National Council of Private University Higher Education

Overview

The Consejo Nacional de Enseñanza Superior Universitaria Privada (CONESUP), translated as the National Council of Private University Higher Education, is the statutory authority in Costa Rica responsible for authorising, regulating, inspecting and overseeing all private universities and related higher‑education programs. It functions as an organo desconcentrado del Ministerio de Educación Pública (MEP), with final decision‑making power over legal operation and academic validation of private tertiary providers. According to uniRank, CONESUP plays a pivotal role in guaranteeing that private universities comply with national legal and academic standards.

History and Legal Framework

CONESUP was established by Law No. 6693 of 27 November 1981 (published 21 December 1981), following an initiative by the National Council of Rectors (CONARE) to standardise the functioning of private higher‐education institutions. Created as a maximum‐authority decentralised body attached to the MEP, CONESUP’s legal mandate and authority are set by Law 6693 and complemented by Executive Decrees including No. 29631‑MEP (Reglamento General) and Decree No. 35941‑MEP (estructura de la Secretaría Técnica).

Mission, Vision and Objectives

Mission: to serve as the regulatory and supervisory body for private university higher education in Costa Rica, ensuring high academic and legal standards in institutional operations.

Vision: to be recognised for efficient, transparent and quality administration that fosters the development and equitable expansion of the private tertiary education sector.

• Authorise the establishment of private universities, their statutes, campuses, academic programmes and faculty appointments.
• Ensure compliance with infrastructure, administrative, financial, curriculum and governance standards.
• Conduct inspections and audits to enforce academic integrity and prevent irregularities.
• Register academic titles issued by private universities, following notarial declaration by the rector.
• Regulate institutional fees and propose official tariff structures under legislative frameworks.

Governance, Structure and Independence

CONESUP is chaired by the Minister of Public Education and includes representatives nominated by:

• CONARE (public university system)
• the collective of private universities
• MIDEPLAN (planning authority)
• the Federación de Colegios Profesionales Universitarios (professional colleges federation)

The council elects a vice‐president from among its members. Operational duties are executed by an Executive Directorate supported by a Secretaría Técnica (including departments for technical and curriculum analysis, inspections, legal advisory and acts). Though attached to the MEP, CONESUP operates with administrative autonomy and exercises determinations independently, grounded in its legal mandate through an explicitly defined organisational structure.

Accreditation and Quality Evaluation Role in Higher Education

CONESUP’s authority is limited to legal authorisation and regulatory oversight—it does not conduct academic accreditation or impact academic quality evaluation. Instead:

• It grants legal approval for private universities to operate and ensures that study plans meet national criteria (known as “autorización y aprobación de carreras”).
• It inspects and evaluates the institutional operations of private universities to ensure adherence to Law 6693 and its regulations.
• Title registration is mandatory for graduates of authorised programmes; CONESUP can suspend or revoke recognition if legal requirements are unmet.
• Academic accreditation is voluntary and managed separately by SINAES—CONESUP recommends but does not influence academic accreditation status.

Based on uniRank research, while CONESUP confers legal validity, it is SINAES accreditation that serves as the recognised benchmark of academic quality in Costa Rica.

International Cooperation and Network Memberships

CONESUP does not hold formal membership in international accreditation networks. Its international cooperation mainly occurs through inter‑agency coordination in policymaking and quality assurance frameworks, including:

• Collaboration with SINAES and MEP on cross-sector regulatory alignment.
• Participation in interinstitutional projects—such as the National Qualifications Framework for Education (MNC‑CE‑CR)—alongside MEP, CONARE and UNESCO‑IESALC.
• Indirect engagement in internationalisation initiatives via Costa Rican universities’ participation in global education forums.

Current or Future Impact on Higher Education

CONESUP continues to shape the private tertiary sector by:

• Ensuring legal and academic legitimacy of private universities, which underpins public trust and institutional accountability.
• Serving as the first regulatory checkpoint for new academic offerings—including virtual modalities introduced under updated decrees in 2010.
• Influencing private sector growth through oversight of fee structures and programme expansion.
• Contributing to future quality‑enhancement initiatives by encouraging self-evaluation and voluntary accreditation via SINAES.

Ongoing legislative reforms (notably the legislature’s consideration of updating Law 6693 in recent years) may grant CONESUP stronger enforcement powers and establish clearer frameworks for accreditation alignment with national qualifications and lifelong learning strategies.

Summary

The Consejo Nacional de Enseñanza Superior Universitaria Privada is the statutory regulator of private university higher education in Costa Rica. Established in 1981 under Law 6693 and functioning under the MEP, it authorises new institutions, approves academic programmes and carries out inspection and title registration duties. Though it does not grant academic accreditation, its regulatory framework ensures legal compliance and baseline institutional integrity. CONESUP plays a key role in shaping the private tertiary education environment and supporting broader quality assurance through coordination with SINAES and educational stakeholders.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• What is CONESUP?
  

  CONESUP is Costa Rica’s National Council governing private university higher education—authorising institutions, overseeing academic legality and registering degrees.

• When was CONESUP created?
  

  It was created by Law No. 6693 on 27 November 1981, following a proposal by CONARE and began operations shortly after publication in December 1981.

• Does CONESUP accredit academic programmes?
  

  No—CONESUP provides legal authorisation and supervision; academic quality accreditation is voluntary and managed by SINAES.

• Is accreditation mandatory for private universities?
  

  No—legal operation requires CONESUP approval, but academic accreditation through SINAES is optional and not mandatory by law.

• How is CONESUP structured?
  

  The Council is chaired by the Minister of Education and includes representatives from CONARE, private universities, planning authorities and professional associations; execution is handled by an Executive Directorate and Technical Secretariat.

• What happens if a private university fails to comply?
  

  CONESUP may suspend or revoke legal recognition, inspect campuses, deny career approvals and withhold title registration if the university does not meet statutory requirements.

• How does CONESUP relate to SINAES?
  

  CONESUP ensures legal legitimacy and baseline compliance; SINAES provides voluntary academic accreditation that signals higher quality—both operate in partnership to advance institutional transparency and standards.

• Are there plans to reform CONESUP’s mandate?
  

  Yes—legislative revisions have been proposed to modernise Law 6693, enhance inspection capacity and strengthen the council’s role in quality alignment and consumer protection.

Organization Name

National Council of Private University Higher Education
Consejo Nacional de Enseñanza Superior Universitaria Privada

Acronym

CONESUP

Year of Establishment

1981

Control Type

Public

Entity Type

Non-Profit

Geo Focus and Coverage

National

Recognized by

n.a.

Affiliations or Memberships

n.a.

Number of Member Universities or Accredited Institutions

n.a.

Address

VII piso, edificio Raventós, Avenida 0 y 2, calle 6, costado sur del Mercado Central
San José
San José Costa Rica

Phone

+506 2221 4465

Fax

+506 2258 3101

n.a.

Official Social Media Channels

Facebook

Not available

X (Twitter)

Not available

LinkedIn

Not available

YouTube

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Instagram

Not available

Wikipedia Article

Not available

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