Agency Introduction
Organization
The Indiana Board for Proprietary Education (BPE) operates under the authority of Indiana Code 21- 18.5. It is governed by a seven member Board. The Board meets at least quarterly to review staff recommendations, grant accreditation, and hold formal hearings. All Board meetings are open to the public.
Indiana Code 21-18.5 specifies that two Board members shall be the Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction and the Executive officer of the Indiana Commission for Higher Education (CHE), or their designees. The five remaining members are appointed by the Governor to four year terms. Of these appointees, one shall have had at least five years experience in administering an industrial employee training program. A second shall have been an executive in a proprietary education institution for at least five years. The remaining three shall be representatives of the public at large. The public representatives may not be elected or appointed state or local officials, or have any connection with a public, private, or proprietary school. No more than three of the members appointed by the Governor shall be from any one political party.
CHE staff carry out the day-to-day activities of the BPE.
The Board's goal is to maintain the educational quality and effectiveness of credit bearing, degree granting, private career schools. Through BPE's accreditation process, regulated institutions are encouraged to demonstrate their commitment to the highest standards of educational conduct.
The BPE currently regulates over 30 institutions with more than 60 campuses. These schools offer classroom and online programs in a variety of business, technical, career, and professional occupations. Credentials awarded include certificates, diplomas, associate degrees, baccalaureate degrees, and advanced degrees.
Indiana Public and regionally accredited non-profit, private colleges, as well as institutions offering religious oriented instruction are not subject to BPE jurisdiction. No other private career schools may do business in Indiana without the Board's approval.
Current Board Members
New appointments to the Board are pending. A complete list will be published when available.
updated: 07/16/2012
What We Do
Accreditation. Accreditation means certification of a status of approval or authorization by the Board to conduct business. Applications for accreditation are carefully reviewed by the Commission staff to insure that institutions meet the minimum standards outlined by law. Points covered in the review include financial stability, admissions standards, enrollment forms or contracts, program content, instructor qualifications, student record keeping, and refund policies. BPE works closely with national accrediting bodies whenever appropriate.
The Board has four levels of accreditation for institutions under its jurisdiction:
| Applicant: | New institutions that have been approved to do business in Indiana pending an evaluation by the Board. |
| Candidate: | An institution that has been evaluation and found to need substantial change in order to meet the Board's standards. |
| Accredited with Recommendations: | An institution that has been evaluated and found to need only minor changes in order to comply with the Board's standards. |
| Fully Accredited: | An institution that has been evaluated and found to be in compliance with Board standards. |
Compliance enforcement. Accredited institutions are monitored by the Board to enforce standards. Accreditation certificates are renewed annually and degree programs must be submitted for approval. Accreditation may be suspended or revoked for cause, and schools operating without approval may be closed.
Consumer services. Consumer information and protection are important Board responsibilities. CPE lists accredited institutions on its website, and provides other informational materials. The Board cooperates with school guidance counselors, better business bureaus, and others involved in career and consumer information. BPE accreditation staff will inform prospective students of a school's status with the Board and advise them of what to look for when selecting a school. Accredited institutions must state in their catalogs and promotional literature that they are regulated by COPE and include the Commission's address and in-state toll-free number. They must furnish students with copies of an approved refund policy and other regulations. The commission has established a formal complaint procedure for students. Staff members work with student and institutions to resolve problems.
BPE Info
OFFICE HOURS
8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
PHONE
(317) 232-1324
(317) 232-6716
FAX
(317) 233-4219
Hot Topics
Information on Accredited Schools & Programs
Renewal Forms for Regulated Schools
New School Information & Forms
