Additional State and Accrediting Body Disclosures
Ashford University is subject to regulation by educational licensing authorities in states where we conduct operations. Some state licensing authorities require a review of program offerings prior to approval. Programs that are not approved or pending approval by a state licensing authority cannot be offered to students residing in that state.
Ashford University is licensed, registered, authorized or certified or formally exempt in the following states. Ashford University will continue to monitor developments in state laws in each state in which it enrolls students and, if authorization or licensure is or becomes necessary, will obtain such additional approvals. A copy of the documentation describing the institution's licensure, registration, authorization, certification or exemption will be made available to any enrolled or prospective student upon request. Please contact Ashford University’s Manager of State Compliance.
For states with an approved status, please be aware that individual programs may not be approved or may be pending approval by a state licensing authority and cannot be offered to students residing in that state.
Information on Registering a Complaint with a State
Information on Registering a Complaint with an Accreditor
Alabama Commission on Higher Education (approved)
100 North Union Street
Montgomery, AL 36104
(334) 242-1998
Alabama Department of Postsecondary Education (approved)
135 South Union Street
Montgomery, AL 36104
(334) 293-4500
Alabama Students: Contact the Teacher Education and Certification Division of the Alabama State Department of Education at 334-353-8567 or www.alsde.edu to verify that these programs qualify for teacher certification, endorsement, and/or salary benefits.
Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education (not required/exempt)
3030 Vintage Boulevard
Juneau, AK 99801
(800)-441-2962
Arizona State Board for Private Postsecondary Education (not required/exempt)
1400 West Washington, Room 260
Phoenix, AZ 85007
(602) 542-5709
Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board (approved)
Department of Higher Education
114 East Capitol, Little Rock, Arkansas 72201-3818
(501) 371-2000
Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board certification does not constitute an endorsement of any institution, course or degree program. Such certification merely indicates that certain minimum standards have been met under the rules and regulations of institutional certification as defined in Arkansas §6-61-301. The student should be aware that these degree programs may not transfer. The transfer of course/degree credit is determined by the receiving institution.
California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (not required/exempt)
2535 Capitol Oaks Drive, Suite 400
Sacramento, CA 95798
(916) 431-6959
Colorado Commission on Higher Education (approved)
1560 Broadway, Suite 1600
Denver, CO 80202
(303) 866-2723
Connecticut Department of Higher Education (not required/exempt)
61 Woodland Street
Hartford, CT 06105
(860) 947-1800
Delaware Higher Education Commission (not required/exempt)
820 No. French Street
Wilmington, DE 19801-3509
(302) 577-3240
District of Columbia Education Licensure Commission (approved)
Office of the State Superintendent of Education
810 First Street, NE, 9th Floor
Washington, DC 20002
(202) 442-4314
Florida Department of Education (not required/exempt)
Commission for Independent Education
325 West Gaines Street, Suite 1414
Tallahassee, FL 32399
(850) 245-3236
Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission (approved)
2082 E. Exchange Place, Suite 220
Tucker, GA 30084-4113
(770) 414-3300
Students from the State of Georgia have the right to appeal the Ashford University final grievance policy decision.
Hawaii Board of Regents (not required/exempt)
2444 Dole Street, Bachman Hall 204
Honolulu, HI 96822
(808) 956-7075
Idaho State Board of Education (not required/exempt)
650 W. State Street
Boise, ID 83720-0037
(208) 334-2270
Illinois Board of Higher Education (not required/exempt)
431 East Adams, 2nd Floor
Springfield, IL 62701
(217) 782-2551
Indiana Commission on Proprietary Education (approved)
302 West Washington Street, Room E201
Indianapolis, IN 46204-2767
(317) 232-1320
Ashford University is fully accredited by the Indiana Commission on Proprietary Education.
Iowa College Student Aid Commission (approved)
603 E. 12th Street, FL 5th
Des Moines, IA 50319
(877) 272-4456
Iowa Department of Education
400 E. 14th St.
Des Moines, IA 50319
(505) 281-5294
The Iowa Department of Education (“IDE”) approves our Master of Arts in Education program and our undergraduate Practitioner Preparation program. The IDE approval of our Master of Arts in Education program only applies to our on ground program and not to our online program. The IDE approval of our Master of Arts in Education program does not enable students who successfully complete the program to meet requirements necessary for licensure by the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners (“IBEE”) to teach in the state of Iowa, but does enable such students to meet certain requirements necessary for an already licensed teacher to obtain additional certifications from the IBEE. The Practitioner Preparation program is not offered online, nor does the IDE approval extend to courses in the Practitioner Preparation program that are offered online. The IDE approval of the on ground Practitioner Preparation program enables students who successfully complete the program to meet certain requirements necessary to qualify for licensure by the IBEE to teach in the state of Iowa. The Iowa Department of Education does not approve the University as a whole, nor its other educational programs, nor is the University required to obtain the approval of the Iowa Department of Education to operate its programs.
Kansas Board of Regents (approved)
1000 SW Jackson St., Suite 520
Topeka, KS 66612-1368
(785) 296-3421
Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education (pending)
1024 Capital Center Drive, Suite 320
Frankfort, KY 40601
(502) 573-1555
Louisiana Board of Regents (not required/exempt)
1201 N. Third Street, Suite 6-200
Baton Rouge, LA 70802
(225) 342-4253
Maine State Board of Education (not required/exempt)
23 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333
(207) 624-6616
Maryland Higher Education Commission (not required/exempt)
839 Bestgate Road, Suite 400
Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 260-4500
Massachusetts Board of Higher Education (not required/exempt)
One Ashburton Place, Room 1401
Boston, MA 02108
(617) 994-6950
Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Growth (not required/exempt)
Office of Postsecondary Service)
Proprietary School Unit
201 North Washington Square
Lansing, MI 48913
(517) 373-3820
Minnesota Office of Higher Education (approved)
1450 Energy Park Drive, Suite 350
St. Paul, MN 55108-5227
(651) 642-0567
Ashford University is registered as a private institution with the Minnesota Office of Higher Education pursuant to sections 136A.61 to 136A.71. Registration is not an endorsement of the institution. Credits earned at the institution may not transfer to all other institutions.
Mississippi State Board for Community and Junior Colleges (not currently authorized)
Commission on Proprietary School and College Registration
3825 Ridgewood Road
Jackson, MS 39211
(818) 349-3645
Missouri Department of Higher Education (approved)
Proprietary School Certification
205 Jefferson Street
Jefferson City, MO 65012-1469
(573) 751-2361
Montana University System (approved)
Commission on Higher Education
2500 Broadway
Helena, MT 59620
(406) 444-6570
Nebraska Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education (approved)
140 N 8th St # 300
Lincoln, NE 68508-1359
(402) 471-2847
Nevada Commission on Proprietary Education (not required/exempt)
3663 East Sunset Road, Suite 202
Las Vegas, NV 89120
(702) 486-7330
New Hampshire Postsecondary Education Commission (not required/exempt)
3 Barrell Court, Suite 300
Concord, NH 03301
(603) 271-2555
New Jersey Commission on Higher Education (not required/exempt)
20 West State Street, 4th Floor
Trenton, NJ 08608
(609) 292-4310
New Mexico Higher Education Department (approved)
2048 Galisteo Street
Santa Fe, NM 87505
(505) 476-8400
New York State Education Department (not required/exempt)
Office of College and University Evaluation
5 North Mezzanine, Education Building
Albany, NY 12234
(518) 474-2593
North Carolina Board of Governors for the University of North Carolina (not required/exempt)
North Carolina State Approving Agency
120 Penmarc Drive, Suite 103
Raleigh, NC 27603
(919) 733-7535
North Dakota Department of Career and Technical Education (not required/exempt)
Private Postsecondary Educational Institutions
600 E. Blvd. Ave. Dept 270
Bismarck, ND 58505
(701) 328-3180
Ohio Board of Regents (not required/exempt)
30 East Board Street, 36th Floor
Columbus, OH 43215
(614) 466-6000
Ohio State Board of Career Colleges and Schools (not required/exempt)
35 East Gay Street, Suite 403
Columbus, OH 43225
(614) 466-2752
Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education (not required/exempt)
655 Research Parkway, Suite 200
Oklahoma City, OK 73104
(405) 225-9100
Oregon Office of Degree Authorization (pending)
1500 Valley River Drive, Suite 100
Eugene, OR 97401
(503) 378-3921
Puerto Rico Council on Higher Education (not required/exempt)
P.O. Box 1900
San Juan, PR
00910-1900
Pennsylvania State Board of Education (approved)
Office of Postsecondary and Higher Education
333 Market Street
Harrisburg, PA 17126
(717)783-6788
Rhode Island Board of Governors for Higher Education (not required/exempt)
Shepard Building
80 Washington Street
Providence, RI 02903
(401) 456-6000
South Carolina Commission on Higher Education (not required/exempt)
Non-Public Postsecondary Institution Licensing
1333 Main Street, Suite 200
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 737-2260
South Dakota Board of Regents (not required/exempt)
306 East Capitol Avenue, Suite 200
Pierre, SD 57501
(605) 773-3455
Tennessee Higher Education Commission (approved)
404 James Robertson Parkway, Suite 1900
Nashville, TN 37243
(615) 741-3605
Ashford University is authorized by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission. This authorization must be renewed each year and is based on an evaluation by minimum standards concerning quality of education, ethical business practices, health and safety, and fiscal responsibility.
Tennessee Residents: Any grievances not resolved on the institutional level may be forwarded to the Tennessee Higher Education Commission, Nashville, TN 37243-0830, (615) 741-3293.
Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (not required/exempt)
1200 East Anderson Lane
Austin, TX 78711
(512) 427-6168
Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board has issued a letter confirming that the University is qualified for an exemption under the Board’s rules and that the University is legally authorized to grant degrees, grant credits toward degrees, and to use certain protected academic terms in the State of Texas.
Texas Workforce Commission (not required/exempt)
Career Schools and Colleges, Room 104-T
101 East 15th Street
Austin, TX 78778-0001
(512) 936-3100
Texas Workforce Commission has granted the University an exemption as a private university that awards a recognized baccalaureate or higher degree, and that maintains and operates educational programs for which a majority of the credits given are transferrable to a college, junior college, or university supported entirely or partly by taxation from either a local or state source. Exemption status means the University is not approved or regulated by the Commission. The Commission has not approved the curriculum, classrooms, teachers or any other matters related to the University or its program. The letter of exemption issued by the Commission does not constitute approval, accreditation or licensure of the University or its program under Texas law.
Utah Department of Commerce (not required/exempt)
Division of Consumer Protection
160 East 300 South, Second Floor
Salt Lake City, UT 84114
(801) 530-6601
Vermont Department of Education (not required/exempt)
120 State Street
Montpelier, VT 05620
(802) 828-3135
Virginia State Council of Higher Education (not required/exempt)
James Monroe Building
101 North Fourteenth Street
Richmond, VA 23219
(804) 225-2600
Washington State Higher Education Coordinating Board (approved)
917 Lakeridge Way
P.O. Box 43430
Olympia, WA 98504-3430
(360)753-7800
Ashford University is authorized by the Washington Higher Education Coordinating Board (HECB) and meets the requirements and minimum educational standards established for degree-granting institutions under the Degree-Granting Institutions Act. This authorization is subject to periodic review and authorizes Ashford University to advertise and recruit for the following distance learning degree programs: Associate of Arts in Business; Associate of Arts in Early Childhood Education; Associate of Arts in Military Studies; Associate of Arts in Organizational Management; Bachelor of Arts in Accounting; Bachelor of Arts in Adult Development; Bachelor of Arts in Applied Behavioral Science; Bachelor of Arts in Applied Linguistics; Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration; Bachelor of Arts in Business Economics; Bachelor of Arts in Business Information Systems; Bachelor of Arts in Business Leadership; Bachelor of Arts in Child Development; Bachelor of Arts in Cognitive Studies; Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies; Bachelor of Arts in Consumer and Family Financial Services; Bachelor of Arts in Cultural Anthropology; Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education; Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education Administration; Bachelor of Arts in Education and Public Policy; Bachelor of Arts in Education Studies; Bachelor of Arts in eMarketing; Bachelor of Arts in English; Bachelor of Arts in English Language Learner Studies; Bachelor of Arts in Entrepreneurship; Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies; Bachelor of Arts in Finance; Bachelor of Arts in Gerontology; Bachelor of Arts in Health and Human Services; Bachelor of Arts in Health Care Administration; Bachelor of Arts in Health Care Studies; Bachelor of Arts in Health Education; Bachelor of Arts in Health Marketing and Communication; Bachelor of Arts in History; Bachelor of Arts in Homeland Security and Emergency Management; Bachelor of Arts in Human Resources Management; Bachelor of Arts in Instructional Design; Bachelor of Arts in International Business; Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communication; Bachelor of Arts in Law Enforcement Administration; Bachelor of Arts in Military Studies; Bachelor of Arts in Operations Management and Analysis; Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Management; Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Government; Bachelor of Arts in Project Management; Bachelor of Arts in Psychology; Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration; Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations and Marketing; Bachelor of Arts in Service Management ; Bachelor of Arts in Social and Criminal Justice; Bachelor of Arts in Social Science; Bachelor of Arts in Social Science/Education Concentration; Bachelor of Arts in Sociology; Bachelor of Arts in Sports and Recreation Management; Bachelor of Arts in Supply Chain Management; Bachelor of Arts in Sustainable Enterprise Management; Master of Arts in Education; Master of Arts in Health Care Administration; Master of Arts in Organizational Management; Master of Arts in Teaching and Learning with Technology; Master of Business Administration; and Master of Public Administration. Authorization by the HECB does not carry with it an endorsement by the board of the institution or its programs. Any person desiring information about the requirements of the act or the applicability of those requirements to the institution may contact the HECB at P.O. Box 43430, Olympia, WA 98504-3430.
West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission (not required/exempt)
West Virginia Community and Technical College System
1018 Kanawha Boulevard East, Suite 700
Charleston, WV 25301
(304) 558-2101
Wisconsin Educational Approval Board (approved)
30 W. Mifflin St., Ninth Floor
Madison, WI 53707-8696
(608) 266-1996
Grievance Procedure for Student Complaints
Wisconsin Residents: In the event student complaints are not satisfactorily resolved with the school, students can contact the State of Wisconsin Educational Approval Board at (608) 266-1996.
Wyoming Department of Education (approved)
Hathaway Building, 2nd Floor, 2300 Capitol Avenue
Cheyenne, WY 82002-0050
(307) 777-7673
Veterans Education:
Iowa State Approving Agency
Veterans and Military Education
Iowa Department of Education
400 E. 14th St.
Des Moines, IA 50319
Ashford University is approved to train veterans and their eligible dependents in certain educational programs by the Veterans and Military Education unit of the Iowa Department of Education.
Information on Registering a Complaint with a State
The University takes active steps to provide a positive learning environment and resources to assist students in meeting their educational goals. Though it always is the University's desire to see students have a dispute-free experience, the University understands that sometimes challenges will arise. While students are able to file a complaint at an external agency, the University provides several options for internally resolving a dispute. The University offers these internal dispute resolution options through the Student Dispute Resolution Center (Center). The Center provides Ashford University students, prospective applicants, alumni, former students and others with concerns about something relating to the student experience with an opportunity to swiftly and fairly resolve any confusion, frustration, or issue. Individuals with an escalated dispute will meet with one of the Center's trained dispute resolution professionals, who will review the situation and guide the individual to the process that is most appropriate for the nature of the concern. Individuals with a concern will have the ability to resolve their concerns through informal mediation or through the formal grievance process. (For more information about the Center, please visit http://ashford.edu/sdrc/.)
Located within the Center, the Office of Student Mediation & Dispute Resolution (http://ashford.edu/smdr/) provides informal, confidential and voluntary dispute resolution avenues. Impartial facilitators help students negotiate a confidential, informal agreement with the University. This process operates primarily through informal, interest-based mediation and is designed to allow for creativity and flexibility through joint problem-solving.
Another aspect of the Center involves the formal grievance process for students. The Office of Student Grievance Resolution (http://ashford.edu/grievance/) addresses formal student complaints, also known as grievances. During the formal grievance process, an impartial administrator will thoroughly investigate the facts relating to the student concern and ensure that the student receives a written response to the concerns from the University.
ALABAMA
Alabama Commission on Higher Education
P. O. Box 302000
Montgomery, AL 36130-2000
http://www.accs.cc/ComplaintForm.aspx
Alabama Department of Postsecondary Education
P.O. Box 302130
Montgomery, AL 36130-2130
ALASKA
Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education
P.O. Box 110505
Juneau, AK 99811-0505
EED.ACPE-IA@alaska.gov
http://akadvantage.alaska.gov/Portals/0/Content/ACPEStat051911b.pdf
http://akadvantage.alaska.gov/Portals/0/Content/ACPERegs052611.pdf
Alaska Office of Attorney General
Consumer Protection Unit
1031 W. Fourth Avenue, Suite 200
Anchorage, AK 99501
attorney.general@alaska.gov
http://www.law.state.ak.us/pdf/consumer/FORM_complaint.pdf
ARIZONA
Arizona State Board for Private Postsecondary Education
1400 W. Washington Street
Room 260
Phoenix, AZ 85007
http://azppse.gov/student_info/compliance.asp
ARKANSAS
Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board
Arkansas Department of Higher Education
114 East Capitol Ave
Little Rock, AR 72201
ADHE_Info@adhe.edu
http://www.adhe.edu/SiteCollectionDocuments/AcademicAffairsDivision/ICAC%20Rules%20and%20Regulations/APPENDIXJ.pdf
Arkansas State Board of Private Career Education
501 Woodlane, Suite 312S
Little Rock, AR 72201
sbpce@arkansas.gov
http://www.sbpce.org/complaint_process.html
CALIFORNIA
California Bureau of Private Postsecondary Education
P.O. Box 980818
W. Sacramento, CA 95798-0818
bppe@dca.ca.gov
http://www.bppe.ca.gov/forms_pubs/complaint.pdf
COLORADO
Colorado Department of Higher Education
1560 Broadway, Suite 1600
Denver, Colorado 80202
http://highered.colorado.gov/Academics/Complaints/default.html
http://highered.colorado.gov/DPOS/Students/complaint.html
CONNECTICUT
Connecticut Office of Financial and Academic Affairs for Higher Education
61 Woodland Street
Hartford, CT 06105-2326
(860) 947-1800
Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection
165 Capitol Avenue
Room 110
Hartford CT 06106
trade.practices@ct.gov
http://www.ct.gov/dcp/lib/dcp/Consumer_Statement_CPFR-2.pdf
DELAWARE
Delaware Higher Education Office
Carvel State Office Building, 5th Floor
820 N. French Street
Wilmington, DE 19801-3509
dheo@doe.k12.de.us
Delaware Attorney General
Consumer Protection Wilmington:
820 N. French Street 5th floor
Wilmington, DE 19801
consumer.protection@state.de.us
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
District of Columbia Office of the State Superintendent of Education
Education Licensure Commission
810 First Street, NE
9th Floor
Washington, DC 20002
http://osse.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/osse/publication/attachments/complaint_form_4_11.pdf
FLORIDA
Florida Commission on Independent Education
325 W. Gaines Street
Suite 1414
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0400
http://www.fldoe.org/cie/complaint.asp
GEORGIA
Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission
2082 E. Exchange Pl. #220
Tucker, GA 30084-5334
http://rules.sos.state.ga.us/docs/392/5/06.pdf
HAWAII
Hawaii State Board of Education
P.O. Box 2360
Honolulu, Hawaii 96804
ocp@dcca.hawaii.gov
http://hawaii.gov/dcca/ocp/consumer_complaint
IDAHO
Idaho State Board of Education
Attn: State Coordinator for Private Colleges and Proprietary Schools
650 West State Street
P.O. Box 83720
Boise, ID 83720-0037
ILLINOIS
Illinois Board of Higher Education
431 East Adams,
2nd Floor
Springfield, Illinois 62701-1404
info@ibhe.org
Institutional Complaint Hotline: (217) 557-7359
Illinois State Board of Education
100 N. 1st Street
Springfield, Illinois 62777
http://webprod1.isbe.net/contactisbe/ (email)
Illinois Attorney General
Consumer Fraud Bureau
500 South Second Street
Springfield, IL 62706
Consumer Fraud Hotline: (800) 243-0618
INDIANA
Indiana Commission on Proprietary Education
Attn: Director of Regulatory Compliance
302 W Washington Street, Room E201
Indianapolis, IN 46204
http://www.in.gov/cpe/files/sf39280-complaint.pdf
IOWA
Iowa Student Aid Commission
603 E. 12th Street
5th Floor
Des Moines, IA 50319
info@iowacollegeaid.gov
https://apps.iowacollegeaid.gov/marketing/docs/constituentrequestform.pdf
KANSAS
Kansas Board of Regents
1000 SW Jackson Street
Suite 520
Topeka, KS 66612-1368
http://www.kansasregents.org/resources/PDF/524-ComplaintProcedureandForm.pdf
KENTUCKY
Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education
1024 Capital Center Dr #320
Frankfort, KY 40601-7512
Kentucky Board of Proprietary Education
911 Leawood Drive
Frankfort, KY 40601-3319
Complaint Form
Office of the Attorney General
Capitol Suite 118
700 Capitol Avenue
Frankfort, Kentucky 40601-3449
consumer.protection@ag.ky.gov
http://www.ag.ky.gov/nR/rdonlyres/19D2FEF3-0666-49B5-A184-38006DA45B2C/0/complaint_gen.pdf
LOUISIANA
Louisiana Attorney General Office, Consumer Protection Section
P.O. Box 94005
Baton Rouge, LA 70804
(800) 351-4889
(225) 326-6465
Consumerinfo@ag.state.la.us
http://www.ag.state.la.us/complaint.aspx?articleID=16&catID=15
Complaints can also be sent:
Attn: Nancy Beall or Dr. Larry Trembly
P.O. Box 3677
Baton Rouge, LA 70821-3677
MAINE
Maine Department of Education
Harry Osgood, Complaints
23 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333-0023
harry.osgood@maine.gov
Maine Attorney General
Consumer Protection Division
6 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333
http://www.maine.gov/ag/consumer/complaints/complaint_form.shtml
MARYLAND
Maryland Higher Education Commission
839 Bestgate Road, Suite 400
Annapolis, MD 21401-3013
http://www.mhec.state.md.us/career/pcs/gripe.asp
Maryland Attorney General
Consumer Protection Division
200 St. Paul Place
Baltimore, MD 21202
consumer@oag.state.md.us
https://web.oag.state.md.us/editor/customer/onlineformhelpers/formviewer.aspx?filename=MUGeneral.htm
Consumer Protection Hotline: (410) 528-8662
MASSACHUSETTS
Massachusetts Board of Higher Education
One Ashburton Place
Room 1401
Boston, MA 02108
http://www.mass.edu/forstudents/complaints/complaintprocess.asp
MICHIGAN
Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs
Bureau of Commercial Services, Licensing Division
Proprietary School Unit Staff
201 N. Washington Sq.
Lansing, MI 48913
http://www.michiganps.net/complaint.aspx
MINNESOTA
Minnesota Office of Higher Education
1450 Energy Park Drive, Suite 350
St. Paul, MN 55108-5227
http://www.ohe.state.mn.us/oheContactForm.cfm (email)
MISSISSIPPI
Mississippi Commission on College Accreditation
3825 Ridgewood Road
Jackson, MS 39211-6453
Mississippi Commission of Proprietary Schools and College Registration
3825 Ridgewood Road
Jackson, MS 39211-6453
Consumer Protection Division
Office of the Attorney General
State of Mississippi
P.O. Box 22947
Jackson, Mississippi 39225-2947
http://www.ago.state.ms.us/index.php/contact (email)
http://www.ago.state.ms.us/images/uploads/forms/MSAGO_Complaint_Form.pdf
MISSOURI
Missouri Department of Higher Education
205 Jefferson Street
P.O. Box 1469
Jefferson City, MO 65102-1469
info@dhe.mo.gov
MONTANA
Montana Board of Regents
Office of Commissioner of Higher Education
Montana University System
2500 Broadway Street
P.O. Box 203201
Helena, MT 59620-3201
Montana Office of Consumer Protection
2225 11th Avenue
P.O. Box 200151
Helena, MT 59620-0151
contactocp@mt.gov
http://www.doj.mt.gov/consumer/docs/complaintform.pdf
NEBRASKA
Nebraska Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education
P.O. Box 95005
Lincoln, NE 68509-5005
Department of Education, Private Postsecondary Career Schools
Nebraska Department of Education
Investigations Office
301 Centennial Mall South
P.O. Box 98987
Lincoln, NE 68509-4987
http://www.education.ne.gov/PPCS/PDF%20Folders/PDF%20Documents/PPCS%20Forms/Complaint-form.pdf
Nebraska Attorney General
Consumer Protection Division
2115 State Capitol
Lincoln, NE 68509
http://www.ago.state.ne.us/consumer/emailforms/consumer_complaint.htm
Consumer Protection Hotline: (800) 727-6432
NEVADA
Nevada Commission on Postsecondary Education
3663 East Sunset Road
Suite 202
Las Vegas, Nevada 89120
http://www.cpe.state.nv.us/CPE%20Complaint%20Info.htm
NEW HAMPSHIRE
New Hampshire Department of Education
Stephen Berwick, Coordinator, Dispute Resolution and Constituent Complaints
101 Pleasant Street
Concord, NH 03301
(603) 271-2299
stephen.berwick@doe.nh.gov
NEW JERSEY
New Jersey Commission on Higher Education
P.O. Box 542
Trenton, NJ 08625
nj_che@che.state.nj.us
New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development
1 John Fitch Plaza
P.O. Box 110
Trenton, NJ 08625-0110
schoolapprovalunit@dol.state.nj.us
http://lwd.dol.state.nj.us/labor/forms_pdfs/edtrain/Conflict%20Resolution%20Questionnaire.pdf
New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs
124 Halsey Street
Newark, New Jersey 07102
http://www.nj.gov/oag/ca/complaint/ocp.pdf
NEW MEXICO
New Mexico Higher Education Department
2048 Galisteo
Santa Fe, NM 87505
http://www.hed.state.nm.us/uploads/FileLinks/b23fc959f37c44bb8e3caae612e0dba7/PPS%20Complaint%20Form.pdf
NEW YORK
New York Office of College and University Evaluation
New York State Education Department
5 North Mezzanine
Albany, NY 12234
ocueinfo@mail.nysed.gov
http://www.highered.nysed.gov/ocue/spr/COMPLAINTFORMINFO.html
New York Bureau of Proprietary School Supervision
New York State Education Department
99 Washington Avenue, Room 1613 OCP
Albany, New York 12234
NORTH CAROLINA
North Carolina Community College System Office of Proprietary Schools
200 West Jones St.
Raleigh, North Carolina 27603
http://www.nccommunitycolleges.edu/Proprietary_Schools/docs/PDFFiles/StdtCompltForm.pdf
Board of Governors for the University of North Carolina
Postsecondary Education Complaints
c/o Assistant Director of Licensure and Workforce
University of North Carolina General Administration
910 Raleigh Road
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
studentcomplaint@northcaolina.edu
http://www.ncdoj.gov/getdoc/59be4357-41f3-4377-b10f-3e8bd532da5f/Complaint-Form.aspx
NORTH DAKOTA
North Dakota Department of Career and Technical Education (if school is authorized)
State Capitol - 15th Floor
600 E. Boulevard Ave. Dept. 270
Bismarck, ND 58505-0610
cte@nd.gov
North Dakota Consumer Protection Division (if school is "exempt" or not authorized)
Office of Attorney General
Gateway Professional Center
1050 E. Interstate Ave. Suite 200
Bismarck, ND 58503-5574
http://www.ag.state.nd.us/cpat/PDFFiles/SFN7418.pdf
OHIO
Ohio State Board of Career Colleges and Schools
30 East Broad Street, Suite 2481
Columbus, OH 43215
http://scr.ohio.gov/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=%2bwaKHWPRAH8%3d&tabid=68
Ohio Board of Regents
30 East Broad Street, 36th floor
Columbus, OH 43215-3414
Ohio Attorney General
Consumer Protection Section
30 E. Broad St., 14th floor
Columbus, OH 43215-3400
http://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/consumercomplaint
OKLAHOMA
Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education
655 Research Parkway
Suite 200
Oklahoma City, OK 73104
Oklahoma State Board of Private Vocational Schools
3700 Classen Boulevard
Suite 250
Oklahoma City, OK 73118-2864
Oklahoma Office of the Attorney General
Consumer Protection Unit
Attn: Investigative Analyst
313 NE 21st Street
Oklahoma City, OK 73105
http://www.oag.state.ok.us/oagweb.nsf/ccomp.html
OREGON
Oregon Office of Degree Authorization
1500 Valley River Drive
Suite 100
Eugene, OR 97401
Oregon Department of Education
Private Career Schools Office
255 Capitol Street NE
Salem, OR 97310-0203
http://www.ode.state.or.us/teachlearn/specialty/pcs/forms/complaint-procedures.doc
Oregon Attorney General
Financial Fraud/Consumer Protection Section
1162 Court St. NE
Salem, OR 97301-4096
http://www.doj.state.or.us/finfraud/pdf/concompform.pdf
PENNSYLVANIA
Pennsylvania Department of Education
333 Market Street
Harrisburg, PA 17126-0333
Office of Attorney General
Bureau of Consumer Protection
14th Floor, Strawberry Square
Harrisburg, PA 17120
http://www.attorneygeneral.gov/uploadedFiles/Complaints/BCP_Complaint_Form.pdf
PUERTO RICO
Puerto Rico Council on Higher Education
P.O. Box 1900
San Juan, PR
00910-1900
Puerto Rico Department of Justice
P.O. Box 9020192
San Juan, Puerto Rico
00902-0192
RHODE ISLAND
Rhode Island Board of Governors for Higher Education
Shepard Building
80 Washington Street
Providence, RI 02903
Rhode Island Department of Attorney General
Consumer Protection Unit
150 South Main Street
Providence, RI 02903
http://www.riag.state.ri.us/documents/consumer/ConsumerComplaintForm.pdf
SOUTH CAROLINA
South Carolina Commission on Higher Education
1333 Main Street, Suite 200
Columbia, SC 29201
http://www.che.sc.gov/AcademicAffairs/License/Complaint_procedures_and_form.pdf
SOUTH DAKOTA
South Dakota Board of Regents
306 E. Capitol Ave, Suite 200
Pierre, SD 57501-2545
South Dakota Office of Attorney General
Division of Consumer Protection
1302 E Hwy 14 Suite 3
Pierre, SD 57501-8053
http://atg.sd.gov/Consumers/HandlingComplaints/ConsumerComplaintForm.aspx
TENNESSEE
Tennessee Higher Education Commission
404 James Robertson Parkway
Suite 1900
Nashville, TN 37243
http://www.tn.gov/thec/Divisions/LRA/PostsecondaryAuth/Complaint%20Form.rtf
TEXAS
Texas Workforce Commission
Career Schools and Colleges - Room 226-T
101 East 15th Street
Austin, Texas 78778-0001
http://www.twc.state.tx.us/svcs/propschools/ps401a.pdf
Additional complaint information is available at:
http://www.twc.state.tx.us/svcs/propschools/problem-school.html
Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
1200 E. Anderson Lane
Austin, Texas 78752
Office of the Attorney General
Consumer Protection Division
P.O. Box 12548
Austin, TX 78711-2548
https://www.oag.state.tx.us/consumer/complaintform.pdf
UTAH
Utah Division of Consumer Protection
160 East 300 South
Salt Lake City, Utah 84111
consumerprotection@utah.gov
http://consumerprotection.utah.gov/complaints/index.html
VERMONT
Vermont Department of Education
State Board of Education
120 State Street
Montpelier, VT 05620-2501
Vermont Attorney General’s Office
109 State Street
Montpelier, VT 05609-1001
VIRGINIA
State Council of Higher Education for Virginia
101 N. 14TH St.
James Monroe Building
Richmond, VA 23219
communications@schev.edu
http://www.schev.edu/students/studentcomplaint.asp
VIRGIN ISLANDS
Government of the United States Virgin Islands
Department of Education, Office of the Commissioner
1834 Kongens Gade
St. Thomas, V.I. 00802
WASHINGTON
Washington Higher Education Coordinating Board
917 Lakeridge Way
P.O. Box 43430
Olympia, WA 98504-3430
dainfo@hecb.wa.gov
Washington Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board
128 10th Avenue SW
P.O. Box 43105
Olympia, WA 98504-3105
workforce@wtb.wa.gov
http://www.wtb.wa.gov/PCS_Complaints.asp (instructions)
Washington State Office of the Attorney General
1125 Washington Street SE
P.O. Box 40100
Olympia, WA 98504-0100
https://fortress.wa.gov/atg/formhandler/ago/ContactForm.aspx?subject=Consumer%20Protection (email)
https://fortress.wa.gov/atg/formhandler/ago/ComplaintForm.aspx (complaint form)
WEST VIRGINIA
West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission
1018 Kanawha Blvd E., Ste 700
Charleston, WV 25301-2800
Community and Technical College System of West Virginia
1018 Kanawha Blvd. E., Ste. 700
Charleston WV 25301
West Virginia Office of the Attorney General
Consumer Protection Division
P.O. Box 1789
Charleston, WV 25326-1789
http://www.wvago.gov/pdf/general-consumer-complaint-form.pdf
WISCONSIN
Wisconsin Educational Approval Board
30 W. Mifflin St., 9th Floor
P.O. Box 8696
Madison, WI 53708
eabmail@eab.state.wi.us
http://eab.state.wi.us/resources/complaint.asp
WYOMING
Wyoming Department of Education
2300 Capitol Avenue
Hathaway Building, 2nd Floor
Cheyenne, WY 82002-0050
Attorney General’s Office
123 Capitol Building
200 W. 24th Street
Cheyenne, WY 82002
Information on Registering a Complaint with an Accreditor
The University takes active steps to provide a positive learning environment and resources to assist students in meeting their educational goals. Though it always is the University's desire to see students have a dispute-free experience, the University understands that sometimes challenges will arise. While students are able to file a complaint at an external agency, the University provides several options for internally resolving a dispute. The University offers these internal dispute resolution options through the Student Dispute Resolution Center (Center). The Center provides Ashford University students, prospective applicants, alumni, former students and others with concerns about something relating to the student experience with an opportunity to swiftly and fairly resolve any confusion, frustration, or issue. Individuals with an escalated dispute will meet with one of the Center's trained dispute resolution professionals, who will review the situation and guide the individual to the process that is most appropriate for the nature of the concern. Individuals with a concern will have the ability to resolve their concerns through informal mediation or through the formal grievance process. (For more information about the Center, please visit http://ashford.edu/sdrc/.)
Located within the Center, the Office of Student Mediation & Dispute Resolution (http://ashford.edu/smdr/) provides informal, confidential and voluntary dispute resolution avenues. Impartial facilitators help students negotiate a confidential, informal agreement with the University. This process operates primarily through informal, interest-based mediation and is designed to allow for creativity and flexibility through joint problem-solving.
Another aspect of the Center involves the formal grievance process for students. The Office of Student Grievance Resolution (http://ashford.edu/grievance/) addresses formal student complaints, also known as grievances. During the formal grievance process, an impartial administrator will thoroughly investigate the facts relating to the student concern and ensure that the student receives a written response to the concerns from the University.
The Higher Learning Commission
Students may file a complaint with the University’s institutional accrediting body by contacting The Higher Learning Commission, North Central Association, www.ncahlc.org.
International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education
Students may file a complaint with the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE) via email (iacbe@iacbe.org) or by regular mail to International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE), 11257 Strang Line Road, Lenexa, KS 66215, USA.