Educational Approval Program
This page is intended to describe the Educational Approval Program (EAP) and what it does. It does not supersede statutes or administrative rules in defining the roles and responsibilities of the DSPS and the EAP.
Welcome to the EAP
The Educational Approval Program, formerly the Wisconsin Educational Approval Board (EAB), is charged with the following responsibilities:
Evaluating and approving private, post-secondary, for profit, trade, technical, career, distance learning, and degree-granting schools.
Collecting and disseminating student outcome and satisfaction information from schools.
Performing annual reviews of schools.
Holding schools accountable for improving their performance and effectiveness.
Supporting options for innovative and quality programs offered by schools.
Information about the types of institutions the EAP does not regulate is available from a listing of exempt schools.
Our Mission Statement
To protect Wisconsin's consumers and support quality educational options.
Strategic Values & Goals
- Assure Wisconsin consumers that EAP-approved schools are well run, educationally sound, and financially stable.
- Protect consumers and help schools through regulatory enforcement and processes that are reasonable, consistent, firm, fair, and timely.
- Demonstrate a commitment to the private postsecondary education sector by supporting the success of students and schools.
- Regularly update and/or revise applicable statutes, administrative rules, and oversight policies and procedures to reflect changes in the career education sector.
Explore
- Use our improved school search tool to find an approved school.
- What types of schools are not subject to EAP approval.
- Learn the difference between state approval and accreditation.
- Contact our staff if you have any questions.
General Information
Student Resources
EAP School Resources
Contact The EAP
General questions and information about the EAP should be directed to:
Educational Approval Program - Department of Safety and Professional Services
4822 Madison Yards Way
Madison, WI 53705
Phone: (608) 266-2112, option 4
Fax: (608) 264-8477
Email: DSPSEAP@wisconsin.gov
Need to send mail to the EAP? Please send your mail to:
USPS
Educational Approval Program
P.O. Box 8935
Madison, WI 53708-8935
FedEx or UPS
Educational Approval Program - DSPS
4822 Madison Yards Way, 2nd Floor
Madison, WI 53705
Other Contacts
Please see the following chart for industry-specific agency referral:
Industry | Referral Agency | Website |
|---|---|---|
Accredited, Nonprofit institutions, Headquartered in Wisconsin | Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (WAICU) | |
Apprenticeship Programs | Department of Workforce Development (DWD) - Wisconsin Apprenticeship | |
Barbering Training Programs | Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) - Barbering Advisory Committee | https://dsps.wi.gov/Pages/BoardsCouncils/Barbering/Default.aspx |
Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) Training Programs | Department of Health Services (DHS) - Division of Quality Assurance, Nurse Aide Training, Testing and Registry | https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/caregiver/nurse-aide/index.htm |
Commercial Drivers License (CDL) Training Programs | Department of Transportation (DOT) - Driver Training Programs | https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/dmv/teen-driver/dr-trn-sch/driver-training-school.aspx |
Community-Based Care and Treatment (CBRF) Training Programs | Department of Health Services (DHS) and University of Wisconsin Green Bay | |
Cosmetology, Aesthetics, Manicuring, and Electrology Training Programs (not Massage) | Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) - Cosmetology Board | https://dsps.wi.gov/Pages/Professions/CosmetologySchool/Default.aspx |
Early Childhood Care Training Provider Training Programs | Department of Children and Families (DCF) - Licensed and Certified Child Care | |
Nursing Programs | Department of Safety and Professional Sevices (DSPS) - Board of Nursing | https://dsps.wi.gov/Pages/BoardsCouncils/Nursing/Default.aspx |
Public Schools - Kindergarten through 12th Grade | Department of Public Instruction (DPI) | |
Real Estate Training Programs | Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) - Real Estate Board | https://dsps.wi.gov/Pages/BoardsCouncils/RealEstate/Default.aspx |
ServSafe Food Handler Training & Food Safety Manager Training | Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection | https://datcp.wi.gov/Pages/Programs_Services/foodmanager.aspx |
Teacher Licensing Training Programs | Department of Public Instruction (DPI) - Licensing | |
Technical Colleges | Wisconsin Technical College | |
University of Wisconsin System | University of Wisconsin System | |
Veterinarian/Veterinarian Technician Training Programs | Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) - Veterinary Examining Board | https://datcp.wi.gov/Pages/About_Us/VeterinaryExaminingBoard.aspx |