Post-Secondary Schools
Programs (PSS)
The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, Workforce Development (LEO-WD) has statutory
powers, duties, functions and responsibilities regarding the establishment and approval of non-public institutions
incorporating private colleges and universities under the Michigan General Corporation Act (1931 PA 327).
Proprietary schools are required to be licensed and their programs approved by LEO-WD.
What are Educational Corporations?
Educational Corporations are dened as any number of persons, not
less than 3, who may incorporate for the purpose of conducting a school,
academy, seminary, college, or other institutions of higher learning where
preparatory subjects or the arts, sciences, professions, special occupations,
and higher learning may be taught.
A proposed educational corporation must submit a written proposal to LEO-
WD requesting approval to operate a private college or university in or from
Michigan oering the proposed educational programs. The proposal must
demonstrate it meets the ve areas of adequacy required under the act.
Post-Secondary Schools - Proprietary Schools
The Proprietary Schools Act, PA 148 of 1943, denes a proprietary school as
“a school that uses a certain plan or method to teach a trade, occupation, or
vocation for consideration, reward, or promise of any kind.” Proprietary school
includes, but is not limited to a private business, trade, or home study school.
Proprietary school does not include any of the following:
• A school or college possessing authority to grant degrees.
• A school licensed by law through another board or department of this
state.
• A school maintained or a program conducted, without prot, by a person
for that person’s employees.
• A school or program within a school that exclusively provides yoga
instruction, yoga teacher training, or both.
Michigan proprietary schools oer classes in traditional brick and mortar
facilities, as well as through distance education or hybrid programs. They
prepare students for a wide variety of occupations, such as nurse aide,
phlebotomist, medical assistant, emergency medical technician or paramedic,
dental assistant, massage therapist, realtor, bartender, boat builder,
construction, heavy equipment operator, tax preparer, numerous information
technology positions and many other occupations.
There are more than 375 Proprietary Schools in Michigan, with new schools
applying each year. Some Proprietary Schools have been established since
the 1930’s and have been renewing their licenses since the Proprietary
Schools Act was passed in 1943.
Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, Workforce Development
P.O. Box 30805, Lansing, MI 48909
Phone: 517-335-5858 | Fax: 517-241-9810 | Website: Michigan.gov/Workforce
Where can you learn more
about PSS?
To learn more about Post-
Secondary Schools Programs,
please visit Michigan.gov/PSS.
Distance Education
Authorizations
The Higher Education Authorization
and Distance Education Reciprocal
Exchange Act (2015 PA 45)
authorizes LEO-WD to enter
reciprocal distance learning
compacts; ensure that distance
learning providers meet standards
of practice; set annual fees; protect
student records; and establish a
student complaint system.
In-state schools that choose to
participate as part of a national
reciprocity agreement are authorized
to provide distance education in other
member states.
Out-of-state schools located in
states that are not a member of a
national reciprocity agreement may
seek authorization under this act
to provide distance education to
Michigan residents.
To be eligible to apply and
participate, a school must be degree
granting and accredited.
