I. Advertising, Promotion, Statements, and Claims

Platt College must observe  ethical  practices  and  procedures  with  regard  to advertising,   promotion, statements,  and  claims and must,  at  a  minimum,  adhere  to  the  ACCSC standards of  advertising,  promotion,  statements, and claims to follow:

1. All advertising,  promotional materials, statements, and claims are truthful and accurate and avoid leaving  any  false,  misleading,  misrepresenting,  or  exaggerated  impressions  with  respect  to  the  school, its location, its name, its personnel, its training, its services, or its accredited status.
2. All advertising and promotional materials clearly indicate that education, and not employment, is being offered.  No  overt  or  implied  claim  or  guarantee  of  individual  employment  is  made  at  any  time and any references to employment or salary prospects must be  accurate and sourced.
3. Platt College may use the term “University” in its name only when such use has been approved by the Commission and appropriate state authorities.
4. Platt College may  not  use  the  Employment  or  Help  Wanted  classifieds  for  any  form  of  student recruitment.
5. Platt College may only use endorsements in school catalogs, literature, or advertising with the written consent of the authors, which is kept on file and subject to inspection. Any such endorsement is to be  a  bona  fide  expression  of  the  author’s  opinions,  strictly  factual,  and  a  portrayal  of  currently  correct  conditions  or  facts.  Under no circumstances may currently enrolled students provide endorsements on behalf of a school.
6. Platt College  personnel,  advertisements,  and  promotional  materials  may  only  provide  information  pertaining to potential salary that accurately portrays the normal range and starting salaries in the occupation for which training is provided. Salary information must also include the source of the information, which is valid.
7. Platt College may only use the term “accredited” if it indicates by what agency or organization it is accredited.  Publication  of  accreditation  must  comply  with  the  Instructions  for  Disclosure  and  Advertising of Accredited Status form.
8. At Platt College, advertising  of  financial aid  and  scholarships includes  an  eligibility  phrase  (e.g.,  financial  aid  available for those who qualify).
9. Platt College may  not  describe  in  its  catalog,  advertise,  or  promote  new  programs,  substantive  changes, or degree programs prior to receiving written ACCSC’s Commission approval.
10. Platt College, specifically the Office of the President, will approve all promotional materials used by school personnel in advance and accepts full responsibility for the materials used.
11. Platt College, as an ACCSC-accredited institution, may publish official affiliation with the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges by imprinting the ACCSC logo on advertising, literature, or other publication. The ACCSC logo is available for download under the Resources section at www.accsc.org.

Platt College will provide each applicant with a current and complete catalog and an opportunity to review the catalog prior to singing the enrollment agreement to facilitate an informed decision. The College Catalog be available on the college website and linked for review. Students that receive an electronic copy of the catalog are able to receive a printed and bound copy of the catalog upon request. The Catalog will accurately depict:

• The title of the publication (i.e., “catalog”).
• The name and address of the school.
• The date of publication (month/year).
• The school’s mission statement.
• A statement of the school’s history.
• A description of the school’s general physical facilities and equipment.
• The maximum number of students in typical classroom or laboratory/shop settings of instruction.
• The educational objectives of each program, including the name, nature and level of occupations (e.g., entry-level) for which training is provided.
• The admission requirements for each program.
• The admission procedures.
• The transfer-of-credit policy to include the criteria and process for evaluating and accepting credit earned at other institutions for transfer.
• The total number of clock hours or credit hours as applicable for each course and program.
• As applicable, the type of credit hour awarded, semester or quarter.
• The length of time in weeks or months normally required for completion of each program.
• A clear description of each program offered by the school to include the title, educational objectives, scope and sequence,  course descriptions, and the name, nature and level of occupations (e.g., entry-level) for which training is provided.
• The policy relating to attendance.
• The policy relating to make-up work.
• The policy relating to conduct.
• The policy relating to probation and termination.
• The grading / assessment system(s) used.
• The satisfactory progress policy.
• The required levels of performance for graduation.
• The academic credential (certificate, diploma, or degree) awarded upon graduation for each program.
• The tuition and other student charges related to the enrollment, such as deposits, fees, books, supplies, tools, equipment, transportation, and any other "extras" e.g., make-up work, special testing, equipment, late charges, or other school services for which a student may be responsible.
• The refund policy and a statement indicating where information regarding any applicable third party funding agency refund or return of funds policies (e.g., Title IV, Veterans Administration, WIA, etc.) may be obtained. (Please note that the refund policy in the school’s catalog must be consistently disclosed in the school’s enrollment agreement – see Section  I (D) (5) & (6), Substantive Standards,  Standards of Accreditation).
• A detailed and explicit description of the extent and nature of employment assistance available to students and/or graduates.
• A detailed description of the nature and extent of all available student services and how students go about obtaining such services.
• A calendar for the school year including vacation periods, breaks, holidays, etc.
• The complaint policy and procedures which includes, at a minimum, all items required in the Student Complaint Procedures of the ACCSC Complaint Review Process Form.
• If the school offers a course with secondary objectives,***  a designation and disclosure that clearly shows the course(s) are not within the school’s scope of accredited programs, except those that fall under the next item in this checklist.
• If the school offers a course with secondary objectives that have been approved by ACCSC to be included as within the school’s scope of institutional accreditation, the school’s catalog must include:
  • A statement making clear the course is not vocational in nature and does not lead to initial employment;
  • A course description that clearly shows the clock hour length, length in days or weeks, and educational scope of the course;
  • Whether the course is a prerequisite or provides credit toward any vocational program offered within the school;
  • The type of completion document provided by the school upon completion;
  • The refund policy; and
  • The complaint policy in accordance with #30 of this checklist.

Items as may be required by any regulatory or governmental bodies (such as state licensing and approval agencies).

1. A school utilizes an ernollment agreement that includes, at a minimum, all required items listed on the ACCSC Enrollment Agreement Checklist (below) and that clearly states the obligations of both the student and the school.

• Title of agreement.
• Name and address of school.
• Program title.
• Number of clock hours (or credit units, if applicable), including the number of weeks or months required for graduation.
• Type of document (certificate, diploma, or degree) awarded upon graduation.
• The tuition period which the agreement covers (e.g., quarter, semester, etc.) and the number and length of such periods required for graduation must be clearly disclosed.
• Tuition and other student charges related to the enrollment, such as deposits, fees, books, supplies, tools, equipment, transportation, and any other “extras” e.g., make-up work, special testing, equipment, late charges, or other school services for which a student may be responsible.
• Payment method and terms of payment.
• Starting date of program.
• Specific times of class attendance.
• Grounds for cancellation / termination by the school.
• Procedures for cancellation / termination by the student.
• The school’s refund policy as disclosed in the school’s catalog.
• Disclaimer of employment guarantee.
• Acknowledgment that student has read and received a copy of the agreement. The statement must be in large and conspicuous print.
• Signature of applicant and date signed (parent or other sponsor may sign, if applicable).
• Signature of appropriate school official (excluding those involved in recruiting) and acceptance date.
• Other items required by various governmental bodies (such as state licensing and approval agencies).
• If the agreement is presented on more than one page, it must clearly and conspicuously refer the student to succeeding pages.

2. Platt College executes an enrollment agreement for all enrolled students.

3. Platt College ensures that each applicant has an opportunity to review the enrollment agreement and is fully informed of the rights, responsibilities, and obligations of both the student and the school under the enrollment agreement before it is signed by the applicant.

4. Platt College furnishes  a  copy  of  the  enrollment  agreement  to  the  applicant  at  the  time  the  applicant signs. A school must furnish to the student prior to the student starting class a final copy of the enrollment agreement signed by both parties.

5. At Platt College, no  enrollment  agreement  is  binding  until  it  has  been  signed  by  the  student  and  accepted  by  the appropriate school official.

6. Conditional Items:

• Reasons and maximum period for possible delay of scheduled starting date with list of alternatives and effect on the refund policy.       
• Nature and extent of possible changes in program content, materials, or schedule and extra expenses to the student.          
• Special graduation conditions or requirements must be listed.
• Compliance with appropriate state and local retail installment requirements (e.g., type size, notice to buyer, computation box, etc.), as well as compliance with Federal Truth-In-Lending requirements (Regulation Z) if more than four payments are scheduled (e.g., mention of interest rates) must be outlined.  The school’s enrollment agreement must contain a statement if there is a separate retail sales contract and, at a minimum, incorporate that document in the enrollment agreement by reference.
• If the school reserves the right to adjust tuition rates before completion of the program, specific points in the program at which tuition changes may occur (school year, quarter, etc.) and the amount of reasonable advance notice to students must be outlined.
• Requirements that student (and financial sponsors, if any) authorize the sale, discount or transfer of agreement or promissory notes and statement that the refund policy continues to apply must be outlined.
• Name of the field representative and compliance with Federal Trade Commission door-to-door sales rule must be disclosed for any contacts made away from the school premises.
• If a parent company, headquarters, or other organization or agency, separate from the school, is involved in the student contact or relations, name and address of the company or agency, nature of the anticipated contact or relations, role of the school in arranging the contact and in settlement of possible disputes must be outlined.   
• Additional disclosures of rights, obligations, requirements, and conditions created by the enrollment agreement not specifically identified herein must be outlined.  
• If the school offers a course with secondary objectives* that have been approved by ACCSC to be included as within the school’s scope of institutional accreditation, the school must use an Enrollment Agreement in conformance with will all items of the Enrollment Agreement Checklist (replace “program” with “course” in the requirements).

Platt College discloses, minimally, the graduation and graduate employment rate for each program offered as last reported to the Commission. The disclosure for each program’s graduation and graduate employment rate must be accurate, not intended to mislead, and includes the program population base and time frame upon which each rate is based.

1. Platt College discloses its ACCSC institutional accreditation and the Commission’s contact information (i.e., address, phone number, and website address). Platt College also discloses its accreditation status in accordance with ACEN's Policy # 9 Disclosure of Information About an Accredited Program.

2. In accordance with Section VII (L)(8), ACCSC’s Rules of Process and Procedure, any school that  becomes subject to a Probation Order must inform current and prospective students that the school has been placed on Probation  and  that  additional  information  regarding  that  action  can  be  obtained  from  the  Commission’s website.

Where a program requires accreditation (institutional or programmatic) and/or approval by a third-party regulatory agency (e.g., state agency, licensing agency, oversight board, national certification entity, etc.), for the purpose of licensure, certification, or employment, Platt College discloses to students whether or not such accreditation and/or third-party recognition has been achieved and is in good standing. Any claims regarding any type of accreditation or approval by an oversight entity must be truthful and accurate.

1. Pursuant to Section IV (A)(7), Substantive Standards, Standards of Accreditation, Platt College must  approve all promotional materials used by school personnel in advance and accepts full responsibility for the materials used.

2. Pursuant to Section IV (B)(1), Substantive Standards, Standards of Accreditation, Platt College’s advertising and promotional materials are truthful and accurate and avoid leaving any false, misleading, or exaggerated impressions with respect to the school or its accredited status.

3. Platt College may publish official affiliation with the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges by imprinting the ACCSC logo on advertising, literature, or other publication. The ACCSC logo is available for download under the Resources section at www.accsc.org. 

4. When citing accreditation status in advertising, literature, or publications, the following types of references, or substantially similar, may be used:

a. Accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC). This reference may be used alone; with the name of the school/institution/college*/university† immediately preceding; or as a part of a sentence prefixed by phrases such as:

• This [school/institution/college*/university†] is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC).
• Our [school/institution/ college*/university†] is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC).
• [Institution Name] is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC).

b. Accredited [Member/Institution/School/College*/University†], Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges.
c. Accredited Member/Institution/School/College*/University† – ACCSC.

5. ACCSC-accredited institutions may not use the phrase “fully accredited.”

6. When referencing the accredited status of a satellite location in advertising, the following statement must be included:

• (Name of satellite location) is recognized by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) as a satellite location of (name and location of main school/branch).

7. When referencing ACCSC’s recognition by the U.S. Department of Education, the following types of a statements may be used:

• The Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) is a recognized accrediting agency by the U.S. Department of Education.
• ACCSC is a recognized accrediting agency by the U.S. Department of Education.

8. An applicant institution seeking accreditation from ACCSC may not make any promotional use of its application for accreditation prior to a grant of accreditation or approval of a main school’s branch application, and may not use the ACCSC logo in any publication until the Commission has conferred accreditation.

9. When citing recognition as an ACCSC School of Distinction or an ACCSC School of Excellence in advertising, literature, or publications, the following types of references, or substantially similar, references may be used:

• [Institution Name] has been recognized by ACCSC as a [Year] ACCSC School of Distinction / ACCSC School of Excellence.
• ACCSC has recognized [Institution Name] as a [Year] ACCSC School of Distinction / ACCSC School of Excellence.
• [Institution Name] has fulfilled ACCSC’s requirements for institutions seeking [initial / renewal of] accreditation and has been recognized as a [Year] ACCSC School of Distinction / ACCSC School of Excellence.

Examples:

• Platt College has been recognized by ACCSC as a 2022 ACCSC School of Excellence Distinction.
• ACCSC has recognized Platt College as a 2022 ACCSC School of Excellence.
• The Accrediting Commission of Career School and Colleges has recognized Platt College as a 2022 ACCSC School of Excellence.
• Platt College has fulfilled ACCSC’s requirements for institutions seeking renewal of accreditation and has been recognized as a 2022 ACCSC School of Excellence.

Advertising on the College’s program website internal pages, in the College Catalog, and program promotional materials, including but not limited to postcards, billboards, newspaper, radio/TV ads must contain the following sentence:

For information on graduation rates, median debt of graduates completing this program and other important information, visit https://www.plattcolorado.edu.

The statement above must be listed word-for-word as written above in a reasonable size, simple font and in open, searchable and downloadable format. 

The gainful employment disclosure regulations require that all promotional materials for a program include the required information specified in the Department of Education regulations at 34 CFR 668.6(b)(1).  If the invitation, advertisement, or solicitation mentions or otherwise refers to a specific GE Program or programs, the disclosure information must be included whenever feasible.

If providing the information is not feasible because of the size or format of the invitation, advertisement, or solicitation, Platt College may display the URL or provide a live link to the webpage where the required information is located, with a clear explanation of the information that is available at that webpage.

For promotional materials that advertise more than one GE Program, Platt College has the option of (1) providing one link on the promotional material where prospective students can be redirected to a list of the web links for all of the GE Programs webpages,   or (2) providing a direct link for each program on the promotional material. This single webpage is in addition to the disclosure information placed on each programs web page.

* If permitted by applicable law.

† A school may use the term “University” in its name only when such use has been approved by the Commission and appropriate state authorities (Section IV (B)(3), Substantive Standards, Standards of Accreditation).