It is generally recognized that courses of instruction, whether in residence, distance, or correspondence, result in substantial benefits for students pursuing such courses, provided that such courses are designed and administered in accordance with recognized educational standards and practices. To ensure that Alabamians who attend private, proprietary postsecondary educational institutions are protected from fraud, the state enacted laws prescribing that all schools, except those exempted by law, shall first secure an Alabama Private School License from the Alabama Department of Postsecondary Education. All schools must either obtain an Alabama Private School License or a Certificate of Exemption.