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2009 Report Card is available at http://www.dpe.edu/ReportCard2009 and is due to the Department on December 1, 2009.

Mission

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.

Purpose

The Private School Licensure Division of the Alabama Department of Postsecondary Education issues Private School Licenses to proprietary postsecondary schools interested in offering courses of instruction, whether on a resident campus or through distance learning, within the State of Alabama; based on recognized educational standards and practices.

Transparency

As of October 1, 2008, the Private School Licensure Division began requiring private/proprietary schools to complete an annual Report Card. This report card allows the Department of Postsecondary Education to maintain up-to-date information for each institution, both degree and non-degree granting. General information and program offerings are provided for each institution. The 2008 Report Card is available for each institution that has reported. The site will be updated regularly as institutions continue to report and update selected data. A detailed comparison of programs and costs, for both two-year public and private institutions, is available at http://www.accs.cc/SearchbyProgram.aspx

Contacts

Title Name Phone Email
Director Lynne Thrower 334.293.4603 lthrower@dpe.edu
Specialist Annette McGrady 334.293.4651 amcgrady@dpe.edu
Compliance Monitor Tivoli Mitchell 334.293.4653 tivoli.mitchell@dpe.edu
Secretary La'Sheria Thompson 334.293.4652 lthompson@dpe.edu

Documents

Driver Training School License Act (PDF)
Driver School Act A G Opinion (PDF)

Licensed Private Driver Training Schools
A-1 Whatley Driving School Madison, Alabama
Barber Driving School, Inc. Columbus, Georgia
Driving School of Alabama Wetumpka, Alabama
Red Mountain Driving Academy Trussville, Alabama
Sims Driving School Fayetteville, Tennessee
West Alabama Driver Education Tuscaloosa, Alabama

2008 Report Card Data
Online Application for Private School License
Private School Licensure Seminar (PDF) December 4, 2008
Private School Licensure Staff (PDF)
Private School Licensure Advisory Board (PDF)
Tips For Recognizing a Fraudulent Institution (PDF)
Private School Licensure Training (Power Point Presentation 2007)
Agents Bond Form (PDF)
Performance Bond Form Non-Degree (PDF)
Performance Bond Form Degree (PDF)
Guidelines for obtaining a Private School License (PDF)
Application for Private School License (PDF)
Private School Licensure Fee Schedule & Form (PDF)
Faculty Roster Form PS-3 (PDF)
Transcript Request Form (PDF)
Annual Private School Report Card Questionnaire
Complaint Form

Legal Statement

The Code of Alabama Section 46-16-1 through 10 provides that the Alabama Department of Postsecondary Education has approval /licensing authority for for-profit/proprietary vocational/technical school, non-degree-granting proprietary schools and non-accredited degree-granting institutions. No proprietary postsecondary school, unless otherwise exempted, shall operate within the State of Alabama unless the school first secures a Private School License. These licenses are based on recognized educational standards and practices; and are valid for a two year period.

Affiliated Divisions & Organizations

ACHE
ACCSCT
USDLA
DETC
CHEA
Alabama Commission on Higher Education
Accredlting Commission of Career School of Technology
United States Distance Learning Association
Distance Education and Training Council
Council for Higher Education Accreditation