About Us
Our Mission:
The Bureau protects students and consumers in California and beyond, through the oversight of California's private postsecondary educational institutions, by conducting qualitative reviews of educational programs and operating standards, proactively combating unlicensed activity, impartially resolving student and consumer complaints, and providing support and financial relief to harmed students.
Our Vision:
To be the national leader in regulating private postsecondary institutions and promoting a landscape of postsecondary educational opportunities that maximize a Californians' opportunity to receive a quality education.
Our Values:
- Consumer Protection. The Bureau will make effective and informed decisions in the best interest and for the safety of consumers.
- Accountability and Effectiveness. The Bureau will take ownership and responsibility for its actions and results.
- Quality and Integrity. The Bureau will deliver consistently high-quality service, information, and support that reflects excellence and professionalism.
- Inclusivity and Transparency. The Bureau will be open to all voices and perspectives, actively encouraging the sharing of ideas and information throughout the organization and with the public, and being receptive to new ideas.
About the Bureau:
Effective January 1, 2010, Assembly Bill 48 (Portantino, Chapter 310, Statutes of 2009) established the California Private Postsecondary Education Act (Act) and created the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (Bureau or BPPE) within the California Department of Consumer Affairs to provide oversight of private postsecondary educational institutions operating in California.
Specifically, the Act directs the Bureau to:
- Create a structure that provides an appropriate level of oversight, including approval of private postsecondary educational institutions and programs.
- Establish minimum operating standards for California private postsecondary educational institutions to ensure quality education for students.
- Provide consumers a meaningful opportunity to have complaints resolved.
- Support past, current, and prospective students in making informed decisions about college enrollment, including facilitating access to financial relief when students experience economic loss.
- Ensure that private postsecondary educational institutions offer accurate information to prospective students on institutional and student performance.
- Create opportunities for stakeholders to have a voice and be heard in the operations of and rulemaking process by the Bureau.
- Proactively combat unlicensed institutions.
The Bureau oversees and has statutory authority over private postsecondary educational institutions operating with a physical presence in California, except for those specifically exempted by the Act. The Bureau registers specified out-of-state institutions enrolling Californians without a physical presence in California.