Gainful Employment Introduction
In 2010, the U.S. Department of Education (“Department” or “DOE”) proposed a host of new regulations for higher education program integrity and student aid (“Program Integrity Rules”) intended to curb perceived abuses of taxpayer money and protect unwary students. The publication of these rules followed a contentious round of negotiated rulemaking—during which the federal government consulted with constituents to draft or revise new rules—held by the Department from late 2009 to early 2010. Since their publication, the Program Integrity Rules have generated unprecedented public comment and have elicited a lawsuit from the Association of Private Sector Colleges and Universities seeking to block portions of the regulations. Despite the controversy, however, all but one of the Program Integrity Rules were finalized in the fall of 2010, and colleges and universities must comply with the new requirements beginning July 1, 2011.
In all, there are fourteen areas of program integrity addressed by the Department’s new regulations. Outlined below are the five rules with greatest significance for NACUA’s public and nonprofit institutional members: (1) credit hours; (2) gainful employment; (3) incentive compensation; (4) misrepresentation; and (5) state authorization. Additional resources on the Program Integrity Rules are available on NACUA’s website, www.nacua.org.
Gainful Employment Requirements
Background and Purpose
In order to be eligible for funding under Title IV of the HEA, an educational program must lead to a degree (associate, bachelor’s, graduate, or professional) or prepare students for “gainful employment in a recognized occupation.” In addition, virtually all programs—degree and nondegree—offered by proprietary institutions must prepare students for “gainful employment in a recognized occupation.” Collectively, these programs are referred to as “GE Programs.” More than 5,000 out of approximately 6,000 institutions participating in Title IV programs have GE Programs.
Concerned about schools that provide no value for the money, the Department of Education in the summer of 2010 proposed new regulations which would define “gainful employment” for the first time and require schools to publicize information about programs required to lead to gainful employment. These gainful employment regulations have been the subject of a long discussion and enormous amount of public comment that has caused significant delays in the rules’ release.
The first set of final gainful employment regulations was published on October 29, 2011 and establishes reporting and disclosure requirements for current programs, as well as the need for prior Department approval of new programs (see First Set of Gainful Employment Regulations below—Reporting, Disclosures, and New Program Approvals below).
Eligibility and Impact
For both domestic and foreign public and nonprofit institutions, GE Programs include the following:
- Nondegree programs, including all certificate programs that last one or more academic years. These include undergraduate, post-baccalaureate, graduate, and postgraduate certificate programs, but do not include certificates received as part of a degree program.
- Teacher certification programs that result in a certificate awarded by the institution.
- Approved “Comprehensive Transition Programs” for students with intellectual disabilities.
For both domestic and foreign public and nonprofit institutions, the following are not considered GE Programs:
- Programs that lead to a degree, including associate’s, bachelor’s, graduate, and professional degrees.
- Programs that are at least two years in length that are fully transferable to a bachelor’s degree program.
- Teacher certificate programs where the institution provides a collection of coursework necessary for the student to receive a state professional teaching credential or certification.
- Preparatory courses of study that provide coursework necessary for enrollment in an eligible program.
Disclosure Requirements for Current GE Programs
Institutions must also disclose certain information about each of their GE programs to prospective students, including in promotional materials available to prospective students and on institutional websites. These disclosures must begin no later than July 1, 2011.
- The name and U.S. Department of Labor’s Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code of the occupations that the program prepares students to enter, along with links to occupational profiles on the U.S. Department of Labor’s O*NET Website or its successor site (note that if the number of occupations exceeds ten, the institution may provide web links to a representative sample);
- The on-time graduation rate for students completing the program;
- The tuition and fees the institution charges a student for completing the program in normal time;
- The typical costs for books and supplies (unless included as part of tuition and fees) and the cost of room and board, if applicable;
- The job placement rate for students completing the program and
- The median loan debt incurred by students who completed the program (separately by Title IV loans and by other educational debt to include both private educational loans and institutional financing), as provided by the Department.
Gainful Employment Program Disclosure Forms
Accounting
Accounting
BACC
32.52.0201.03
13-2011.00
(Click SOC code for more info about SOC 13-2011.00 from the Tennessee Career Information Delivery System)
1 yr
$3,509.00
$900.00
$6,184.00
$550.00
$2,837.00
$1,3980.00
*figures based on 2011-2012 academic year for in-state, off-campus residents
Median debt for graduates: $4,985.00
from Title IV loans: $4,985.00
from other sources: n/a
Percent of graduates that complete the program within expected time, as identified by the program length.
n/a*
Institutional Reporting
*job placement rates based on 2010 graduates as reported by Institutional Research
Architectural Design
Architectural Design
09.15.1303.00
17-1011.00
(Click SOC code for more info about SOC 17-1011.00 from the Tennessee Career Information Delivery System)
1 yr
$3,509.00
$900.00
$6,184.00
$550.00
$2,837.00
$1,3980.00
*figures based on 2011-2012 academic year for in-state, off-campus residents
Median debt for graduates: $4,985.00
from Title IV loans: $4,985.00
from other sources: n/a
Percent of graduates that complete the program within expected time, as identified by the program length.
n/a*
Institutional Reporting
*job placement rates based on 2010 graduates as reported by Institutional Research
Business and Management
Business and Management
BMGT
32.52.0201.01
11-9199.99
(Click SOC code for more info about SOC 11-9199.99 from the Tennessee Career Information Delivery System)
1 yr
$3,509.00
$900.00
$6,184.00
$550.00
$2,837.00
$1,3980.00
*figures based on 2011-2012 academic year for in-state, off-campus residents
Median debt for graduates: $4,985.00
from Title IV loans: $4,985.00
from other sources: n/a
Percent of graduates that complete the program within expected time, as identified by the program length.
n/a*
Institutional Reporting
*job placement rates based on 2010 graduates as reported by Institutional Research
Civil Technology
Civil Technology
09.15.0201.00
17-2051.00
(Click SOC code for more info about SOC 17-2051.00 from the Tennessee Career Information Delivery System)
1 yr
$3,509.00
$900.00
$6,184.00
$550.00
$2,837.00
$1,3980.00
*figures based on 2011-2012 academic year for in-state, off-campus residents
Median debt for graduates: $4,985.00
from Title IV loans: $4,985.00
from other sources: n/a
Percent of graduates that complete the program within expected time, as identified by the program length.
n/a*
Institutional Reporting
*job placement rates based on 2010 graduates as reported by Institutional Research
Climate Control
Climate Control
09.15.0505.00
49-9021.00
(Click SOC code for more info about SOC 49-9021.00 from the Tennessee Career Information Delivery System)
1 yr
$3,509.00
$900.00
$6,184.00
$550.00
$2,837.00
$1,3980.00
*figures based on 2011-2012 academic year for in-state, off-campus residents
Median debt for graduates: $4,985.00
from Title IV loans: $4,985.00
from other sources: n/a
Percent of graduates that complete the program within expected time, as identified by the program length.
n/a*
Institutional Reporting
*job placement rates based on 2010 graduates as reported by Institutional Research
Coding Specialist
Coding Specialist
CS_OCTT
32.52.0401.00
31-9094.00
(Click SOC code for more info about SOC 31-9094.00 from the Tennessee Career Information Delivery System)
1 yr
$3,509.00
$900.00
$6,184.00
$550.00
$2,837.00
$1,3980.00
*figures based on 2011-2012 academic year for in-state, off-campus residents
Median debt for graduates: $4,985.00
from Title IV loans: $4,985.00
from other sources: n/a
Percent of graduates that complete the program within expected time, as identified by the program length.
n/a*
Institutional Reporting
*job placement rates based on 2010 graduates as reported by Institutional Research
Computer Business Applications
Computer Business Applications
BCBA
32.52.0201.04
15-1099.99
(Click SOC code for more info about SOC 15-1099.99 from the Tennessee Career Information Delivery System)
1 yr
$3,509.00
$900.00
$6,184.00
$550.00
$2,837.00
$1,3980.00
*figures based on 2011-2012 academic year for in-state, off-campus residents
Median debt for graduates: $4,985.00
from Title IV loans: $4,985.00
from other sources: n/a
Percent of graduates that complete the program within expected time, as identified by the program length.
n/a*
Institutional Reporting
*job placement rates based on 2010 graduates as reported by Institutional Research
Construction Applications
Construction Applications
29.46.0415.01
47-4099.99
(Click SOC code for more info about SOC 47-4099.99 from the Tennessee Career Information Delivery System)
1 yr
$3,509.00
$900.00
$6,184.00
$550.00
$2,837.00
$1,3980.00
*figures based on 2011-2012 academic year for in-state, off-campus residents
Median debt for graduates: $4,985.00
from Title IV loans: $4,985.00
from other sources: n/a
Percent of graduates that complete the program within expected time, as identified by the program length.
n/a*
Institutional Reporting
*job placement rates based on 2010 graduates as reported by Institutional Research
Construction Surveying
Construction Surveying
29.46.0415.00
17-3031.01
(Click SOC code for more info about SOC 17-3031.01 from the Tennessee Career Information Delivery System)
1 yr
$3,509.00
$900.00
$6,184.00
$550.00
$2,837.00
$1,3980.00
*figures based on 2011-2012 academic year for in-state, off-campus residents
Median debt for graduates: $4,985.00
from Title IV loans: $4,985.00
from other sources: n/a
Percent of graduates that complete the program within expected time, as identified by the program length.
n/a*
Institutional Reporting
*job placement rates based on 2010 graduates as reported by Institutional Research
Customer Service
Customer Service
BCSV
32.52.0201.02
43-4051.00
(Click SOC code for more info about SOC 43-4051.00 from the Tennessee Career Information Delivery System)
1 yr
$3,509.00
$900.00
$6,184.00
$550.00
$2,837.00
$1,3980.00
*figures based on 2011-2012 academic year for in-state, off-campus residents
Median debt for graduates: $4,985.00
from Title IV loans: $4,985.00
from other sources: n/a
Percent of graduates that complete the program within expected time, as identified by the program length.
n/a*
Institutional Reporting
*job placement rates based on 2010 graduates as reported by Institutional Research
Electrical Maintenance Fundamentals
Electrical Maintenance Fundamentals
TEMF
09.15.0303.00
17-3023.00
(Click SOC code for more info about SOC 17-3023.00 from the Tennessee Career Information Delivery System)
1 yr
$3,509.00
$900.00
$6,184.00
$550.00
$2,837.00
$1,3980.00
*figures based on 2011-2012 academic year for in-state, off-campus residents
Median debt for graduates: $4,985.00
from Title IV loans: $4,985.00
from other sources: n/a
Percent of graduates that complete the program within expected time, as identified by the program length.
n/a*
Institutional Reporting
*job placement rates based on 2010 graduates as reported by Institutional Research
Emergency Medical Tech
Emergency Medical Tech
31.51.0904.00
29-2041.00
(Click SOC code for more info about SOC 29-2041.00 from the Tennessee Career Information Delivery System)
1 yr
$3,509.00
$900.00
$6,184.00
$550.00
$2,837.00
$1,3980.00
*figures based on 2011-2012 academic year for in-state, off-campus residents
Median debt for graduates: $4,985.00
from Title IV loans: $4,985.00
from other sources: n/a
Percent of graduates that complete the program within expected time, as identified by the program length.
n/a*
Institutional Reporting
*job placement rates based on 2010 graduates as reported by Institutional Research
General Office Assistant
General Office Assistant
GOA_OCTT
32.52.0401.00
43-9199.99
(Click SOC code for more info about SOC 43-9199.99 from the Tennessee Career Information Delivery System)
1 yr
$3,509.00
$900.00
$6,184.00
$550.00
$2,837.00
$1,3980.00
*figures based on 2011-2012 academic year for in-state, off-campus residents
Median debt for graduates: $4,985.00
from Title IV loans: $4,985.00
from other sources: n/a
Percent of graduates that complete the program within expected time, as identified by the program length.
n/a*
Institutional Reporting
*job placement rates based on 2010 graduates as reported by Institutional Research
Industrial Automation Fundamentals
Industrial Automation Fundamentals
TIAF
09.15.0612.00
49-9041.00
(Click SOC code for more info about SOC 49-9041.00 from the Tennessee Career Information Delivery System)
1 yr
$3,509.00
$900.00
$6,184.00
$550.00
$2,837.00
$1,3980.00
*figures based on 2011-2012 academic year for in-state, off-campus residents
Median debt for graduates: $4,985.00
from Title IV loans: $4,985.00
from other sources: n/a
Percent of graduates that complete the program within expected time, as identified by the program length.
n/a*
Institutional Reporting
*job placement rates based on 2010 graduates as reported by Institutional Research
Law Enforcement Training
Law Enforcement Training
27.43.0107.00
33-3051.00
(Click SOC code for more info about SOC 33-3051.00 from the Tennessee Career Information Delivery System)
1 yr
$3,509.00
$900.00
$6,184.00
$550.00
$2,837.00
$1,3980.00
*figures based on 2011-2012 academic year for in-state, off-campus residents
Median debt for graduates: $4,985.00
from Title IV loans: $4,985.00
from other sources: n/a
Percent of graduates that complete the program within expected time, as identified by the program length.
n/a*
Institutional Reporting
*job placement rates based on 2010 graduates as reported by Institutional Research
Mechanical Drafting
Mechanical Drafting
09.15.1306.00
17-3013.00
(Click SOC code for more info about SOC 17-3013.00 from the Tennessee Career Information Delivery System)
1 yr
$3,509.00
$900.00
$6,184.00
$550.00
$2,837.00
$1,3980.00
*figures based on 2011-2012 academic year for in-state, off-campus residents
Median debt for graduates: $4,985.00
from Title IV loans: $4,985.00
from other sources: n/a
Percent of graduates that complete the program within expected time, as identified by the program length.
n/a*
Institutional Reporting
*job placement rates based on 2010 graduates as reported by Institutional Research
Mechanical Maintenance Fundamentals
Mechanical Maintenance Fundamentals
TMMF
09.15.0805.00
17-3027.00
(Click SOC code for more info about SOC 17-3027.00 from the Tennessee Career Information Delivery System)
1 yr
$3,509.00
$900.00
$6,184.00
$550.00
$2,837.00
$1,3980.00
*figures based on 2011-2012 academic year for in-state, off-campus residents
Median debt for graduates: $4,985.00
from Title IV loans: $4,985.00
from other sources: n/a
Percent of graduates that complete the program within expected time, as identified by the program length.
n/a*
Institutional Reporting
*job placement rates based on 2010 graduates as reported by Institutional Research
Network Systems Design
Network Systems Design
TNSD
06.11.0901.00
15-1099.03
(Click SOC code for more info about SOC 15-1099.03 from the Tennessee Career Information Delivery System)
1 yr
$3,509.00
$900.00
$6,184.00
$550.00
$2,837.00
$1,3980.00
*figures based on 2011-2012 academic year for in-state, off-campus residents
Median debt for graduates: $4,985.00
from Title IV loans: $4,985.00
from other sources: n/a
Percent of graduates that complete the program within expected time, as identified by the program length.
n/a*
Institutional Reporting
*job placement rates based on 2010 graduates as reported by Institutional Research
Process Control Fundamentals
Process Control Fundamentals
TPCF
25.41.0303.00
11-3051.00
(Click SOC code for more info about SOC 11-3051.00 from the Tennessee Career Information Delivery System)
1 yr
$3,509.00
$900.00
$6,184.00
$550.00
$2,837.00
$1,3980.00
*figures based on 2011-2012 academic year for in-state, off-campus residents
Median debt for graduates: $4,985.00
from Title IV loans: $4,985.00
from other sources: n/a
Percent of graduates that complete the program within expected time, as identified by the program length.
n/a*
Institutional Reporting
*job placement rates based on 2010 graduates as reported by Institutional Research
Technology Essentials
Technology Essentials
23.32.0111.00
17-3026.00
(Click SOC code for more info about SOC 17-3026.00 from the Tennessee Career Information Delivery System)
1 yr
$3,509.00
$900.00
$6,184.00
$550.00
$2,837.00
$1,3980.00
*figures based on 2011-2012 academic year for in-state, off-campus residents
Median debt for graduates: $4,985.00
from Title IV loans: $4,985.00
from other sources: n/a
Percent of graduates that complete the program within expected time, as identified by the program length.
n/a*
Institutional Reporting
*job placement rates based on 2010 graduates as reported by Institutional Research
Zero Energy Housing
Zero Energy Housing
TZEH
09.15.0503.00
17-3025.00
(Click SOC code for more info about SOC 17-3025.00 from the Tennessee Career Information Delivery System)
1 yr
$3,509.00
$900.00
$6,184.00
$550.00
$2,837.00
$1,3980.00
*figures based on 2011-2012 academic year for in-state, off-campus residents
Median debt for graduates: $4,985.00
from Title IV loans: $4,985.00
from other sources: n/a
Percent of graduates that complete the program within expected time, as identified by the program length.
n/a*
Institutional Reporting
*job placement rates based on 2010 graduates as reported by Institutional Research
Web Page Authoring (RODP)
Web Page Authoring (RODP)
WEBP
06.11.0801.00
15-1099.04
(Click SOC code for more info about SOC 15-1099.04 from the Tennessee Career Information Delivery System)
1 yr
$3,509.00
$900.00
$6,184.00
$550.00
$2,837.00
$1,3980.00
*figures based on 2011-2012 academic year for in-state, off-campus residents
Median debt for graduates: $4,985.00
from Title IV loans: $4,985.00
from other sources: n/a
Percent of graduates that complete the program within expected time, as identified by the program length.
n/a*
Institutional Reporting
*job placement rates based on 2010 graduates as reported by Institutional Research
“I chose to come to Cleveland State because I was awarded a scholarship that will help me save money to put towards a four-year degree.”
