Last Updated November 11, 2024
Grievance Procedures
The U.S. Department of Education requires that institutions comply with all institutional authorization and licensure requirements in every state in which the institution offers distance education programs and degrees. Institutions are also required to provide current and prospective students with information on how and where to file complaints.
Our goal at UoPeople is to deliver our online degree programs in every state in the U.S. While most states do not require specific authorization or licensure for students residing in their state to enroll in our online programs, many states closely regulate distance learning and unfortunately in some of these states the process is lengthy, complex and expensive. From time to time we receive inquiries from students who wish to enroll in our degree programs and do not understand why we cannot process their applications. Know that we are working diligently on this issue and recommend that you check this page frequently for changes and updates.
Note that if you are seeking a degree that may lead to a professional license in your state of residence, we highly recommend that you contact your state’s licensing agency before enrolling at UoPeople. UoPeople cannot ensure that its programs meet the qualifications of each and every licensing board in the U.S.
UoPeople makes every effort to provide a positive learning environment for all students and numerous resources exist to assist you in meeting your educational goals. We encourage you to explore all of the support services that we have established for your benefit before filing a complaint. We are aware, however, that challenges may arise in any event. The list below is aimed at assisting you in navigating your options for the resolution of any concerns you may have about UoPeople and its academic programs. It provides contact information for every state in which UoPeople enrolls students, including the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.
Note that this list should not be construed as informative of agency regulation, where UoPeople is licensed or in which states UoPeople is required to be licensed.
Your Right to Withdraw Consent under the GDPR
According to the European legislation on General Data Protection which has come into effect on May 25th, 2018, our data subjects are afforded several individual rights that you should be aware of, including the right to withdraw your consent from processing activities. University of the People is fully committed to upholding these rights and ensuring the safety of your data. If you would like a description of your rights under the GDPR, please see our Privacy Policy, and read the relevant legislation. If you would like to withdraw your consent from processing activities by University of the People, please click here. UoPeople Grievance Procedures Although you have the option of filing a complaint with an outside agency, keep in mind that most states will require that you first attempt to resolve your issue directly with the University. If you have an issue or concern about your experience with UoPeople, we encourage you to contact us directly at student.affairs@uopeople.edu. UoPeople Grievance Procedures can be found on page 36 of the UoPeople Undergraduate Catalog and page 30 of the UoPeople Graduate Catalog.
University of the People is accredited by the Distance Education and Accrediting Commission (DEAC), a national educational accreditation agency recognized by the Council for High Education Accreditation and the U.S. Department of Education. The DEAC is located at 1601 18th Street, N.W., Suite 2, Washington, D.C. 2009, (202) 234-5100. Click here to view UoPeople’s DEAC Consumer Information Disclosure Form Click here to view how to file an accreditation-related complaint with the DEAC.
Registering a Complaint with a State* If your issue cannot be resolved directly with UoPeople, you may file a complaint with the appropriate agency in your state of residence:
Alabama Complaints against out-of-state institutions are handled by the Alabama Department of Postsecondary Education, P.O. Box 302130, Montgomery, AL 36130, Street Address: 135 South Union Street, Montgomery, AL 36104-4340, Phone: (334) 293-4500, Fax: (334) 293-4504.
Alaska Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education, Attn: Kierke Kussart, Program Coordinator for Institutional Authorization, P.O. Box 110505, Juneau, Alaska 99811-0505. Phone: (907) 465-6741, Fax: (907) 465-5316, Email: EED.ACPE-IA@alaska.gov.
Arizona Arizona State Board for Private Postsecondary Education, Attn: Keith Blanchard, Deputy Director, 1740 W. Adams St. Suite 3008, Phoenix, AZ 8500 (602) 542-5709.
Arkansas Department of Higher Education Grievance form: https://www.adhe.edu/students-parents/colleges-universites/student-grievance-form/ 423 Main St, Little Rock, AR 72201, USA +1 501-371-2000
Maryland Higher Education Commission, 6 North Liberty Street, 10th Floor, Baltimore, MD 21201, Phone: 410-767-3300, Email: collegiatecomplaint.mhec@maryland.gov, Website: Student Complaints Form