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Pennsylvania State Approval for Colleges and Career Schools

If you plan to establish a college, university, or seminary in Pennsylvania, it’s crucial to understand and comply with the state’s regulations to obtain authorization. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the steps and requirements for state approval, ensuring you are well informed and prepared for the process.

get state approval Pennsylvania

Governance and Regulatory Authority

The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) plays a crucial role in overseeing the authorization of colleges, universities, and seminaries. Their limited jurisdiction focuses mainly on the authorization process, new program approvals,and ensuring institutions meet state requirements.

Each institution of higher education in Pennsylvania is governed by its own board (or council) of trustees. These trustees are responsible for setting the institution’s mission and strategic direction, ensuring financial stability, and appointing and overseeing the institution’s president. The academic administration and daily operations are managed by the institution’s president and staff.

Authorization Requirements

  1. New Institution Authorization
    • Before operating in Pennsylvania, the Secretary of Education must authorize any institution offering programs for academic credit or a degree.
  1. Minimum Requirements for Degree-Granting Institutions
    • Endowment: A minimum protective endowment is required beyond all indebtedness and assets invested in buildings and apparatus. Tax-supported institutions or those maintained by religious or charitable organizations can substitute equivalent financial support or contributed services.
    • Faculty: At least eight regular professors devoted full-time to higher education instruction unless the institution is specialized (e.g., in arts, archaeology, literature, or science), where the requirement is at least three regular professors and two or more instructors or fellows.
  1. Program Approval
    • Institutions that are not exempt must obtain approval from the Secretary of Education to offer new degree programs.
  1. Use of Restricted Words
    • The words “college,” “university,” and “seminary” are restricted and require approval for use in business names.
    • Contact the Division of Higher Education, Access, and Equity to request approval.
  1. University Status
    • Changing status from a college to a university or establishing a new institution requires approval and a certificate of authority. The application fee for a status change is $1,000.
  1. Articles of Incorporation
    • To amend the Articles of Incorporation, submit a cover letter summarizing the changes, evidence of board approval, current Articles, a redlined copy of the proposed changes, and a clean copy of the revised Articles.

Who approves a new college or trade school in Pennsylvania?

In Pennsylvania, a new degree-granting college needs a certificate of authority from the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE), and a trade or career school needs a license from the State Board of Private Licensed Schools.

AEC doesn't issue Pennsylvania approval and can't promise one. The Pennsylvania Department of Education and its State Board of Private Licensed Schools decide on every Pennsylvania application.

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.

Reporting Requirements

Postsecondary institutions must submit various reports to the PDE, including:

  • English fluency of instructors
  • Gifts
  • Sexual violence awareness training
  • Campus crime
  • Graduation rates
  • Program offerings

Distance Education

  1. Out-of-State Providers
    • Pennsylvania offers a voluntary registration process for out-of-state distance education providers. 
  1. Physical Presence Definition
    • Physical presence includes having a campus, administrative or corporate address, post office box, telephone number, recruiters, instructors, or advertising in Pennsylvania.
  1. Internships
    • Out-of-state institutions do not require PDE approval to place students in internships in Pennsylvania, provided no paid representatives with a physical presence are involved.

Accreditation

The PDE does not accredit institutions. Accreditation is provided by agencies approved by the U.S. Department of Education. Institutions must be accredited and in good standing with their accrediting agency to offer distance education in Pennsylvania.

Student Complaints

The PDE investigates student complaints against higher education institutions. A signed complaint form authorizes the department to share complaint information with the institution.

Establishing a New Institution or Program

  1. Initial Contact
    • Contact the Division of Higher Education, Access, and Equity to discuss your plans and ensure you meet all regulatory requirements.
  1. Application Process
    • Prepare and submit the necessary application forms and supporting documents.
    • Pay the required fees.
    • Allow time for the review and approval process, including potential site visits.
  1. Continuous Compliance
    • Maintain compliance with all state regulations and reporting requirements.
    • Renew authorizations as required, including Education Enterprise authorizations for out-of-state institutions.

For more detailed information and specific forms, contact the Division of Higher Education, Access, and Equity or visit the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s website.

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