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New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey

New Jersey

Getting State Approval in New Jersey

As the top state in the nation for higher education, New Jersey offers excellent opportunities for those wishing to open their own college or university. However, it is important to understand the regulations and requirements that must be met in order to obtain state approval.

In this guide, we will outline the steps necessary to submit a licensure petition for openng a university or college in New Jersey.

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Before You Begin: Understanding the Requirements

  • Institutions that wish to provide credit courses in New Jersey must submit a Licensure Petition to the Licensure Office of the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education.
  • Petitions must be submitted electronically as a single document.
  • After submitting the petition, a review will start. This will include visits from both the Licensure Office and the New Jersey Presidents' Council (NJPC).
  • Upon approval, you will get a formal letter from the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education.

Submission Guidelines

  • Submit all petitions to:  licensure.highereducation@oshe.nj.gov.
  • A fee of $500 must be submitted with each Licensure Petition.
  • An original signature is required on all petitions – scanned/electronic versions will not be accepted.

Timeframe & Decision Letter

  • Allow at least 90 days for the review to be completed after submitting the Licensure Petition.
  • The Office of the Secretary of Higher Education will respond via email or mail with a decision letter regarding your petition.
  • Follow up promptly if you haven’t received a response within three months.

Appeals Process

  • An institution can appeal a decision made by The Licensure Office to The Secretary of Higher Education.
  • Appeal letters must include detailed information and be addressed to The Director of The Licensure Office at OSHE.
  • All appeals must be received within 15 business days of receipt of petition's denial letter .

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Step 1: Prepare and Submit a Petition

  1. Gather all required documents, such as college catalogs and institutional policies.
  2. Fill out the Institution Information Sheet, available at https://www.nj.gov/highereducation/licensure/forms.shtml .
  3. Write an executive summary at the beginning of the petition according to guidelines provided by OSHE.
  4. Submit the petition document via email (Licensure.HigherEducation@oshe.nj.gov ) or an electronic document transfer service such as DropBox or Google Docs, ensuring that all links working and launch appropriately and accurately.
  5. Include a table of contents in the document and make sure it's navigable and searchable for ease of use.

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Step 2: Pay the Application Fee

  1. Download and fill out the Licensure Petition Fee Memo and Licensure Check Information Sheet from https://www.nj.gov/highereducation/licensure/forms.shtml .
  2. Pay the fee within the next business day to::

Office of the Secretary of Higher Education (OSHE)

Attn: Licensure

1 John Fitch Plaza, 10th Floor

Trenton, NJ 08625

     3. Once approved, OSHE will be sending confirmation via email to contact named in memo template.

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Note: If OSHE does not receive the appropriate submission fee within ten (10) days of the submission of the petition, it will be rejected and returned to sender without being considered complete.

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Step 3: Complete the 30-Day Comment Period for Review

After the notice is publicly issued, a 30-day comment period begins. During this time, New Jersey institutions of higher education can submit comments to OSHE regarding the petition.

Responding to Comments

At the end of the 30-day comment period, OSHE will provide all comments received to the petitioning institution. The petitioning institution will then have an opportunity to respond to those comments.

Submit Final Proposal (if Necessary)

After responding to the comments, the petitioning institution must submit a final proposal to OSHE. This proposal must include any changes made in response to the comments received during the comment period.

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Step 4: Coordinate with a Consultant and Arrange a Site Visit

Next, you must consult with OSHE to arrange a site visit. You need to coordinate with a consultant to ensure that the visit meets all necessary requirements.

Identify Potential External Consultants from Outside New Jersey

OSHE may require that you identify potential external consultants from outside New Jersey who can provide feedback and guidance during the review process. After hiring a consultant, submit the consultant's CV to OSHE for approval. Once approved, agree on dates for the site visit.

Arranging the Site Visit

Here are the steps you need to take to arrange the site visit:

  • Execute an MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) between the institution, OSHE, and the consultants that will govern the site visit.
  • Develop an agenda for the site visit in collaboration with OSHE staff.
  • Assist consultants and agency staff with travel and lodging arrangements.
  • Conduct the site visit at the proposed campus or instructional site.

Two to three weeks after the site visit, the consultants must submit a combined report to OSHE with recommendations regarding the petition. OSHE will then forward the report to you and provide an opportunity for you to submit a response.

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Step 5: Work out The Final Details and Wait for Oshe Approval

OSHE will submit your petition as well as supporting documents to the New Jersey Presidents' Council (NJPC) for review.

You may monitor the status of your petition online by periodically checking the NJPC website or emailing the office with any updates or questions.

Once the review is completed, the NJPC will make a recommendation to OSHE regarding your petition. Depending on the council's recommendation, OSHE may require additional assessments or documents from the institution.

Once all requirements have been met and your petition is approved by OSHE, you will receive a final approval letter. Your institution will then be authorized to offer the program for which the petition was filed.

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Closing Words

We hope that this guide has been helpful in understanding the process of submitting a petition to OSHE. If you have any further questions, please reach out to me and my team OSHE for your licensing needs. Email or call us to get a free consultation today!

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