Through its recommended Education Standards, CCST works to ensure the quality of programs and integrity of the private career school sector of higher education.
- Only schools licensed, approved or regulated by the Texas Workforce Commission, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, the Texas Department of Health, the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations, or other appropriate state agencies are eligible for membership.
- CCST actively seeks partnerships with private industry to maintain the currency of its member schools’ training.
- Through its work with legislators and public agencies, CCST advocates continued and increased levels of public financial aid for students pursuing a career path through private career schools.
- CCST periodically conducts careers chool economic impact studies, serving and informing members, legislators, and the public concerning placement of private career school graduates, and their impact on the job market and the Texas economy.
- CCST has developed good working relationships and regularly interacts with the Texas Workforce Commission, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, and the U.S. Department of Education, offering insight and recommendations on regulations, policies, and procedures affecting private career schools, and ultimately their students.
CCST Educational Standards
Career Colleges & Schools of Texas (CCST) is an association of private career schools licensed by the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC), the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB), the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) or other state licensing agency. Some of the institutions are authorized to grant Associate of Applied Arts or Science degrees by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB). The programs of its members are designed to provide needed skills for available jobs in the shortest time possible. CCST is dedicated to qualitypost-secondary education in Texas to support the mission and role of private career schools and colleges.
The following standards are recommended by CCST:
- The schools will employ qualified directors, administrators, and teachers.
- The schools will use a curriculum of adequate level, content, and duration to achieve the published objectives of the courses they offer.
- The schools will comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the State of Texas and have a valid state license or degree granting authorization.
- The schools will have sound financial structure with sufficient resources to continue to operate.
- The schools will have an equitable policy for the refund of any unused portion of tuition should a student fail to begin a course, withdraw, or discontinue at any time prior to completion.
- Satisfactory standards relating to attendance, progress, and conduct will be enforced by the school.
- The school will conduct classes in a permanent facility and location.
- Upon satisfactory completion of training, the student will be given a certificate, diploma, or degree by the school, indicating completion of the training.
- The school’s rooms, buildings, and student housing facilities will meet the requirements of local authorities.
- Space, area, heat, light, and ventilation will be sufficient and reasonable.
- Educational laboratory equipment will be of such quantity, quality, and type as to be sufficiently up-to-date for the type of training offered and the number of students enrolled.
- The program of instruction will lead to a gainful occupation. Employment opportunities must support the need for instruction.
- Course content, quality, and length will be consistent with recognized standards. Adequate course outlines will beprovided to prospective students. Subject material will satisfy the current needs of the occupation, and the course length will be clearly defined with a description of the achievement goals.
- The director of training or dean will have the educational background, technical experience, and the administrative competence to plan and properly supervise the training programs.
- Each instructor will be experienced in the field, trained to teach, and demonstrate continuing knowledge in his/her particular subject area(s).
- The instructor will be of good character and have enough maturity to serve in the demanding capacity of a teacher.
- The instructional staff will be large enough to properly serve the number of students enrolled.
- Qualified assistant instructors may be used, provided that they function under the direct supervision of a qualified instructor.
- Textbooks and references will be up-to-date, comprehensive, and subject-related.
- Lesson, project, and information sheets will be accurate and reflect current knowledge and practices. They will be reproduced legibly and neatly.
- Teaching devices and visual aids will be adequate for the objectives of the training program.
- All printed materials will accurately represent the school, its training program, the facilities, and its accreditation (if any).
- Catalogs and brochures used to advertise the school will accurately explain and interpret the institution.
- Catalogs will contain information about the course syllabus, hours of each required subject, entrance requirements, hours of attendance, tuition charges, fees and discounts, refund policy, scholarship programs, schedules, grading procedures, student regulations, housing, and placement practices.
- Schools will only enroll qualified students who may reasonably be expected to benefit from the training offered.
- The school will accurately convey occupational requirements and limitations of opportunities for those who have health or physical problems.
- Compulsory school-age students will be enrolled only with the consent of the proper authorities.
- Schools will avoid any overt or implied claims of job guarantee upon completion of the training.
- It is the responsibility of every school to provide placement guidance for all graduates who seek employment.
- Placement records of graduates will be retained for a reasonable period of time.
- All member schools will answer student complaints in a timely and equitable manner.
- All school owners will be of good moral character and have the administrative competence to operate the school.