Distance Education Complaints and State Authorizations
State Authorization for Distance Education
Brevard College offers distance education in accordance with the regulations of the United States Department of Education and the regulations of each state or territory.
The National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) aids in remedying inconsistencies among state regulations and aids in satisfying consistent customer protection by centralizing the authorization process. NC-SARA is a voluntary agreement among member states and U.S. territories that establishes comparable national standards for interstate offering of postsecondary distance education courses and programs. The intent is to make it easier for students to take online courses that are being offered by postsecondary institutions in other states. You can read more about NC-SARA here. Brevard College is a member of the State Authorization Reciprocal Agreement initiative (SARA). Verification of approval by SARA to offer online courses can be found by visiting the NC-SARA website. Information about State Authorization Liaisons Per State can be found here.
Student Academic Complaints, Grievances, and Grade Appeals
Distance Courses & Programs
The following policies and procedures are applicable to distance learning students with unresolved complaints about academic issues.
Students who have complaints, grievances, or grade appeals are encouraged to first attempt a resolution of the matter through discussions with their instructor. The appropriate contact information for course instructors can be found on the course’s syllabus, which is available via the course’s online Sakai site.
If students are unable to satisfactorily resolve the matter through discussing it with their course instructor, the next step is to formally submit the complaint, grievance, or grade appeal in writing using the Brevard College Distance Education Grievance Form (Linked here). Once this form submitted, it is automatically sent to the appropriate division chair for review. The division chair will make a decision about the grievance within 5 days of submission of the appeal.
If the student remains unsatisfied after the division chair makes a decision about the grievance, the student may make a final appeal to the Vice President of Academic Affairs (VPAA) through the appeal form (Linked here). The VPAA will contact the parties involved if additional information is needed. The VPAA will make a final decision, and the student, course instructor, and division chair will be notified in writing of this decision. The decision made by the VPAA will be final and not subject to additional appeal.
Inquiries about Brevard College’s Complaint Policy or Complaint Process can be directed to:
Joshua Wilkey
Associate Dean of Academic Affairs and Student Success
One Brevard College Drive
Brevard, NC 28712
828.641.0059
wilkeyjr@brevard.edu
NC Post-Secondary Education Complaint Procedures
If a complaint cannot be resolved through the College's complaint process, students may file a complaint with the North Carolina Post-Secondary Education Complaints unit. Please review the NC Post-Secondary Education Student Complaint Policy, print and complete the NC Post-Secondary Education Complaint Form, and submit the complaint to:
North Carolina Post-Secondary Education Complaints
c/o Student Complaints
223 S. West Street, Suite 1800
Raleigh, NC 27603
Phone: (919) 962-4550
Website: North Carolina Post-Secondary Education Complaints
SACSCOC Complaint Process and Information
Brevard College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
SACSCOC has a complaint process for the purpose of addressing any significant non-compliance with SACSCOC’s accreditation standards or policies. To file a formal complaint pertaining to significant, documented, alleged non-compliance with the SACSCOC accreditation standards, policies or procedures, complete the Commission’s Complaint Form and send two print copies to the President, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097. The telephone number for SACSCOC is 404-679-4500. To access the Commission’s complaint policy, procedures, and the Complaint Form, please see Complaint Procedures Against the Commission or Its Accredited Institutions (.pdf).
Please read the document carefully before submitting a complaint. SACSCOC's process is not intended to be used to involve SACSCOC in disputes between individuals and member institutions, or cause SACSCOC to interpose itself as a reviewing authority in individual matters of admission, grades, granting or transferability of credits, application of academic policies, fees or other financial matters, disciplinary matters, or contractual rights and obligations. SACSCOC does not seek redress on an individual’s behalf. Further, SACSCOC will not serve as a grievance panel when the outcome of institutional grievance or appeal processes is unsatisfactory to the complainant. SACSCOC expects individuals to attempt to resolve the issue through all means available to the complainant, including following the institution’s own published grievance procedures, before submitting a complaint to SACSCOC.
SARA-NC Complaint Process and Information
Students may also file a complaint through SARA-NC, which is the portal for North Carolina.
North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority
c/o SARA North Carolina
P.O. Box 41349
Raleigh, NC 27629
Telephone: (855) SARA-1-NC (727-2162)
Telephone: (919) 549-8614, ext. 4667
Email: complaint@saranc.org
Website: www.saranc.org
Professional Licensure and Certifications
Brevard College does not have any distance education programs that lead to professional licensure. Currently, the only on-campus education programs that lead to professional licensure are Education, Early Childhood Education, and Elementary Education, which prepare students for professional teacher licensure in one of several areas.
Please review the following disclosure for information about Brevard College's curriculum in relationship with meeting the educational requirements for licensure or certification in a given state:
Professional Licensure Disclosures
Brevard College's teaching education programs meet the state educational requirements for licensure or certification and are approved by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, making possible licensure reciprocity with 45 other states (listed below), as well as with the District of Columbia and Guam.
The following list contains determinations as to whether Brevard College's curriculum meets state educational requirements for teacher licensure or certification within a given state or US territory, vis-à-vis licensure reciprocity:
- Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming
For more information about state licensure boards and requirements, please see the document below: