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Statement of Accreditation Status

Pittsburgh Technical College

  • Phase: Formerly Accredited
  • Status: Approved Institutional Closure
  • Candidacy Granted: January 1, 1998
  • Accreditation Granted: March 6, 2002
  • Accreditation Ceased: August 9, 2024

Notification of Non-Compliance Action

On August 1, 2024, the Commission acted to note the institutional closure of Pittsburgh Technical College, effective June 27, 2024, the date that instruction ceased, with June 28, 2024, as the first full date of closure. The institution closed while on show cause. Accreditation for the institution and all of its locations ceased effective August 9, 2024. As of August 10, 2024, Pittsburgh Technical College is no longer accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education www.msche.org.

The Middle States Commission on Higher Education has approved teach-out agreements with (1) Carlow University, Pittsburgh, PA; (2) Community College of Allegheny County, Pittsburgh, PA; (3) Community College of Beaver County, Monaca, PA; (4) Penn Commercial Business Technical School, Washington, PA; (5) Point Park University, Pittsburgh, PA; (6) Thomas Edison State University, Trenton, NJ; and (7) Westmoreland County Community College, Youngwood, PA.

Students can obtain historical records and transcripts from Point Park University, 201 Wood Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222.

For more information, please refer to the Pittsburgh Technical College FAQ.
  • August 1, 2024
    Staff acted on behalf of the Commission to acknowledge receipt of the substantive change request. To include the institutional closure within the institution's scope of accreditation. To note the institution's decision to close while on show cause. To note the institution closed all locations on June 27, 2024. To acknowledge receipt of the institution's notification on July 8, 2024, regarding the status of the institution and verifying closure. To remind the institution of its obligation to inform the Commission immediately about any and all significant developments that may impact the institution's closure. To note that accreditation will cease on August 9, 2024. As of August 10, 2024, Pittsburgh Technical College will no longer be accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
  • August 1, 2024
    Staff acted on behalf of the Commission to acknowledge receipt of the teach-out plan and teach-out agreements requested by the Commission action of June 10, 2024. To approve the teach-out agreements with: (1) Carlow University, Pittsburgh, PA; (2) Community College of Allegheny County, Pittsburgh, PA; (3) Community College of Beaver County, Monaca, PA; (4) Penn Commercial Business Technical School, Washington, PA; (5) Point Park University, Pittsburgh, PA; (6) Thomas Edison State University, Trenton, NJ; and (7) Westmoreland County Community College, Youngwood, PA. To note that the institution closed effective June 27, 2024. To note that Point Park University, 201 Wood Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222 has been designated as the repository of all Pittsburgh Technical College student records. To note that the notification that student records were transferred to Point Park University was received on July 31, 2024.
  • June 26, 2024
    To note that accreditation will cease on August 9, 2024. As of August 10, 2024, Pittsburgh Technical College will no longer be accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
  • June 10, 2024
    Staff acted on behalf of the Commission to acknowledge receipt of the institution's notification on June 10, 2024, of its intention to cease instruction at all locations on June 27, 2024. To require that the institution submit a substantive change request for institutional closure by June 21, 2024, as required by the Commission's Substantive Change Policy, Procedures, and Guidelines. To note that the comprehensive, implementable teach-out plan and signed teach-out agreements are now due June 21, 2024. To remind the institution of its obligation to plan for orderly closure. To remind the institution of its obligation to inform the Commission of its status with local, state, and federal agencies and other relevant agencies, including programmatic accreditors. To remind the institution of its obligation to inform the Commission immediately about any and all significant developments relevant to this action. To note that the show cause report is no longer due because the institution is closing.
  • June 6, 2024
    To reject the teach-out plan requested by the Commission action of March 14, 2024, because the quality and substance of the teach-out plan were insufficient to permit Commission review. To require that the institution complete and submit for approval, by June 17, 2024, a comprehensive, implementable teach-out plan and signed teach-out agreements with appropriate teach-out partner institutions, including any documentation supporting the agreements, as soon as they become available (Teach-Out Plans and Agreements Policy and Procedures). In accordance with Commission policy and federal regulations, the teach-out plan must provide for the equitable treatment of students to complete their education or transfer to another institution, if the Commission were to withdraw accreditation. To note the Commission may reject the teach-out plan and require resubmission if all of the required information is not provided. To note that the institution is in danger of imminent closure. To remind the institution of its obligation to plan for orderly closure. To note the show cause action of June 6, 2024.
  • June 6, 2024
    To reject the supplemental information report requested by Commission action of May 22, 2024, because the report provided limited responses to requested information and did not present evidence and analysis in a manner conducive to Commission review. To note that resubmission of the supplemental information report is not required because the content will now be included in the show cause report. To note the show cause action of June 6, 2024.
  • June 6, 2024
    To acknowledge receipt of the monitoring report. To note the follow-up team visit by Commission representatives to the main campus at 1111 McKee Road, Oakdale, PA 15071 on May 16-17, 2024. To require the institution to show cause, by June 28, 2024, to demonstrate why its accreditation should not be withdrawn because of insufficient evidence that the institution is in compliance with Standard II (Ethics and Integrity), Standard VI (Planning, Resources, and Institutional Improvement), and Standard VII (Governance, Leadership, and Administration); and because the institution is in danger of imminent closure. To note that the institution remains accredited while on show cause. To note further that federal regulations limit the period during which an institution may be in non-compliance, which started on March 14, 2024. To require a show cause report, due June 28, 2024, documenting evidence that the institution has achieved and can sustain ongoing compliance with Commission standards for accreditation, requirements of affiliation, policies and procedures, and applicable federal regulatory requirements. The show cause report must include evidence that the institution has achieved and can sustain ongoing compliance with Standard II (Ethics and Integrity), Standard VI (Planning, Resources, and Institutional Improvement), and Standard VII (Governance, Leadership, and Administration), including but not limited to: (1) the manner in which policies, processes, and practices are implemented related to the institution's record of student, faculty, or staff complaints and resolution (Standard II); (2) a climate that fosters respect among students, faculty, staff, and administration from a range of diverse backgrounds, ideas, and perspectives (Standard II); (3) compliance with all applicable government laws and regulations and Commission policies and procedures (Standard II); (4) compliance with its program responsibilities under existing federal title IV and other state laws and regulations, including any audits of financial aid programs to verify compliance with the Pennsylvania Veterans Administration and the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) (Standard II and Standard VI); (5) documented financial resources, funding base, and plans for financial development adequate to support its educational purposes and programs and to ensure short and long-term financial sustainability (Standard VI); (6) fiscal and human resources adequate to support institutional operations including evidence of the current cash flow state and the institution's ability to meet current and future payroll obligations (Standard VI); (7) compliance with the conditions established by the offset payment agreement with the United States Department of Education (USDE) Office of Federal Student Aid (FSA) relating to the institution's Heightened Cash Monitoring (HCM2) status, including submission of signed copies of any agreements (Standard VI); and (8) a legally constituted governing body that oversees at the policy level assurance of strong fiscal management (Standard VII) (Fourteenth Edition and Evidence Expectations by Standard Guidelines). To request that the show cause report also include further evidence of (1) the institution's management of its loss of eligibility to participate in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA) and required approvals of distance education programs in accordance with individual states (Standard II); (2) the existence and status of any internal and external investigations (Standard II); (3) a copy of governing board bylaws (Standard VII); and (4) evidence of governing board reporting related to institutional finances, including copies of minutes for meetings held within the last year (Standard VII). To require that the institution complete and submit for approval, by June 17, 2024, a comprehensive, implementable teach-out plan and signed teach-out agreements with appropriate teach-out partner institutions, including any documentation supporting the agreements, as soon as they become available (Teach-Out Plans and Agreements Policy and Procedures). In accordance with Commission policy and federal regulations, the teach-out plan must provide for the equitable treatment of students to complete their education or transfer to another institution, if the Commission were to withdraw accreditation. To note the Commission may reject the teach-out plan and require resubmission if all of the required information is not provided. To direct an on-site show cause visit following submission of the report and the teach-out plan and teach-out agreements. The purpose of the on-site show cause visit is to verify the information provided in the show cause report and the institution's ongoing and sustainable compliance with Commission standards for accreditation, requirements of affiliation, policies and procedures, and applicable federal regulatory requirements. To direct a prompt Commission liaison guidance visit to discuss Commission expectations. To note that the institution will be invited to appear before the Commission when it meets to consider the institution's show cause report. To remind the institution of its obligation to make freely available to the Commission accurate, fair, and complete information on all aspects of the institution and its operations, including making institutional representatives and additional information available to the Commission representatives when requested (Accreditation Review Cycle and Monitoring Policy and Procedures). To remind the institution of its obligation to inform the Commission of its status with local, state, and federal agencies and other relevant agencies, including programmatic accreditors. To remind the institution that any form of retaliation against a complainant is strictly prohibited, even if the complaint is not substantiated following Commission review. The date of the next evaluation will be determined upon reaffirmation of accreditation. 
  • May 22, 2024
    Staff acted on behalf of the Commission to request a supplemental information report, due May 29, 2024, documenting evidence of (1) compliance with the conditions established in the letter from the United States Department of Education (USDE) Office of Federal Student Aid (FSA) dated May 8, 2024, and updated financial information detailing how the institution will meet the conditions of Heightened Cash Monitoring 2 (HCM2) (Standard VI); (2) the institution's plan to correct the provisional status of its participation in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) with the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) (Standard VI); and (3) an update on status of the institution (Fourteenth Edition and Evidence Expectations by Standard Guidelines). The date of the next evaluation will be determined upon reaffirmation of accreditation.
  • April 29, 2024
    To note that the Commission liaison guidance visit occurred on March 21, 2024. To remind the institution of the Commission's request of March 14, 2024 for a monitoring report due May 1, 2024. To note that the Self-Study Preparation Visit has been delayed due to the institution's noncompliance status. The date of the Self-Study Preparation and next evaluation visits will be determined upon reaffirmation of accreditation.
  • March 14, 2024
    To acknowledge receipt of the supplemental information report requested by the Commission action of December 18, 2023. To place the institution on probation and note that the institution's accreditation is in jeopardy because of insufficient evidence that the institution is currently in compliance with Standard II (Ethics and Integrity) and Standard VI (Resources, Planning, and Institutional Improvement). To note that the institution remains accredited while on probation. To note further that federal regulations limit the period during which an institution may be in non-compliance, which starts on March 14, 2024. To request a monitoring report, due May 1, 2024, demonstrating evidence that the institution has achieved and can sustain ongoing compliance with Standard II (Ethics and Integrity) and Standard VI (Resources, Planning, and Institutional Improvement), including but not limited to (1) evidence of the manner in which policies, processes, and practices are implemented related to the institution's record of student, faculty, or staff complaints and resolution for a four-year time period (Standard II); (2) a climate that fosters respect among students, faculty, staff, and administration from a range of diverse backgrounds, ideas, and perspectives (Standard II); (3) documented financial resources, funding base, and plans for financial development adequate to support its educational purposes and programs and to ensure financial stability (Standard VI); and (4) compliance with its program responsibilities under existing federal title IV and other state laws and regulations, including any audits of financial aid programs as required by federal and state regulations, compliance with the conditions established in the letter from the United States Department of Education (USDE) Office of Federal Student Aid (FSA) dated February 15, 2024, and updated financial information relating to the institution's Heightened Cash Monitoring status (Standard VI) (Fourteenth Edition and Evidence Expectations by Standard Guidelines). To request that the monitoring report also include further evidence of a legally constituted governing body that oversees at the policy level the quality of teaching and learning, the approval of degree programs and the awarding of degrees, the establishment of personnel policies and procedures, the approval of policies and by-laws, and the assurance of strong fiscal management (Standard VII). To require that the institution complete and submit for approval, by May 1, 2024, a comprehensive, implementable teach-out plan and signed teach-out agreements with appropriate teach-out partner institutions (Teach-Out Plans and Agreements Policy and Procedures). In accordance with Commission policy and federal regulations, the teach-out plan must provide for the equitable treatment of students to complete their education, if the Commission were to withdraw accreditation, and include any teach-out agreements that the institution has entered into or intends to enter into with another institution. To note the Commission may reject the teach-out and require resubmission if all of the required information is not provided. To direct a prompt Commission Liaison Guidance Visit to discuss the Commission's expectations. To direct a follow-up team visit following submission of the monitoring report. The date of the next evaluation will be determined upon reaffirmation of accreditation.
  • December 18, 2023
    Staff acted on behalf of the Commission to request a supplemental information report, due January 5, 2024, documenting the reasons the institution failed to comply with all applicable Commission policies and regulations, including the timely submission of the required supplemental information report, due November 15, 2023 (Standard II, Accreditation Actions Policies and Procedures, and Accreditation Review Cycle and Monitoring Policies and Procedures). To request that the supplemental information report also provide additional information on Standard II: Ethics and Integrity; Standard VI: Planning, Resources, and Institutional Improvement; and Standard VII: Governance, Leadership, and Administration. To remind the institution of its obligation to make freely available to the Commission accurate, fair, and complete information on all aspects of the institution and its operations (Standard VII). To require immediate notification to the Commission of any changes to the status of the institution. The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2025-2026.
  • October 31, 2023
    Staff acted on behalf of the Commission to request a supplemental information report, due November 15, 2023, that provides additional information on Standard II: Ethics and Integrity; Standard VI: Planning, Resources, and Institutional Improvement; and Standard VII: Governance, Leadership, and Administration. To remind the institution of its obligation to inform the Commission immediately about any and all significant developments relevant to this action (Standard VII). The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2025-2026. 
  • August 24, 2023
    To acknowledge receipt of the request for prior approval for the aggregate change of 25% or more of a program. To include the aggregate change of 37% in the Culinary Arts certificate program within the institution's scope of accreditation. To note that the Commission reserves the right to rescind this action if any developments reveal additional information that might have affected the Commission's decision and/or the requested substantive change is not implemented within one calendar year from the date of this action. The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2025-2026.
  • June 27, 2019
    To acknowledge receipt of the monitoring report. The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2025-2026.
  • July 3, 2017
    To note that the update and site visit regarding the Change in Ownership and Legal Status occurred during the Evaluation Team Visit.
  • June 22, 2017
    To reaffirm accreditation. To request a monitoring report, due April 1, 2019 providing evidence of organized and systematic assessments which evaluate the extent of student achievement of institutional and program level goals, communicates the results of those assessments to stakeholders, and uses the results for the improvement of educational effectiveness (Standard V). The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2025-2026.
  • June 23, 2016
    To acknowledge receipt of the complex substantive change request. To provisionally include the change in ownership with a 501(c)(3) a nonprofit corporation, the Center for Educational Excellence, Inc. (CEE), as the new owner, within the scope of the institution's accreditation pending (1) the receipt of all necessary completely executed documents required to ensure the conversion from for-profit to non-profit status, including but not limited to loan agreements in amounts sufficient to cover financial obligations incurred, including the sufficient funds to cover the letter of credit required by the US Department of Education, and IRS approval designating the institution as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit; and (2) a site visit within six months of the effective date of the completed change in ownership and legal status. The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2016-2017.
  • June 1, 2016
    To acknowledge receipt of documentation of approval from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Education and to include the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) and the Bachelor of Science in Information Systems and Technology (BSIST) within the scope of the institution's accreditation.
  • February 29, 2016
    To acknowledge receipt of the substantive change request. To include the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) and the Bachelor of Science in Information Systems and Technology (BSIST) within the scope of the institution's accreditation to be effective upon receipt of state approval. The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2016-2017.
  • January 2, 2014
    To acknowledge receipt of the substantive change request. To note the institution's decision to close its additional location at Regional Learning Alliance, 850 Cranberry Woods Drive, Cranberry Township, PA 16066 effective January 31, 2014. The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2016-2017.
  • November 21, 2013
    To accept the progress report. The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2016-2017.
  • September 3, 2013
    To acknowledge receipt of the substantive change request. To note the institution's decision to close its additional location at Parkway West Career and Technical School, 7101 Steubenville Pike, Oakdale, PA 15071. The Commission requires notification within thirty days of the closure of this additional location. To remind the institution of the request for a progress report, due October 1, 2013, documenting evidence of (1) further development and implementation of the institution's process for the assessment of institutional effectiveness (Standard 7) and (2) further development and implementation of the institution's academic program review process (Standard 11). The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2016-2017.
  • November 15, 2012
    To accept the Periodic Review Report, to commend the institution for the quality of the report, and to reaffirm accreditation. To request a progress report, due October 1, 2013, documenting evidence of (1) further development and implementation of the institution's process for the assessment of institutional effectiveness (Standard 7) and (2) further development and implementation of the institution's academic program review process (Standard 11). The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2016-17.
  • January 3, 2011
    To acknowledge receipt of the substantive change request and to include the online Associate's degrees in Business Administration, Hospitality Management Administration, and Safety and Security Administration within the scope of the institution's accreditation. To remind the institution of the request to submit documentation, as soon as available, of approval by the Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Education of the institution's amended and restated bylaws. To further remind the institution that the Commission previously requested that the Periodic Review Report due June 1, 2012 address progress in the development of student support and the administration of the online certificate program in Medical Coding (Standards 9 and 13).
  • November 18, 2010
    To note the visit by the Commission’s representative and to acknowledge receipt of required Federal and state approvals of the change of ownership. To remind the institution of the request to submit documentation, as soon as available, of approval by the Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Education of the institution's amended and restated bylaws. To further remind the institution that the Commission previously requested that the Periodic Review Report due June 1, 2012 address progress in the development of student support and the administration of the online certificate program in Medical Coding (Standards 9 and 13).