Proprietary Schools

Proprietary Schools

Proprietary Schools are for-profit businesses which provide vocational education and training.  Under Article 8, Chapter 115D of the North Carolina General Statutes, the State Board of Community Colleges, acting by and through the State Board of Proprietary Schools, licenses proprietary schools in North Carolina.

Our purpose is to assure prospective and enrolled students and citizens of North Carolina that proprietary schools operating in North Carolina meet minimum standards of quality in their operation.  The pages below provide information on licensing regulations and processes, licensed schools, and additional resources related to establishing and maintaining post-secondary educational standards.

Scott Corl
Executive Director of Proprietary Schools
corls@nccommunitycolleges.edu
Phone: 919-807-7061
Rasheeda McCormick
Program Auditor
mcallisterr@nccommunitycolleges.edu
Phone: 919-807-7149
Candice Faller
Proprietary Schools Compliance Examiner
fallerc@nccommunitycolleges.edu
Phone: 919-807-7175

Accreditation

Licensing by a State authority such as the State Board of Community Colleges is NOT accreditation.  The North Carolina State Board of Community Colleges is not an accrediting agency.

Distance Education

Proprietary schools must have a physical location within the State of North Carolina to be licensed under N.C.G.S. § 115D.  North Carolina citizens may enroll in schools located out of state that provide education through distance learning technologies, but they may not be protected by the consumer laws of North Carolina.

Directory of Proprietary Schools

Proprietary schools licensed by the State Board of Community Colleges.

AttachmentSize
Directory301.36 KB

School Closure Information

North Carolina proprietary schools are required to provide students with a minimum 30-day notice of closure.  During that time, school officials should assist students with: (1) completing their programs at the school; (2) identifying equivalent programs at other institutions; (3) transferring to other institutions; and (4) receiving refunds.  Schools are also required to file copies of all student academic records with the State Archives. 

Potential Owners

The initial licensing process may take several months. Proprietary schools are required to pay an Initial License Fee of $5,000, a Student Protection Fund Assessment of $1,250, and obtain a Surety Bond. 

The licensure process begins by mailing a Preliminary Application to: Office of Proprietary Schools, NC Community College System, 5001 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-5001.

AttachmentSize
Preliminary Application122.24 KB
Proprietary School Orientation2.16 MB
Checklist for Initial Licensing71.68 KB
Sample - Application for Enrollment18.96 KB
Sample - Enrollment Agreement15.71 KB
Sample - Program Syllabus28.9 KB
Sample - Student Attendance46.01 KB
Sample - Student Payments14.73 KB
Sample - Student Transcript14.07 KB
Sample - Withdraw Form13.45 KB

Current Owners

Proprietary School Students