State Authorization for Distance Education
Carolina University offers distance education in accordance with the regulations of the United States Department of Education and the regulations of each state or territory.
Carolina University has been approved to participate in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA), which aids in remedying inconsistencies among state regulations and aids in satisfying consistent customer protection by centralizing the authorization process. NC-SARA is a voluntary agreement among member states and U.S. territories that establishes comparable national standards for interstate offering of postsecondary distance education courses and programs. The intent is to make it easier for students to take online courses that are being offered by postsecondary institutions in other states. You can read more about NC-SARA at nc-sara.org. Verification of approval by SARA to offer online courses can be found by visiting nc-sara.org.
Accreditation
Carolina University is accredited by the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools. For more information on this accrediting agency, please email them at info@tracs.org, call 434-525-9539. The address is:
TRACS
15935 Forest Road
Forest, Virginia 24551
State Authorizations
State Authorization is a legal issue dealing with a university’s adherence to state requirements for universities to secure authorization to offer instruction in that state. Compliance with individual state requirements is now part of the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008, Amended in 2010. Institutions offering distance education courses or programs must provide current and prospective students with the contact information for filing complaints with the university, its accrediting agency, and the state agencies that handle complaints in the students' state of residence.
Carolina University has been approved by the State of North Carolina to participate in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA). NC-SARA is a voluntary, agreement among its member states and U.S. territories that establishes comparable national standards for interstate offering of postsecondary distance education courses and programs. It is intended to make it easier for students to take online courses offered in other states, to give them confidence that programs in other states are properly authorized and thus to improve the quality of online education.
The National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) oversees SARA. Forty-nine (49) states (all except California) and the District of Columbia currently participate in NC-SARA, (NC-SARA Mission Statement). NC-SARA operates under the authority of four regional education compacts: the Midwestern Higher Education Compact, the New England Board of Higher Education, the Southern Regional Board, and the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education. North Carolina is one of 16 states in the Southern Regional Board compact.
Carolina University was approved by SARA-North Carolina to participate in NC-SARA. Though California is not a member of SARA, Carolina University is able to offer online education in this state by means of exemption from authorization.
Student Complaint Process
Prior to any formal complaint, students are encouraged to seek an informal resolution of their complaint directly with the employee, faculty, and/or individuals involved. Often a problem may be resolved in this informal manner. In the unfortunate event that a resolution is not achieved, students may follow the complaint process and submit an online complaint form or email a PDF complaint form to the Office of the Registrar
Mrs. Sharon Ward
Registrar's Office
420 S. Broad St.
Winston-Salem, NC 27101
Telephone: 336-297-7911
Email: registrar@carolinau.edu
Out-of-state students who wish to file a complaint with their home state should refer to the State Authorization Liaisons Per State responsible for handling complaints.
NC Post-Secondary Education Complaint Procedures
If a complaint cannot be resolved through the University's complaint process, students may file a complaint with the North Carolina Post-Secondary Education Complaints unit. Please review the NC Post-Secondary Education Student Complaint Policy (also available on their webpage), print and complete the NC Post-Secondary Education Complaint Form, and submit the complaint to:
North Carolina Post-Secondary Education Complaints
c/o Student Complaints
University of North Carolina System Office
223 S. West Street, Suite 1800
Raleigh NC 27603
Phone: (919) 962-4550
Website: https://www.northcarolina.edu/post-secondary-education-complaints/
TRACS Student Complaint Process
Carolina University is accredited by the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS). Any student who has already followed the Complaint Procedures and feels the issue is not resolved, may contact TRACS.
Students should follow the TRACS Complaint Policy and complete the TRACS Complaint Form.
Transnational Association of Christian Colleges & Schools (TRACS)
15935 Forest Road
Forest, Virginia 24551
Telephone: (434) 525-9539
Email: info@tracs.org
Website: tracs.org
SARA-NC Complaint Process and Information
Students may also file a complaint through SARA-NC. SARA-NC is the portal for North Carolina.
SARA North Carolina
North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority
P.O. Box 41349
Raleigh, NC 27629
Telephone: (855) 727-2162
Telephone: (919) 549-8614, ext. 4667
Email: complaint@saranc.org
Website: saranc.org
Student Complaint Information by State
Licensure & Certifications Disclosure