NPEC QA

The Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission (NPEC) was created in 1990. The primary purpose for NPEC is to ensure that each authorized college or school is educationally sound and financially stable. Specifically, NPEC works to 1) assure prospective and enrolled students that the program of study and supporting elements of, the institutions meet minimum standards, 2) assure prospective employers that graduates have acquired appropriate job skills, 3) assure the general public, federal agencies, and other state agencies that programs meet minimum standards.

The Commission administers the Nonpublic Postsecondary Educational Institutions Act of 1990 by providing standards, procedures, and evaluation for the oversight of postsecondary institutions. The staff reviews and authorizes each college or school annually, provides consumer information and protection, resolves student complaints, manages institution closures and resulting student records, prepares required publications and grants exemptions as applicable. The staff also develops new and/or revised standards, procedures, regulations and schedules in response to changing laws, needs and circumstances.

Degree Granting:
The Nonpublic Postsecondary Educational Institutions Act of 1990 provides that a postsecondary educational institution must apply for and be granted a Certificate of Authorization before beginning operation or advertising in Georgia. NPEC must authorize each degree program. Following initial authorization, the institution's Certificate must be renewed annually. Any institution operating or advertising to begin operation without acquiring the necessary Certificate of Authorization is in violation of Georgia law, and shall be subject to civil penalties.
Non-degree Granting:
Any instructional program defined as a proprietary school according to the Nonpublic Postsecondary Educational Institutions Act of 1990 must apply for and be granted a Certificate of Authorization before beginning operation or advertising in Georgia. Following initial authorization, the institution's Certificate must be renewed annually. Any institution operating or advertising to begin operation without acquiring the necessary Certificate of Authorization is in violation of Georgia law, and shall be subject to civil penalties.

Certain postsecondary institutions are exempt from NPEC regulation. There are specific exemptions identified regarding traditional private colleges and universities, public colleges and universities, and public technical institutes. Examining Boards under the Georgia Secretary of State regulate other occupational schools and educational institutions, such as cosmetology, nursing, barbering, real estate, and others. Truck driving schools within the state, either for profit or non-profit, are regulated by the State Department of Public Safety.

The procedures used to authorize a nonpublic postsecondary institution may be found on the NPEC website at www.gnpec.org.

NPEC is not an accrediting agency but does authorize postsecondary institutions to operate under Georgia law. However, most accrediting agencies verify compliance with state law, including authorization when required, prior to granting initial accreditation. Postsecondary institutions choose to begin the accreditation process on a voluntary basis. In order to become accredited institutions and programs must demonstrate they meet certain standards established by the accrediting agency. Each accrediting agency develops its own standards. There are two types of accrediting agencies: institutional accrediting agencies that establish standards for the entire school and specialized accrediting agencies that establish standards for programs in specific fields of study such as nursing or engineering. The federal government does review and recognize accrediting associations.

The Commission is composed of 14 members appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate. One member is appointed from each of the thirteen congressional districts and one member is appointed at-large. The term of office is three years. Two members of the commission are appointed to represent degree-granting nonpublic postsecondary educational institutions and two members are appointed to represent nonpublic postsecondary educational institutions which grant certificates only. The remaining members are not to be employed by or otherwise represent or have an interest in any nonpublic postsecondary educational institution. The Commission meets on a quarterly basis. Additional meetings may be called by the chair. Meetings of the Commission are open to the public.

NPEC regards the prompt resolution of complaints by students as being a high priority of the agency. Standards Administrators consult with the individual submitting the complaint, appropriate school officials, and others upon receipt of complaints and visit institutions to resolve such complaints.

Since July 1992 authorized institutions are required to make annual payments to the Tuition Guaranty Trust Fund (TGTF). The TGTF is designed to provide reimbursement to students at institutions which close and fail to honor commitments to complete the students' programs of study. Basically, the TGTF serves as an insurance fund for student protection.

NPEC places great emphasis on requiring authorized postsecondary institutions to maintain student academic records, so that in the event of a closure, the transfer of records to the state can be accomplished with minimum difficulty. In the NPEC office, a staff member is assigned the responsibility of obtaining individual transcripts on request by students for closed institutions.