Consumer Alerts and Reporting an Unauthorized School

Consumer Alerts

The following institutions in Alaska are completing the teach-out requirements of existing students and shall not enroll any new students:

• Styles Starts Here Hair Academy
• Wayland Baptist University

The following institutions have been flagged by Commission staff to have solicited in Alaska without the Commission’s Authorization and present a consumer risk:

• Graham International University

Reporting an Unauthorized School
To report a school or educational provider that may be illegally operating in the state of Alaska without the required Authorization or Exemption from Authorization, please email eed.acpe-ia@alaska.gov with the following information:

• Name of institution
• Institutional address
• Institution URL/website
• Institution Email Address
• Institution Phone Number
• Owner or Operator of the Institution
• Provide additional comments
• Attach relevant documentation(e.g. screenshots)

Consumer Protection and Educational Resources

Diploma Mills
A diploma mill (or degree mill) is a person, business, organization, or institution that offers academic degrees or diplomas with little or no academic study and without being properly accredited. These degrees are often sold for a flat fee and are not recognized by legitimate educational institutions or employers.

Key characteristics of a diploma mill include:

• Lack of accreditation from a recognized accrediting agency.
• No real coursework or assessment—degrees may be awarded based on "life experience" or minimal effort.
• Fast turnaround—some promise degrees in a few days or weeks.
• Unrealistic credentials—such as doctorates issued without proper study.
• Misleading language to appear legitimate, sometimes mimicking real universities.

Verifying a Reputable College, University, or Educational Provider
To ensure a college, university, or educational provider is reputable and recognized, follow the following steps:

• Check State Authorization and Licensing
  • Make sure the school is authorized to operate in its state. For schools in Alaska, see ACPE’s list.
  • In the U.S., most states have a Department of Education, Higher Education Board, or equivalent agency to ACPE, where you can check a school’s status.
• Check Accreditation- If the institution is a college or university, ensure the institution is accredited by a recognized accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
  • Examples from Alaska’s institutions include:
    • Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools
    • Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges
    • Association for Biblical Higher Education
    • Council on Occupational Education
    • Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
    • Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
  • For a complete list, please search the U.S. Department of Education Database.

Verify Transferability of Credits

• Ask if the credits or coursework will transfer to other institutions. Be cautious as the receiving institution has the discretion to accept previous credits and coursework.

• Look for Red Flags- Avoid schools that:

• Promise degrees in weeks or months.
• Charge a flat fee without requiring coursework.
• Offers degrees based on life experience alone.
• Uses names of similar to well-known institutions.

• Research Online Reviews and Outcomes

• Look at student reviews on sites like:
  • College Scorecard
  • Niche.com
• Check graduation and employment rates.
• See if employers or graduate programs accept degrees from the institution.

Complaints:
The Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education (ACPE) processes complaints alleging violations of state institutional authorization law relative to postsecondary institutions or programs in Alaska, including SARA complaints. The complaint investigation process is described in AS 14.48.130 and 20 AAC 17.130-145. A student is encouraged to pursue the complaint/grievance process at their institution prior to contacting ACPE. This process is outlined in the institution’s catalog. Frequently asked questions can be found here. To request a complaint form please send an email to: EED.ACPE-IA@alaska.gov.

• U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights
• Institution’s accrediting body
• Institution’s licensing agency
• Alaska Department of Law, Consumer Protection Unit
• Alaska State Commission for Human Rights

Statutes for the Regulation of Postsecondary Educational Institutions

The statutes or laws for the Regulation of Postsecondary Education Institutions is under Title 14, Chapter 48.

Regulations for the Regulation of Postsecondary Educational Institutions

The regulations that interpret the laws for the Regulation of Postsecondary Education is under Title 20, Chapter 17 of the Alaska Administrative Code.

For Example, the statute states that a catalog may be required. The regulation details the specific requirements that must be found in a catalog.

Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Statutes and Regulations

What is a Postsecondary Educational Institution?

A Postsecondary Education Institution means academic, vocational, technical, home study, business, professional, or other school, college, or university offering education primarily to persons who have completed or terminated their secondary education, or who are beyond the age of compulsory high school attendance, for attainment of educational, professional, or vocational objectives.

What is the definition of operating a Postsecondary Educational Institution?

“To operate a postsecondary institution” means to establish or maintain a facility or location where education is provided or postsecondary educational credentials are granted to persons in the state and includes contracting with any person, group, or entity to operate such an educational institution.

What is an Educational Credential?

An Educational Credential means degrees, diplomas, certificates, transcripts, reports, documents, or letters of designation, marks, appellations, series of letters, numbers, or words which signify, purport, or are generally taken to signify enrollment, attendance, progress, or satisfactory completion of the requirements or prerequisites for education at a postsecondary educational institution.

What requirements do all individuals and institutions have to follow?

All individuals and institutions must apply for Authorization or Exemption from Institutional Authorization with the Commission, and follow all applicable statutes (laws) and the regulations that define them, including the following statutes:

• AS 14.48.020 (Authorization and Permits Required)
• AS 14.48.060 (Minimum Standards)
• AS 14.48.130 (Complaints)
• AS 14.48.150 (Preservation of Records)
• AS 14.48.165 (Immunization of Postsecondary Students)
• AS 14.48.170 (Jurisdiction)
• AS 14.48.180 (Enforcement; Injunction)
• AS 14.48.190 (Civil Penalty)
• AS 14.48.200 (Criminal Violation)
• AS 14.48.210 (Definitions)

What does an Exemption from Institutional Authorization exempt individuals and institutions from?

• Commission action on applications. Commission staff approve applications for Exemptions from Institutional Authorization. Initial and Renewal of Authorization applications are approved by the Commission at their quarterly meetings.
• Site Visits. Commission staff conduct site visits of Authorized institutions during the Initial and Renewal of Authorization application periods. It should be noted that Commission staff have the authority to conduct Site Visits on institutions that receive an Exemption from Institutional Authorization.
• Annual Reporting requirements. Authorized institutions must submit information to the Commission annually, whereas institutions that receive an Exemption do not. This includes, but is not limited to, life and safety requirements, financial statements, and student outcomes.
• Surety Bonding. Authorization institutions must obtain a surety bond, where Exempt institutions do not.

What happens if ACPE contacts an individual or institution and does not submit an application for Authorization or Exemption from Authorization by the required deadline?

They would violate Alaska law. ACPE is requesting voluntary compliance when an Institution is contacted. However, failure to comply may result in civil penalties and criminal violations, as outlined in AS 14.48.190 and AS 14.48.200.

Do I or my Postsecondary Educational Institution need to stop providing training or instruction, discontinue enrollment, or take down my website?

Commission staff are working with individuals and Institutions to obtain voluntary compliance and are not requiring immediate instruction stoppage, discontinuing enrollments, or websites to be taken down. However, if an Institution has been provided a deadline to submit a good faith application, and the deadline passes, further correspondence will be required, including but not limited to the civil penalties and criminal violations above.

What if I or my Postsecondary Educational Institution reports to another State of Alaska agency?

Individuals and institutions must still apply and receive a valid Authorization or Exemption from Institutional Authorization from ACPE to operate in the State of Alaska. Each agency has its statutory authority, and ACPEs and others complement each other.

What forms of payment does ACPE accept with the application?

ACPE only accepts Checks or ACH Transactions as a form of payment. Checks should be submitted with the application materials. If you or your Institution is interested in completing an ACH Transaction as a form of payment, please contact Commission Staff for details.

How long is an Exemption from Institutional Authorization status valid for?

Exemptions from Institutional Authorization are valid for five years, at which time the individual or Institution will need to submit a new application.

How long is an Initial Authorization status if I or my Institution is unable to earn an Exemption?

Individuals and institutions applying for Initial Authorization are heard at the Commission’s quarterly meetings and may receive authorization for up to 18 months. At which time, the Authorized Institution would be subject to Renewals of Authorization, which are granted up to five years, based on Commission decision.

What is the Immunization of Postsecondary Students or AS 14.48.165?

The Alaska Postsecondary Student Immunization Act (HB185) was signed into law, effective May 18, 2005. The requirements vary depending if a student is residing in campus housing (AS 14.48.165(a)) or if the student is physically present on the campus of the postsecondary educational institution (AS 14.48.165(b)). For students who are physically present, but not residing, the student must sign a document provided by the institution indicating that the student has received:

1. An immunization against meningococcal disease, or
2. The notice described in this letter.

The individual or institution that receives an Exemption from Institutional Authorization must retain this documentation for a period of at least one year after the student’s last date of attendance. For more details about this statute, please see our Frequently Asked Questions.

Frequently Asked Questions about AS 14.48.165

What's the law?
HB185, also known as the Alaska Postsecondary Immunization Act, was a bill offered in an effort to bring about public awareness of meningitis. The Alaska Postsecondary Immunization Act became law on May 18, 2005. The new law requires that all students attending a postsecondary educational institution sign a document provided by the institution indicating that the student has 1) received an immunization against the disease or 2) has been provided information about the disease. Currently no organization is exempt from this requirement.

Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education (ACPE)'s responsibility
Our responsibility as the state oversight authority for postsecondary education is to disseminate this information to educational providers and ensure that compliance with the intent of statute is met. Even more so, we want to make sure you have a clear understanding of how this effects your organization and where possible we hope to reduce your administrative burden. On that note, we have provided a form in our applications for individuals and institutions to utilize.

What can a school do if they have a question with compliance?
ACPE is here to help with questions. Our ultimate goal is to ensure all training organizations are compliant.

How will ACPE provide oversight?
ACPE reviews that these records at Site Visits for Authorized institutions. Currently we don't plan to extend our record reviews to Exempt organizations but do retain the right to review when necessary. Exempt institutions submit a self-attesting statement stating they will abide by and maintain the documentation.

Record retention
Authorized Institutions: Five years after a student has left the institution. Exempt Institutions: One year after a student has left the institution.

Does this apply to exempt schools?
Yes. ACPE is aware that Exempt institutions cover a wide variety of training programs that are not otherwise commonly related to "schools" or "educational institutions." These include apprenticeships, on-the-job training, non-traditional study and every other form of postsecondary training listed under statute and regulatory exemptions. ACPE requested clarification of the intent of this statute, and the sponsor of this legislation wanted no school to be exempt where contact is made with others during the course of the training.

Does this apply to distance delivery?
If the program of study is completed without contact during the course of the training, to include visits to administrative offices for enrollment or other actions, field training, etc., then this law is not applicable.

What about subcontracted training through the university?
Although the University system is otherwise exempt by this Chapter, the University is regulated by this legislation. If all administrative functions are accomplished by the University, then the University is responsible compliance. However, if responsibilities of the subcontractor under the MOA include administration of student records, then the subcontractor is responsible for compliance.

We don't have a campus why would this apply?
The statute taken in full context backed by the intent of the legislation clearly requires that all students attending a postsecondary training environment must sign the document. To reiterate this applies to student's receiving training where any type of contact is made, not 100% distance delivery as earlier defined.

I don't like the law so what's the venue to change?
The venue for change to statute is through your legislator.