Tennessee Higher Education Commission
Richard G. Rhoda, Executive Director

The Postsecondary Authorization Act of 1974, T.C.A. §49-7-2001 et seq., T.C.A. §49-7-144, and the Postsecondary Rules Chapter 1540-01-02 govern the regulation of postsecondary educational institutions administered through the Division of Postsecondary School Authorization.  Regulation can be grouped into two areas - School and Agent Authorization and Consumer Services.

School and Agent Authorization

The Division of Postsecondary School Authorization oversees and monitors private proprietary, for-profit, and not-for-profit schools offering training or education leading to a vocation, college credit or issuance of an educational credential. Authorization may be granted to both degree and non-degree granting institutions and encompasses a wide variety of schools such as: academic, trade, technical, career, professional, and out-of-state institutions with presence, advertisement, and/or recruitment practices in Tennessee. Related areas include:

• Assisting individuals or businesses seeking authorization to operate a postsecondary educational institution or make a determination of exemption from the provisions of the Postsecondary Education Authorization Act of 1974.
• Supplying information and assistance to prospective schools interested in submitting an Initial Authorization Application to operate as a postsecondary school in the state. An Initial Authorization Application may be obtained by calling DPSA at (615) 741-5293.
• Authorized institutions interested in offering new programs must submit a new program application prior to offering the proposed program(s).
• Establishing and requiring compliance with minimum standards for school administration, operation and educational quality as well as authorizing the use of degrees, diplomas, certificates or any other educational credentials.
• Reviewing applications for agent’s permit.
  

Consumer Services

The Division of Postsecondary School Authorization provides a variety of services to assist students and consumers. Helpful services include:

• Maintaining a list of currently authorized institutions.
• Assisting consumers with questions about selecting an institution, including distance education programs.
• Providing student academic transcripts from defunct schools (when available).
• Reviewing student complaints that are not resolved at the institutional level.
• Protecting students and consumers from substandard, transient, deceptive or fraudulent institutions and practices.
• Office of Small Business Advocate

 

Institutional Authorization

• Authorization
• Exemption
• Initial Authorization or New Program Application
• Committee Meeting Dates
• Minimum Standards
• Distance Education

Authorized Institution Information

• T.C.A. §49-7-2001 et seq
• T.C.A. §49-7-144
• Postsecondary Rules Chapter 1540-01-02

 

DPSA CODES

• Institution Codes
• Program Codes

DPSA Applications/Forms (New Applications and Forms Effective November 2011. Please discard previous versions.)

• Initial Authorization Application - Please e-mail Teresa.Warren@tn.gov for this application.
• Change of Ownership Application - Please e-mail Teresa.Warren@tn.gov for this application.
• Reauthorization Application - Please e-mail Teresa.Warren@tn.gov for this application.
• Agent Permit Application
• Change of Address Application
• Change of Name Application
• New Program Application
• Program Deletion Form
• Program Revision Form
• School Personnel Application
• Surety Bond for Agents of Out-Of-State Postsecondary Institutions Form
• Surety Bond for Postsecondary Educational Institutions Form

Consumer Services

• Authorized Institutions
• Proprietary Schools Complaint Form
• Selecting an Institution
• Academic Transcripts
• School Authorization
• Frequently Asked Postsecondary Questions