Filing a complaint in your state
Goodwin University is committed to providing the best academic experience through a robust curriculum, inclusive learning experience, and support services. The University would also like to ensure that all students are treated fairly and with respect, whether they are a Connecticut student or taking the Goodwin program online from another state.
To ensure transparency and disclosure to our students, we are in a strict compliance with federal and interstate regulations and agreements. The following page is dedicated to sharing information about grievances process, state authorizations, and professional licensure.
Filing a complaint at Goodwin University
Goodwin University treats its programs as a form of on-the-job training for its students. For that reason, any complaint or suggestion regarding a class should be discussed first with the instructor. If a student is unable to satisfactorily address the problem, (s)he should make an appointment with the appropriate Dean. After that, appeals may be made, in writing, to Goodwin University's Appeals Board (GUAB). All appeals should be sent to Danielle Wilken, Provost, Dean of Faculty, and Chair of the Appeals Board. Decisions will be rendered in writing within two (2) weeks.
The GUAB will also hear appeals on financial aid and conduct issues after the student has sought a remedy through the appropriate channels. All appeals should be sent to Danielle Wilken, Provost, Dean of Faculty, and Chair of the GUAB. Decisions will be rendered in writing within two (2) weeks.
If you are still aggrieved after speaking to all of these people, you may call or write the Connecticut Office of Higher Education at 450 Columbus Boulevard, Suite 707; Hartford, CT 06103-1841. The phone number is (860) 947-1800.
Since Goodwin University is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), students wishing further clarification may direct concerns, in writing to: 3 Burlington Woods, STE 100; Burlington, MA 01803-4514. Their phone number is 781-425-7785. Our students are also free to visit their website for additional information regarding the NECHE complaint process.
NC-SARA
Goodwin University is proud to be a member of the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA). This is an agreement between states, which allows an institution authorized in its home state to be authorized in all other states that are members of the agreement. In other words, it helps establish comparable national standards for online courses and programs. As a SARA-participating institution, Goodwin University is authorized to offer online courses and programs for students located in each state that participates in the agreement without having to get approval from each state individually.
Distance education students residing in a SARA state may appeal a complaint to their SARA Coordinator for review after exhausting the institution's internal complaint process and the complaint process of the Connecticut Office of Higher Education.
The Connecticut Office of Higher Education will not review complaints regarding student grades or student code of conduct violations. For more information, visit the Connecticut SARA Coordinator website.
Mail:
Office of Higher Education
450 Columbus Boulevard, Suite 707
Hartford, CT 06103-1841
Contact: Division Director of Academic Affairs, SARA Coordinator
Phone: 806-947-1837
Email: ctsara@ctohe.org
Website: Office of Higher Education State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement
Mail:
Colorado Department of Higher Education
1600 Broadway, Suite 2200
Denver, CO 80202
Contact: Heather DeLange, Director of the Office of Private Postsecondary Education
Phone: 303-862-3005
Email: Heather.delange@dhe.state.co.us
Website: NC-SARA Information on the Colorado Department of Higher Education
Mail:
Florida Department of Education
325 West Gaines Street, Room 1414
Tallahassee, FL 32399
Contact: Rhesa Rudolph, Assistant Executive Director
Phone: 850-245-3200 or 888-224-6684
Email: rhesa.rudolph@fldoe.org
Website: Florida Department of Education – Florida State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement
Mail:
Postsecondary Education Commission (GNPEC)
2082 E Exchange Pl, Suite 220
Tucker, GA 30084
Contact: Adam Hawk, GA-SARA Coordinator
Phone: 770-414-3310
Email: adamh@gnpec.ga.gov
Website: Georgia State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA)
Mail:
Kansas Board of Regents
1000 SW Jackson, Suite 520
Topeka, KS 66612-1368
Contact: Jennifer Armour, Associate Director of Academic Affairs
Phone: 785-430-4288
Email: jarmour@ksbor.org
Website: Kansas Board of Regents
Mail:
Maine Department of Higher Education
23 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333-0023
Contact: Angel Loredo, Higher Education Specialist
Phone: 207-624-6846
Email: angel.loredo@maine.gov
Website: Maine Department of Education State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement
Mail:
Massachusetts Department of Higher Education
One Ashburton Pl, Rm 1401
Boston, MA 02108
Contact: Alexander A. Nally, Assistant General Counsel
Phone: 617-994-6910
Email: SARAInquiries@dhe.mass.edu
Website: Department of Higher Education State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA Portal)
Mail:
Employment & Training, Postsecondary Schools Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity
201 N Washington Sq, 3rd Fl
Lansing, MI 48913
Contact: James R. Farhat, Department Specialist
Phone: 517-256-8670
Email: PSS@michigan.gov, farhatj@michigan.gov
Website: Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity
Mail:
Missouri Department of Higher Education & Workforce Development, Attn: SARA
PO Box 1469
Jefferson City, MO 65102-1469
Contact: Leroy Wade, Deputy Commissioner
Phone: 573-751-2361
Email: leroy.wade@dhewd.mo.gov
Website: Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity
Mail:
Montana University System
PO Box 203201
Helena, MT 59620
Contact: Joseph "Joe" Thiel, Director of Academic Policy and Research
Phone: 406-449-9135
Email: jthiel@montana.edu
Website: Montana Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education
Mail:
New Hampshire Department of Education
101 Pleasant Street
Concord, NH 03301-3852
Contact: Steve Appleby, Director of the Division of Educator Support and Higher Education
Phone: 603-271-2408
Email: stephen.appleby@doe.nh.gov
Website: New Hampshire Department of Education
Mail:
New Jersey Office of the Secretary of Higher Education
20 W State St, 4th Fl - PO Box 542
Trenton, NJ 08625
Contact: Eric Taylor, Esq., Director of the Office of Licensure
Phone: 609-984-3738
Email: eric.taylor@oshe.nj.gov
Website: Office of the Secretary of Higher Education
Mail:
New York State Education Department
89 Washington Ave
Albany, NY 12234
Contact: Emily Sutherland, Supervisor of Higher Education Programs
Phone: 518-474‐3817, ext. 360
Email: IHEauthorize@nysed.gov
Website: New York State Education Department
Mail:
State SARA Website
North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority
PO Box 14103
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709
Contact: Terrence R. Scarborough, M.P.A., Director of SARA North Carolina
Phone: 919-248-4660
Email: terrence@saranc.org
Website: North Carolina Licensure and State Information
Mail:
Ohio Department of Higher Education
25 South Front Street
Columbus, OH, 43215
Contact: Matt Exline, Assistant Director of Program Approval Operations
Phone: 617-728-3095
Email: mexline@highered.ohio.gov
Website: Ohio Department of Higher Education NC-Sara Contact
Mail:
Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education
655 Research Pkwy, Ste 200 - PO Box 108850
Oklahoma City, OK 73101-8850
Contact: Kyle Foster, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs
Phone: 405-225-9163
Email: kfoster@osrhe.edu
Website: Oklahoma State regents for Higher Education NC-Sara Contact
Mail:
RI Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner
560 Jefferson Boulevard, Suite 100
Warwick, RI 02886
Contact: Deanna Velletri, Specialist of Proprietary Schools
Phone: 401-736-1100
Email: deanna.velletri@riopc.edu
Website: Rhode Island Postsecondary Commissioner
Mail:
South Carolina Commission on Higher Education
1122 Lady St, Suite 300
Columbia, SC 29201
Contact 1: Peggy Simons, Program Coordinator
Phone: 803-737-3476
Email: psimons@che.sc.gov
Contact 2: Stacey Price, Program Coordinator
Phone: 803-737-7781
Email: sprice@che.sc.gov
Website: South Carolina State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement
Mail:
Tennessee Higher Education Commission
312 Rosa L. Parks Ave, 9th FL
Nashville, TN 37243
Contact: Julie Woodruff, Assistant Executive Director and Lead Attorney for DPSA
Phone: 615-253-8857
Email: julie.woodruff@tn.gov
Website: State Authorization Agreement by Tennessee Higher Education Commission
Mail:
State Council of Higher Education for Virginia
101 N 14th St, 9th Floor
Richmond, VA 23219
Contact: Darlene Derricott, Director of Academic Services
Phone: 804-225-2600
Email: julie.woodruff@tn.gov
Website: NC-Sara Contact Information for the Virginia State Council of Higher Education
Mail:
Vermont Agency of Education
1 National Life Drive, Davis 5
Montpelier, VT 05620-2501
Contact: Patricia Pallas Gray
Phone: 802-823-3991
Email: julie.woodruff@tn.gov
Website: NC-Sara Contact Information for the Vermont State Council of Higher Education
Mail:
Washington Student Achievement Council
917 Lakeridge Way SW
Olympia, WA 98504-3430
Contact: Sam Loftin, J.D., Director of Consumer Protection
Phone: 360-753-7866
Email: saml@wsac.wa.gov
Website: Washington Student Achievement Council NC-Sara Contact Information
U.S. Department of Education
Like all accredited institutions, Goodwin University adheres to all federal regulations regarding academic process and procedures. One of them is the final regulations for accreditation and state authorization by the U.S. Department of Education. Part of this regulation expands the protection of students enrolled in programs leading to professional licenses. According to this federal rule, the University is required to disclose whether or not an academic program meets a different state's educational requirements for licensure or certification.
Based on the above legislation, Goodwin University states the following: when you become a Goodwin University student, you are responsible for checking licensure requirements in your state of residence. These requirements and rules vary state by state. If you move to a new state, you are responsible for ensuring our program is approved in this new state.
Select a program below to view information on licensure boards in other states. Our prospective and current students should contact these state boards in order to determine of whether or not their program at Goodwin meets licensure and/or certificate requirements in different State(s).