What are the conditions for school authorization in CT?
Connecticut’s Office of Higher Education can approve private postsecondary schools that meet certain conditions. Under Section 10a-22b(c) of the CT General Statutes (PDF), these conditions focus on the following:
Quality and content
Each course, program, training, or study meets its approved goals.
Catalog
A catalog exists and students can find it. The catalog must explain:
- Course and program goals
- Length of courses and programs
- All charges that one has to pay to complete the course or program: tuition, fees, and any other charges
- School policies about attendance, grading, graduation, and job placement
- Cancellation and refund policies
School premises
The school has to have enough space, equipment, study materials, and staff.
Qualified personnel
This ensures that the people teaching and running a program have the skills to do so.
Credentials
Once students finish their courses, they get their certificate or diploma.
School records
The school has to keep records of attendance, grades, and progress. It has to also enforce policies in these areas.
School financials
A review of audited finances, filed annually, shows that the school is financially sound.
Student housing
School-owned, leased, or rented student housing is safe and adequate.
Private occupational school student protection account
Under the law, schools pay fees and other payments to the Private occupational school student protection account.
Schools have to notify CT’s OHE 60 days before any changes to already approved:
- Courses and programs
- Ownership of the school
- Name of the school
- Location of the school and any school-related facilities
- Tuition rates and fees