Agency Introduction
Organization | Who We Are | What We Do
Organization
The Indiana Commission on Proprietary Education is an independent agency operating under the authority of Indiana Code 20-12-76. It is governed by a seven member Board of Commissioners. The Commission meets at least quarterly to review staff recommendations, grant accreditation, and hold formal hearings. All Commission meetings are open to the public.
Indiana Code 20-12-76-12 specifies that two Commission members shall be the Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction and the Executive officer of the Indiana Commission for Higher Education, 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.
The commission employs a Commissioner, who along with the staff, carries out the day-to-day activities of the agency.
Who We Are
The Indiana Commission on Proprietary education (COPE) is the state agency charged with regulating privately owned, postsecondary vocational schools in Indiana. It was created in 1971 by the Indiana General Assembly to insure compliance with statutory requirements within this "essential part of the educational system." The Commission's goal is to maintain the educational quality and vocational effectiveness of private career schools. Through COPE's accreditation process, regulated institutions are encouraged to demonstrate their commitment to the highest standards of educational conduct.
The Commission currently regulated over 100 proprietary institutions enrolling approximately 20,000 students. These schools offer classroom and home study programs in a variety of business, technical, trade, and professional occupations. Credentials awarded include certificates, diplomas, associate degrees, baccalaureate degrees, and advanced degrees.
Institutions not subject to COPE jurisdiction are: postsecondary institutions financed from public funds; most private, non-profit colleges; schools regulated by other state agencies (e.g. cosmetology and barber colleges, real estate institutes; institutions offering religious oriented instruction; industrial training programs operated by businesses or labor unions; and schools offering motivational or self-improvement courses. No other private career schools may do business in Indiana without the Commission's approval.
Current Commission Members
| Ms. Sue Uhl, Indianapolis | Chair |
Appointed: 09/04/2007 |
| Ms. Paula Pinkstaff, Princeton | Vice Chair |
Appointed 3/1/2004 Term Exp: 9/1/2005 (Industry Employment and Training) |
| Ms. Patricia Shutt, Indianapolis | Secretary | Serves for Superintendent of Public Instruction |
| Mr. Kenneth Konesco, Indianapolis | Member |
Appointed: 9/1/1996 |
| Dr. Kenneth Sauer, Indianapolis | Member | Serves for Commissioner for Higher Education |
| Mr. Brad Shaffer, Walden | Member |
Appointed: 09/04/2007 |
| Mr. David Wu, Indianapolis | Member | Appointed: 09/04/2007 Term Exp: 8/31/2011 (At-Large Appointment) |
updated: 09/19/2007
What We Do
Accreditation. Accreditation means certification of a status of approval or authorization by the Commission 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. Institutions must be bonded and their recruiting agents licensed. Applicant status concludes with an on-site evaluation of the school's programs and physical facilities by qualified evaluators. COPE works closely with national accrediting bodies whenever appropriate.
The commission 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 commission. |
| Candidate: | An institution that has been evaluation and found to need substantial change in order to meet the Commission's standards. |
| Accredited with Recommendations: | An institution that has been evaluated and found to need only minor changes in order to to comply with the Commission's standards. |
| Fully Accredited: | An institution that has been evaluated and found to be in compliance with Commission standards. |
Compliance enforcement. Accredited institutions are monitored by the Commission to enforce standards. Accreditation certificates, financial reports, surety bonds, and agent licenses are renewed annually. Degree programs must be submitted for approval. Field staff visit each institution at least once a year and conduct on-site evaluations every fifth year. Accreditation may be suspended or revoked for cause: Schools operating without approval may be closed.
Consumer services. Consumer information and protection are important Commission responsibilities. COPE publishes a directory of accredited institutions, a brochure to assist prospective students in evaluating career school opportunities, and other informational materials. The Commission cooperates with school guidance counselors, better business bureaus, and others involved in career and consumer information. An in-state toll-free telephone line has been installed to handle questions and complaints. Cope accreditation specialists will inform prospective students of a school's status with the Commission and advise them of what to look for when selecting a school. The Commission receives over 5,000 telephone inquiries annually.
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.
Veterans' education. COPE has been designated as a state approving agency (SAA) for veterans' training in Indiana's private, postsecondary educational system. Over eighty institutions, representing nearly all the private colleges, universities, and trade and technical schools in Indiana are currently approved by the SAA as training or educational sites appropriate for use by veterans to draw educational benefits under the "GI BILL." Besides course approval, the Commission's director of veterans education visits schools annually to monitor the certification process.
Publication. Directory of Accredited Institutions
CPE Info
OFFICE HOURS
8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
PHONE
(317) 232-1320
IN-STATE TOLL FREE
(800) 227-5695
FAX
(317) 233-4219
Hot Topics
Information on Accredited Schools & Programs
Renewal Forms for Regulated Schools
New School Information & Forms
