Online Learning State Authorization and Student Complaint Resolution
State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement: North Carolina (NCSARA)
Central Piedmont is a member of the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NCSARA) which allows students to enroll in online distance education classes from most of the United States and several territories. The State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) is an agreement among member states, districts, and territories that establishes comparable national standards for interstate offering of post-secondary distance education courses and programs. The primary objectives of SARA are to make it easier for institutions in North Carolina to provide online and distance education options to students in other states and to provide basic protections for those students.
Central Piedmont Complaint Resolution for Online/Distance Education Students
Review Central Piedmont's student grievances policies, student grievance and grade appeals procedures, and student grievance form. It is advised that you begin the process at the institutional level. For more information or to file a complaint, please contact Dr. Shantell Strickland-Davis, Central Piedmont executive director for the Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence, using the contact information on this page.
Academic Matters
If you are enrolled in an online/distance course(s) at Central Piedmont and have a complaint about grades, college decisions, or other Central Piedmont procedures, follow the student grievance and grade appeals procedures (also accessible from the Student Handbook in the college catalog).
For further information or to file a complaint, please contact Dr. Shantell Strickland-Davis, Central Piedmont executive director for the Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence, using the contact information on this page.
Discrimination Issues
Follow the Central Piedmont student grievance and grade appeals procedures, discrimination and harassment policy, and discrimination and harassment procedures. If a complaint is not resolved through Central Piedmont's grievance procedures, you may file a complaint with The University of North Carolina System Office.
SACSCOC Student Complaint Process
If, for some reason, the complaint is not satisfactorily resolved with the UNC System Office, the next step would be to file a complaint with Central Piedmont's accrediting agency, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Central Piedmont is accredited by SACSCOC to award associate degrees, diplomas, and certificates. If you need to file a complaint with the accrediting agency, follow the SACSCOC complaint procedure (PDF). The contact information for SACS is:
SACSCOC
1866 Southern Lane
Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097
Telephone: 404.679.4500
Website: sacscoc.org
Alternative Complaint Resolution Procedures for Online/Distance Education Students
Unresolved Complaints
If an issue cannot be resolved internally, you may file a complaint with your state.
In compliance with the new regulations, an institution offering distance education must provide enrolled and prospective students with contact information for filing complaints with its accrediting agency and with the appropriate state agency for handling complaints in your state. While Central Piedmont strives to provide the highest quality education opportunities available, conflicts may arise. It is our aim to resolve any grievances, complaints, and concerns in an expeditious, fair, and amicable manner. If an issue cannot be solved by Central Piedmont’s internal processes, you may choose to file a complaint with your state of residence. Complaint contact information for each state.
Please review the NC student complaint policy (PDF) and complete the NC student complaint form.
North Carolina Post-Secondary Education Complaints
c/o Student Complaints
University of North Carolina System Office
223 S. West Street
Suite 1800
Raleigh, NC 27603
919.962.4550
Website: state of NC agency’s complaints page
Complaints Outside of Central Piedmont's Process
For complaints outside of Central Piedmont's process where you are unable to resolve a complaint through the institution's grievance procedures, please go to the state of NC agency’s complaints page to review the NC student complaint policy (PDF), and complete the NC student complaint form to submit a complaint.
SARA-NC Complaint Process
If you do not reside in NC, you may also file a compliant through
SARA NC of the North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority (NCSEAA). SARA North Carolina is the state portal for North Carolina.
If you do not reside in North Carolina and are enrolled in a North Carolina institution that operates under SARA North Carolina, you may submit complaints to NCSEAA only after completing the SARA NC complaint process and completing a SARA NC complaint form (PDF).
North Caroline State Education Assistance Authority
c/o SARA North Carolina Director
P.O. Box 41349
Raleigh, NC 27629
Telephone: 855.727.2162 | Email: complaint@saranc.org
Professional License and Licensure Reciprocity in Other States
Programs at Central Piedmont that prepare you for professional licensure are designed to prepare you to apply for applicable licensure in the state of North Carolina. In order to comply with U.S. Department of Education regulations regarding distance education and professional licensure, Central Piedmont is required to make the following disclosures with respect to professional licensure outside the state of North Carolina. We are continuing to collect this information; please continue to check this page for updates.
While the college has attempted to provide as much information about our program's licensure qualifications on this page, Central Piedmont cannot confirm whether a particular program meets requirements for professional licensure outside of the state of North Carolina. Direct any questions about your program of interest to the contact indicated in the following information and confirm licensure requirements and eligibility with your state.
Currently, Central Piedmont does not offer an online program that leads to professional licensure. Check the disclosure for each program or certificate to know in which states Central Piedmont's curriculum:
- meets state educational requirements for licensure or certification
- does not meet state educational requirements for licensure or certification
- has not made a determination