1111 Department of Consumer Affairs, Bureaus
Program Descriptions

27 - BUREAU FOR PRIVATE POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION

The former Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education became inoperative on July 1, 2007. Chapter 67, Statutes of 2007 (AB 1525) provided the Department of Consumer Affairs (Department) limited, interim-operation authority until January 31, 2008. The passage of Chapter 635, Statutes of 2007 (SB 45) extended that period to July 1, 2008. For approximately two years, the Department operated under informal agreements with the private postsecondary institutions until Chapter 310, Statutes of 2009 (AB 48) created a new California Private Postsecondary Education Act that reinstated the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (Bureau) effective January 1, 2010.

The Bureau oversees and approves private postsecondary degree-granting institutions to ensure they meet specified minimum statutory standards concerning the quality of education, ethical and business practices, health and safety, and fiscal responsibility. The Bureau responds to student complaints and oversees a fund designed to help reimburse a student's tuition if a school closes unexpectedly.