Visit:
  • A site visit may be scheduled to inspect the institution’s facilities and verify the information provided in the application.
  • Evaluation:
  • The Board of Regents will evaluate the application based on the institution’s ability to meet educational standards, faculty qualifications, curriculum quality, and financial stability.
  • Approval Decision:
  • After the review and evaluation process, the Board of Regents will decide the institution’s licensure.
  • The institution will receive a license to operate and advertise in Louisiana if approved.
  1. Post-Approval Requirements
  • Annual Registration:
  • All postsecondary institutions must register annually with the Board of Regents and provide updated information on their operations.
  • License Renewal:
  • Licenses are reviewed every two years. Institutions must apply for renewal of licensure and pay the associated fees.
  • Program-Specific Approval:
  • Licensed institutions may only operate and advertise the courses, programs, or schools specifically approved in the license.
  • Advertising Standards:
  • All advertising and promotional materials must meet the Louisiana regulation requirements and not include false or misleading statements.
  • Complaint Process:
  • The school’s complaint process must be posted, and the procedure for filing a complaint with the Board of Regents can be found on their website.
  • Closure Procedures:
  • Institutions must notify the Board of Regents before closure and make all student records available for permanent storage.
  • Transcript Requests:
  • If a school closes, students should contact the Board of Regents to determine if their transcripts are available.
  • Accreditation:
  • New institutions must obtain accreditation by a specified date to maintain licensure.

How Accreditation Expert Consulting Can Help

Accreditation Expert Consulting (AEC) offers services to assist institutions in obtaining state approval and ensuring ongoing compliance. Here’s how AEC can help:

  1. Guidance on Regulatory Compliance
  • Regulatory Guidance: AEC provides detailed guidance on Louisiana’s regulatory requirements.
  • Compliance Check: Perform a thorough compliance check to ensure all application documents meet the Board’s criteria.
  1. Application Preparation and Submission
  • Form Completion: Assist in accurately completing the necessary application forms and compiling all required documentation.
  • Document Preparation: Help prepare essential documents, including institutional plans, curriculum details, and faculty qualifications
  1. Review and Feedback
  • Pre-submission Review: Conduct a pre-submission review of your application to identify and rectify potential issues.
  • Feedback and Revisions: Provide actionable feedback and assist with necessary revisions to strengthen your application.
  1. Liaison with the Louisiana Board of Regents
  • Communication: Act as a liaison between your institution and the Louisiana Board of Regents to ensure clear and effective communication.
  • Follow-up: Monitor the progress of your application and follow up as needed.
  1. Strategic Planning and Implementation
  • Strategic Planning: Develop a strategic plan to guide your institution through approval and ensure sustainable growth.
  • Implementation Support: Provide ongoing support to implement the approved programs and maintain compliance with state requirements.
  1. Training and Development
  • Faculty Training: Offer training sessions for faculty and staff on regulatory compliance and best practices in academic program development.
  • Administrative Support: To streamline the proposal submission and approval process, provide administrative support.

Additional Requirements for Religious Institutions

Religious institutions that grant religious degrees exclusively may be exempt from licensure but must still register annually with the Louisiana Board of Regents. Here’s what religious institutions need to do:

  1. Review Exemption Criteria:
    • Ensure the degrees are religious by title and content.
  2. Annual Registration:
    • Religious institutions must register annually through an online application process.
  3. Documentation:
    • Provide necessary documentation as specified by the Board of Regents to verify the religious nature of the institution and its programs.
  4. Contact Information:
    • If there are questions regarding religious exemption and registration, contact the designated representative at the Board of Regents.
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