State Authorization of Online Programs
State Authorization of Online Programs
State Authorization Policy
Queens University of Charlotte is approved by North Carolina to participate in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA), a voluntary, regional approach to state oversight of postsecondary distance education, and is an institutional participant in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement – North Carolina (SARA-NC).
Queens aims to offer our online programs strategically across the United States as best suits student interests and needs. Additionally, Queens works with states and territories outside of SARA when necessary to ensure that required licensure or approvals are obtained.
While Queens makes every effort to monitor the laws in each state, state authorization of online education is a complex and ever-changing setting, and prospective students are strongly encouraged to monitor this site often for updates and changes. Should students have questions regarding the authorization of a program leading to licensure they may contact Queens University of Charlotte at 704-337-2200.
Student Complaint Policy
Queens University of Charlotte is committed to providing an educational climate that is conducive to the personal and professional development of each individual. In order to ensure that commitment, the university has developed procedures for students to pursue grievances within the university community, should such action become necessary. A student who has an unresolved disagreement or dissatisfaction with a faculty or staff member, another student, student group or administrator has the right to file a written complaint without prejudicing his or her status with the university.
For additional information about Student Complaints, please refer to the Queens University of Charlotte Student Complaints webpage.
Student Complaint Information Per State
Students also have the option of filing a complaint with the State Authorization Portal in their state.
Grievance Resolution
Federal 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. In the unlikely event that the issue is not resolved internally at Queens University of Charlotte, students enrolled in online programs may file complaints with other agencies.
Complaints may be submitted to:
Vice President of Academic Affairs
academicaffairs@queens.edu | 704-337-2243
1900 Selwyn Ave.
Charlotte, NC 28274
704-337-2579
pillarg@queens.edu
SARA-NC Complaint Process
Queens University is a member of the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement – North Carolina (SARA-NC), which is the portal for North Carolina. Students may also file a grievance through SARA-NC complaints unit. Students should follow the SARA-NC Complaint Process and use the SARA-NC Complaint form.
Note: SARA-NC does not resolve complaints about student grades and student conduct violations. These complaints fall under the jurisdiction of institutional policy.
SARA North Carolina
North Caroline State Education Assistance Authority
c/o SARA North Carolina
P.O. Box 41349
Raleigh, NC 27629
Toll-free Phone: 855-SARA-1-NC (727-2161), toll-free
Phone: 919-248-4667, local
Fax: 919-248-6667
https://www.saranc.org
Email for complaints: complaint@saranc.org
Email for all other inquiries: information@saranc.org
Complaint Process for NC Department of Justice
If you are not satisfied with the outcome of the complaint process at Queens University, you may choose to file a complaint with the Consumer Protection Division of the North Carolina Department of Justice.
To file a complaint with the Consumer Protection Division of the North Carolina Department of Justice, please complete the online complaint form or by mail.
Consumer Protection Division
Attorney General’s Office
9001 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-9001
North Carolina residents may call 877-566-7226. Outside of North Carolina, please call 919-716-6000. En Español 919-716-0058.
SACSCOC Student Complaint Process
Students whose complaint remains unresolved through the internal process at Queens University of Charlotte, also have the right to contact the university’s accreditor: the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Learn more about the SACSCOC complaint procedure.
The contact information for SACSCOC is:
1866 Southern Lane
Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097
Phone: 404-679-4500
https://www.sacscoc.org/
Online Students Living in NC
NC Post-Secondary Education Complaints
The State Authorization Unit of the University of North Carolina System Office serves as the official state entity to receive complaints concerning post-secondary institutions that are authorized to operate in North Carolina. Complaints received against post-secondary institutions licensed in the state of North Carolina, including Queens University, will be forwarded to the appropriate agency for action. If you are unable to resolve your complaint through Queens’ grievance procedures, please consult the NCPS-EC Student Complaint Policy for more information on how to complete a complaint form.
North Carolina Office of Postsecondary Education Complaints
c/o Student Complaints
223 S. West Street, Suite 1800
Raleigh, NC 27603
919-962-4550
Website
Out of State Online Students
If you live outside of North Carolina in a state currently participating in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (NC-SARA) and you are unable to resolve a complaint with Queens or feel that not all issues were resolved with the final disposition, you may file a complaint with your home state.
To see if your home state is a NC-SARA member, review their directory. If a student desires to contact the state portal entity for their home state, contact information for each state authorization liaison in a SARA approved state can be located on the NC-SARA website.
Program Information by State
Currently, Queens offers the following online programs:
- Flexible Master of Business Administration (MBA)
- Online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
- Online Master of Arts in Educational Leadership (MA)
- Flexible Master of Arts in Communication (MA)
- Online Master of Health Administration (MA)
- Online RN-BSN (BSN)
- Additionally, the on-ground Bachelor of Music (BM) in Music Therapy program offers an internship component that may be completed out-of-state.
The following state authorization information applies to these programs at Queens. Queens University of Charlotte is committed to complying with other states’ authorization regulations.
Additional Information by State
California – The state of California is NOT a member of the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA).
Connecticut – The online Bachelor of Science in Nursing program (BSN) and clinical Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) programs do not meet the state requirements of one or both of this state’s authorizing organizations.
Georgia – The online Bachelor of Science in Nursing program (BSN) program dos not meet the state requirements of one or both of this state’s authorizing organizations.
Massachusetts – The online Bachelor of Science in Nursing program (BSN) and clinical Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) programs do not meet the state requirements of one or both of this state’s authorizing organizations.
New Mexico – The online Bachelor of Science in Nursing program (BSN) and clinical Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) programs do not meet the state requirements of one or both of this state’s authorizing organizations.
Texas – Queens University of Charlotte is not regulated in Texas under Chapter 132 of the Texas Education Code and therefore does not fall under the purview of the Texas Workforce Commission. The online MBA and MA in Communication are compliant with the Texas Higher Education Commission regulations. Special licensure requirements may apply in Texas for the online MSN and MA in Educational Leadership. Contact Admissions at 866-313-2356 to discuss licensure requirements for your state.
For additional information about professional licensure requirements and boards by state, please visit our Professional Licensure and Certification Requirements of Online Programs webpage.
International Students
The recognition of foreign degrees, credentials, and online degrees awarded by foreign colleges and universities varies widely across countries. Whereas certain countries recognize foreign degrees and credentials, others do not. Queens University of Charlotte makes every attempt to monitor regulatory requirements related to international authorization for distance education. It is the student’s responsibility, however, to determine whether or not a Queens University of Charlotte degree will be recognized by a foreign country for the purpose of employment or enrollment in other educational programs.
Professional Licensure Disclosures
In order to comply with U.S. Department of Education regulations, all higher education institutions are required to advise students as to whether their curriculum provides them with the eligibility to apply for a professional license and/or certification in the state for which they plan to practice. For more information, please visit our Professional Licensure and Certification Requirements of Online Programs webpage.