State-specific complaint process
Columbia College is authorized, exempt, certified, licensed, registered or not required to seek approval in all states to offer programs. Please visit the state regulatory information page for specific details related to agency complaint contact information for each state.
Columbia College complaint process
As part of Columbia College's (College) commitment to quality, the College values feedback from its students and believes students should be able to discuss problems or concerns free from dress or retaliation. The College is committed to providing students with an avenue to work with College officials toward amicable resolutions. The College believes engaging in this process can also be an inherently valuable educational experience for students and can help prepare students to address issues in a professional and productive manner after they leave the College. Columbia College's policies and procedures for student complaints are listed below.
- General Student Complaint Policy
- Title IX and the Sexual Harassment Policy
- Non-Discrimination and Equal Opportunity Policy
- ADA/Section 504 Grievance Policy
- External Agency and Entity Complaint Reporting Policy
The Ombuds
On occasion, a student may believe that processes have not adequately been followed and/or there has been inequitable application of written College policies or procedures (including syllabi, handbooks, and the College catalog); state consumer protection laws (including, but not limited to, fraud and false advertising); alleged violations of state laws or rules relating to the licensure of postsecondary institutions; and complaints relating to the quality of education or other state regulatory requirements. In these instances, the student may contact the Ombuds with details of the process followed and concerns with the application of policy or procedure.
Dr. Victoria Steel, Director of Institutional Compliance, is the Ombuds contact for Columbia College. The Ombuds will coordinate investigations with appropriate parties related to compliance with standards of practice, stated policies, procedures, and regulations. For such matters, please email CCCompliance@ccis.edu or call (573) 875-7792.
Accreditation and Complaint Process
Columbia College has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 1918. The Higher Learning Commission Complaint Process is available on the Higher Learning Commission website.
State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) and Complaint Process
Columbia College has been approved to participate in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements.
State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) is a national initiative to provide more access to online courses while maintaining compliance standards with state regulatory agencies. SARA allows institutions to provide online courses outside of their own state borders by seeking and maintaining state approvals via a streamlined process. To learn more about SARA, please visit the SARA website.
Current authorized SARA member states include: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, 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 and the territories of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Department of Defense (DoD) Complaint Process
Department of Defense (DoD) and other federal agencies have partnered to create an online complaint system designed to collect feedback on problem with education institutions experienced by Veterans, Service members and their families pursuing higher education through the Post-9/11 GI Bill®, Military Tuition Assistance and other education benefit programs.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.