Moving education forward, with recognition
Maestro College is accredited by the Council on Occupational Education (COE) and is recognized by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.
Licensing and regulatory approvals
Texas Workforce Commission (TWC)
Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB)
National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA)
NC-SARA Provisional Participation Disclosure
State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA)
Maestro College participates in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) through the Texas State Portal Entity.
Effective July 2026, Maestro College’s participation in NC-SARA is designated as Provisional.
The reason for this designation is that Maestro College was subject to a Show Cause Order issued on June 4, 2026 by its institutional accrediting agency, the Council on Occupational Education (COE).
This provisional designation does not terminate Maestro College’s participation in NC-SARA and does not affect the institution’s ability to operate under SARA at this time. The designation reflects NC-SARA’s requirement that institutions meeting certain regulatory criteria disclose their provisional participation status.
Maestro College remains accredited by the Council on Occupational Education while its appeal is pending, and continues to work cooperatively with its accreditor and applicable regulatory agencies. This provisional designation applies through the end of the teach-out period.
Additional information regarding NC-SARA and student complaint processes is available through the NC-SARA website and the Texas State Portal Entity.
Accreditation
Council on Occupational Education (COE)
Accreditation and the teach-out
The Council on Occupational Education (COE) requires that at least 25% of an institution’s enrollment be in traditional, in-person instruction. Most Maestro College students study online. COE’s formal citation concerned this eligibility requirement. Regardless of the outcome of the appeal, students who complete their programs by June 30, 2027 under the COE-approved teach-out plan will graduate from an accredited institution.
In June 2026, COE removed the College from Probation and Warning related to finances and student outcomes. Other items raised during COE’s April 2026 visit were addressed as follows:
- Student support: Student Services staff can be reached through the Student Portal, by email or by phone. Academic, financial aid, grievance and disability requests are handled by College staff.
- Grading and proctoring: explained to every student before classes start, with timely access to grades.
- Student complaints: resolved through our complaint process.
- Teach-out: COE approved our plan on September 18, 2026. Every enrolled student has a path to finish: graduate by June 30, 2027, or transfer. The College will remain open after the teach-out, offering seminars and other programs.
- Spring 2025Maestro College opens its new degree programs.
- June 2026New student enrollment is suspended.
- July 13, 2026COE votes to drop Maestro from accredited status, effective October 13. The College is appealing this decision.
- September 18, 2026COE approves our teach-out plan through June 30, 2027.
- October 13, 2026The teach-out period begins: enrolled students continue toward graduation while Maestro College remains accredited by COE. We voluntarily withdraw from the Federal Direct Loan Program and all federal student aid; the College covers the full tuition of every eligible current degree student.
- June 2027The teach-out period ends. Maestro College remains open, offering seminars and other programs.
Accreditation Update
Accreditation status:Teach-out (approved September 18, 2026)
Student, Prospective Student, Employee, and Public Notification
This notice serves as Maestro College’s official disclosure of an accreditation action taken by the Council on Occupational Education (COE), the College’s institutional accreditor, as required under 34 C.F.R. § 602.26(b) and COE policy.
On July 13, 2026, the COE Executive Committee voted to change Maestro College’s status from Show Cause Order to Dropped from Accredited Status, with an effective date of October 13, 2026. Maestro College received written notification of this action on July 14, 2026. The College is appealing this decision and remains accredited by COE while the appeal is pending.
COE determined that Maestro College did not meet the eligibility requirement that accredited institutions “utilize a campus-based instructional delivery system with at least 25% of the institution’s total Full-Time Equivalency (FTE) derived from enrollments in traditional (bricks and mortar) instruction” (COE Handbook of Accreditation, 2026 Edition, p. 7). COE concluded that the proportion of the College’s enrollment attributable to distance education exceeded the allowable threshold established by this standard.
Teach-Out Plan Update
Posted September 18, 2026
The Council on Occupational Education (COE) has approved Maestro College’s accredited teach-out plan through June 30, 2027.
In plain terms: this approval covers your ability to finish your program and graduate from an accredited institution, regardless of the outcome of the appeal. It does not mean the College’s other accreditation matters are resolved. The accreditation extension applies specifically to the approved teach-out process and should not be interpreted as a resolution of the College’s separate eligibility or accreditation concerns.
What this means for students
Regardless of the outcome of the appeal, students who complete their programs by June 30, 2027 under the COE-approved teach-out plan will graduate from an accredited institution.
Maestro College will remain open after June 30, 2027, offering seminars and other programs, and will continue to provide records, graduate support, and other services.
Finishing on time
The College works with each student on an individual plan to complete their degree within the available time, based on their program, cohort, academic standing, and anticipated completion date. Starting next semester, eligible students may be able to take courses at an accelerated pace in order to complete their program before June 30, 2027. Students are contacted directly regarding their completion or transfer options, including whether an accelerated schedule applies to them.
Transfer options
The College has an approved teach-out agreement with Columbia College for students who prefer to transfer. Additional transfer options are being developed, and students will be informed as agreements are finalized and approved. Transfer institutions make the final determination regarding the acceptance and application of individual credits.
Federal Student Aid (Title IV)
Effective October 13, 2026, Maestro College voluntarily withdrew from participation in all Title IV federal student aid programs. The College no longer offers federal student aid, including Federal Direct Loans. Following the College’s voluntary withdrawal from federal student aid on October 13, 2026, the full tuition of every eligible current degree student is covered by the College-funded Maestro Pro Scholarship, with no federal or state aid. Students with existing federal loans may visit StudentAid.gov to review their loan information and repayment resources.
Current Operations
- Classes continue as scheduled for currently enrolled students.
- Academic support and student services remain fully available.
- New student enrollment remains suspended at this time.
Additional updates will be communicated as they become available.
For more information, see our Student FAQ: Student FAQ: Accreditation Update
Questions regarding this notice may be directed to:
Shakeitha SimsCampus President
Maestro College
ssims@maestrocollege.edu
10830 N. Central Expressway, Suite 252
Dallas, Texas 75231
FAQs
What is Maestro College’s accreditation status?
Under COE’s current decision, Maestro College’s status is dropped from Accredited Status. The College is appealing this decision and remains accredited by COE while the appeal is pending. COE approved our teach-out plan on September 18, 2026. Regardless of the outcome of the appeal, students who complete their programs by June 30, 2027 under the COE-approved teach-out plan will graduate from an accredited institution. New student enrollment remains suspended.
Will my degree be recognized?
Regardless of the outcome of the appeal, students who complete their programs by June 30, 2027 under the COE-approved teach-out plan will graduate from an accredited institution. If you transfer, the receiving college decides which credits it accepts; we have teach-out and transfer agreements with Columbia College and Davenport University. Employers and other schools can verify your degree and transcript with the College at any time, including after June 30, 2027.
Is Maestro College still open?
Yes. Classes continue as scheduled for currently enrolled students, and academic support and student services remain fully available. New student enrollment is suspended.
What is the teach-out plan?
A plan approved by the Council on Occupational Education (COE) that allows enrolled students to finish their program and graduate from an accredited institution by June 30, 2027, regardless of the outcome of the appeal.
Can I still graduate with an accredited degree?
Regardless of the outcome of the appeal, students who complete their programs by June 30, 2027 under the COE-approved teach-out plan will graduate from an accredited institution.
How do I finish in time?
The college works with each student on an individual plan based on program, cohort, academic standing and anticipated completion date. Eligible students may take courses at an accelerated pace. Students are contacted directly about their options.
Can I transfer instead?
Yes. The college has an approved teach-out agreement with Columbia College, which gives credit for all prior Maestro work plus a 15% tuition discount. Davenport University accepts all credits earned with a C or better that apply to your program, and out-of-state online students receive a 32% tuition grant. The receiving institution makes the final decision on how credits apply.
What happened to federal Direct Loans?
Effective October 13, 2026, Maestro College voluntarily withdrew from all federal student aid programs, including the Federal Direct Loan Program. Since then, the full tuition of every eligible current degree student is covered by the College-funded Maestro Pro Scholarship, with no federal or state aid.
What happens to my records after June 30, 2027?
Maestro College will remain open after June 30, 2027, offering seminars and other programs, and will continue to provide records, transcripts, graduate support and other services.
Who do I contact with questions?
For questions about your studies, financial aid, records or technical support, contact Student Services through the Student Portal, at contact@maestrocollege.edu or at (214) 871-0302.