Overview

Online and distance education is an important part of the PSC program offerings.  Recent amendments to the Higher Education Act of 1965 include changes in regulation for State Authorization that may impact online, distance, and correspondence education providers. The relevant language includes:

If an institution is offering postsecondary education through distance or correspondence education to students in a State in which it is not physically located or in which it is otherwise subject to State jurisdiction as determined by the State, the institution must meet any State requirements for it to be legally offering postsecondary distance or correspondence education in that State. An institution must be able to document to the Secretary the State's approval upon request.
(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1001 and 1002)

Complaint Resolution

In compliance with the language passed in the Higher Education Opportunities Act of 2008, the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE) conducted a Negotiated Rule Making Process in 2010, institutions offering distance education must provide enrolled and prospective students with contact information for filing complaints with its accrediting agency and with the appropriate state agency for handling complaints in the student's state. Below is information on PSC's accreditation agency, followed by links to the agencies in each state responsible for complaints regarding out-of-state distance education programs.

PSC Accreditation

PSC is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). The Illinois Board of Higher Education and the Illinois Community College Board has authorized the College to offer undergraduate courses and certificates, as well as associate degrees. Information regarding complaint process can be found on the HLC website (http://www.hlcommission.org/HLC-Institutions/complaints.html).

Licensure Disclosure

This resource contains important information about whether or not course programs align with requirements for other states. As a result, only those programs that are currently identified as leading to cetificate or licensure are included.

Complaint Resolution Contacts by State

These new regulations require us to provide prospective and current students with contact information for filing complaints with the appropriate agency in the state where the student resides. Please click on your state to be connected to the contact form should you have a complaint about a PSC distance program.

Student Complaint Information by State and Agency
Illinois Community College Board - Students