Sec. 184a.
(1) An ecclesiastical corporation that meets all of the following criteria may organize and operate a religious college under this section:
(a) The ecclesiastical corporation was incorporated under this act before January 1, 2007.
(b) At the time it organizes the religious college, according to the most recent federal decennial census, the ecclesiastical corporation is located in a county with a population of more than 17,500 and fewer than 23,500 residents.
(2) A religious college organized and operated under this section must meet all of the following criteria:
(a) The religious college is organized and operated by an ecclesiastical corporation as a division of the ecclesiastical corporation and is not separately incorporated.
(b) The religious college began operating before January 1, 2007.
(c) The ecclesiastical corporation retains control of the religious college for denominational purposes.
(d) The religious college has an academic advisory board to assist the religious college in the development of its educational programs. The board shall consist of at least 4 individuals, appointed by the ecclesiastical corporation, who represent similar religious colleges located in the United States.
(e) The religious college offers postsecondary educational programs that are solely designed for, directed toward, and attended by students who seek to learn the particular religious faith or beliefs of the ecclesiastical corporation.
(f) The sole purposes of the educational programs of the religious college are to prepare students for ordination or appointment as a member of the clergy of a church, denomination, or religious association, order, or sect or to enter into other vocations directly related to the particular faith of the ecclesiastical corporation.
(g) The religious college does not offer general or liberal arts educational programs or any other postsecondary educational programs other than those described in this subsection.
(3) All of the following apply to the name of a religious college organized and operated by an ecclesiastical corporation under this section:
(a) The ecclesiastical corporation may use the word "college" in the name of the religious college. However, immediately following the name of the religious college, the ecclesiastical corporation shall clearly and prominently indicate on any signs, official school publications, letterhead, business cards, websites, or other similar written documents that include the name of the religious college that the religious college is a division of the ecclesiastical corporation.
(b) If the ecclesiastical corporation uses the word "college" in the name of the religious college, it shall provide a copy of each certificate of assumed name filed by the ecclesiastical corporation with the department of labor and economic growth for the name of the religious college to the bureau of career education within the department of labor and economic growth.
(4) Subject to subsection (5), a religious college may award 1 of the following degrees to a student of the religious college who satisfactorily completes a course of study prescribed by the ecclesiastical corporation for that degree:
(a) If the course of study requires at least 60 semester hours or equivalent of study, an associate of biblical studies, an associate of religious studies, an associate of theology, an associate of church administration, or another substantially similar associate degree that does not include the word "arts", "science", "business", or "applied".
(b) If the course of study requires at least 120 semester hours or equivalent of study, a bachelor of biblical studies, a bachelor of religious studies, a bachelor of theology, or another substantially similar bachelor's degree that does not include the word "arts", "science", "business", or "applied".
(c) If the course of study requires a bachelor's degree and at least 30 additional semester hours or equivalent of study, a master of theology, a master of biblical studies, a master of religious studies, or another substantially similar master's degree that does not include the word "arts", "science", "business", or "applied".
(d) If the course of study requires a bachelor's degree and at least 90 additional semester hours or equivalent of study, including, but not limited to, dissertation credits or research study, a doctor of theology, a doctor of biblical studies, a doctor of religious studies, or another substantially similar doctoral degree that does not include the word "arts", "science", "business", or "applied".
(5) A religious college shall clearly and prominently state all of the following on a student's diploma, certificate of graduation, transcript, or any other document prepared by or provided by the religious college to establish or verify that the student had attended the religious college or completed a course of study at the religious college:
(a) For a degree awarded by the religious college, the name of the degree, including the religious limitation on that degree required under subsection (4). A religious limitation required for a degree title under subsection (4) shall immediately precede or be part of the degree title wherever the degree title appears in the diploma or other document.
(b) That the religious college is not licensed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by the state of Michigan.
(c) For any document described in this subsection other than a diploma, that the state of Michigan does not guarantee that any of the degrees or credits granted by the religious college will be recognized by any organization for any purpose.
(6) A diploma, certificate of graduation, or other evidence of attendance at a religious college entitles the lawful recipient to all the privileges and immunities that by custom or usage are allowed to holders of similar diplomas or certificates granted by similar institutions in this country. However, if an occupation or profession is regulated by statute as to the requirements and qualifications necessary to the practice of that occupation or profession, the diploma or certificate of graduation does not entitle the recipient to any privilege or immunity if those statutory requirements or qualifications are not complied with.
(7) An ecclesiastical corporation is not required to obtain the approval of or a license from the department of labor and economic growth to operate a religious college under this section in this state and the operation of the religious college and its educational programs are not subject to the supervision of that department. However, if an ecclesiastical corporation does not obtain the approval of or a license from the department of labor and economic growth to operate a religious college, the ecclesiastical corporation shall clearly and prominently print a disclaimer on all of its application materials, course catalogs, brochures, websites, and other similar publications that states all of the following:
(a) The religious college is a division of the ecclesiastical corporation.
(b) The educational programs offered by the religious college are solely designed for, directed toward, and attended by students preparing for ordination or appointment as a member of the clergy of a church, denomination, or religious association, order, or sect or preparing to enter into another vocation directly related to the particular faith of the ecclesiastical corporation.
(c) The religious college is not licensed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by the state of Michigan and that the state of Michigan does not guarantee that any of the degrees or credits granted by the religious college will be recognized by any organization for any purpose.
(8) In any application materials, course catalogs, brochures, websites, or other publications made available by the religious college, the religious college shall include the religious limitation on that degree required under subsection (4), either immediately preceding or as part of the degree title, wherever the degree title appears in the document or publication.
(9) Every 2 years, an ecclesiastical corporation organizing or operating a religious college shall submit a sworn affidavit to the department of labor and economic growth that certifies that the religious college complies with the requirements of this section and includes all of the following:
(a) The name of the religious college. The name stated in the affidavit must comply with subsection (3).
(b) A statement that the religious college offers only educational programs designed for, directed toward, and attended by students preparing for ordination or appointment as a member of the clergy of a church, denomination, or religious association, order, sect, or preparing to enter into another vocation directly related to the particular faith of the ecclesiastical corporation.
(c) A statement that each diploma, certificate of graduation, transcript, or other document described in subsection (5) prepared or provided by the religious college complies with that subsection.
(d) A statement that each document provided or publication made available by the religious college under subsection (8) complies with that subsection.
(e) A statement that the religious college does not accept state or federal assistance for its educational programs and does not accept students who are receiving state or federal financial aid under any higher education loan, grant, or scholarship program.
(10) An ecclesiastical corporation organizing or operating a religious college shall annually provide the department with a surety bond that meets all of the following:
(a) It is conditioned to provide indemnification to any student suffering loss because of inability to complete an educational program at the religious college due to the closing of the religious college.
(b) It expires on June 30 following the date of issuance and the ecclesiastical corporation shall submit proof of renewal for an additional 1-year period to the department of labor and economic growth before the date of expiration.
(c) The amount of the security bond is 1 of the following, whichever is higher:
(i) An amount determined by multiplying the number of students enrolled in the religious college by $200.00.
(ii) The amount of $5,000.00.
(11) An ecclesiastical corporation operating a religious college that is in compliance with the requirements of this section is authorized to conduct business as a religious college and offer postsecondary educational programs in this state.
History: Add. 2006, Act 420, Imd. Eff. Sept. 29, 2006
Compiler's Notes: For transfer of powers and duties regarding organization and operation of religious college by ecclesiastic corporation from Michigan strategic fund to department of licensing and regulatory affairs, see E.R.O. No. 2012-4, compiled at MCL 125.1994.