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Out-of-State Compliance and Complaint Resolution

Overview

Online and distance education is an important part of the University of Northern Colorado's program offerings. We have been offering distance education since 1902 and online education for over a decade. Recent amendments to the Higher Education Act of 1965 include changes in regulation for State Authorization that may impact online, distance, and correspondence education providers. The relevant language includes:

If an institution is offering postsecondary education through distance or correspondence education to students in a State in which it is not physically located or in which it is otherwise subject to State jurisdiction as determined by the State, the institution must meet any State requirements for it to be legally offering postsecondary distance or correspondence education in that State. An institution must be able to document to the Secretary the State's approval upon request.
(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1001 and 1002)

What UNC is doing

UNC is working in cooperation with a variety of state agencies in order to comply with these new regulations so we can continue providing educational access to students across the country. We are evaluating and complying with these changes and have successfully secured approval from most states nationwide. 

Complaint Resolution

In compliance with the language passed in the Higher Education Opportunities Act of 2008, the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE) conducted a Negotiated Rule Making Process in 2010, institutions 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 the student's state. Below is information on UNC's accreditation agency, followed by links to the agencies in each state responsible for complaints regarding out-of-state distance education programs.

UNC Accreditation

The University of Northern Colorado is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA). The Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE) has authorized the University to offer undergraduate and graduate level courses and certificates, as well as baccalaureate, masters, doctorate, and professional degrees. Information regarding complaint process can be found on the HLC website.

Complaint Resolution Contacts by State

These new regulations require us to provide prospective and current students with contact information for filing complaints with the appropriate agency in the state where the student resides. Please click on your state to be connected to the contact form should you have a complaint about a UNC distance program.

Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
District of Columbia
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 Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming