Accreditation
Virginia Commonwealth University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral degrees. Virginia Commonwealth University also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of Virginia Commonwealth University may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).
For additional information, please visit the Accreditation webpage on the Office of the Provost website.
State Authorization
If you plan to be in a state other than Virginia while taking courses at VCU, please note that state regulations in each state determine whether VCU may enroll you in a course or program.
NC-SARA MEMBER STATES
VCU participates in the National Council of State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA), which allows students from NC-SARA member states to enroll in VCU’s programs. If you have any questions about our NC-SARA status, please contact depolicy@vcu.edu.
NON-SARA STATES & TERRITORIES
California
Currently, the only U.S. state that is not participating in NC-SARA is California. The California Bureau of Private Postsecondary Education does not regulate out-of-state public institutions; therefore, approval for VCU to offer distance education activities is not required.
U.S. Territories
The following U.S. territories are not participating in NC-SARA: American Samoa, Guam, Marshall Islands, Federal States of Micronesia, Northern Mariana Islands, and Palau. If the territory you will reside in while taking online courses at VCU is not participating in NC-SARA, please contact depolicy@vcu.edu. We will assist you and determine if the regulations where you are located permit your enrollment at VCU.
Note: If your location of residence changes to a state or territory where VCU does not meet state requirements, then you may be ineligible for certain financial aid, including from Title IV and HEA funds.
Complaint Resolution Process
VCU’s Student Code of Conduct Policy stipulates that the term “student” includes all persons taking courses through VCU, either full-time or part-time, online or in-person, single or dual-enrolled, pursuing undergraduate, graduate or professional studies.
Students who have a complaint related to an online course or program should take the following steps:
- Based on the nature of the complaint, follow the student complaint resolution process for the applicable policy in the VCU Policy Library.
- The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) retains oversight to coordinate the resolution of complaints from students enrolled under the auspices of NC-SARA. For complaints against the university or its officials that remain unresolved after following all applicable university processes, students may follow the SCHEV complaint process and contact them at (804) 225-2600. Please note that complaints about grades or conduct may not be appealed to SCHEV.
Note: Students who live outside of Virginia in an NC-SARA member state should follow the complaint resolution process detailed in step 1 and step 2 above. Additionally, students may file a complaint by using the out-of-state complaint information.
NON-SARA STATE COMPLAINTS
After exhausting internal avenues, students residing outside of Virginia in non-SARA member states or territories may file a formal complaint with their home state authorizing agency by using the information below:
California:
The California complaint procedures are available on the Department of Consumer Affairs website. Students may contact them at (833) 942-1120 or dca@dca.ca.gov.
Territories:
The following U.S. territories are not participating in NC-SARA: American Samoa, Guam, Marshall Islands, Federal States of Micronesia, Northern Mariana Islands, and Palau. If you are located in one of these U.S. territories, you may use the out-of-state complaint information to file a complaint.
Disclosures
Adverse action by Accrediting Agency
VCU distance education programs have not been subject to any adverse actions from any accrediting agency in the past five calendar years.
Adverse action by State Agency
VCU distance education programs have not been subject to any adverse actions from any state agency in the past five calendar years.
Refund Policies
VCU’s refund policies are located in the policy library and Student Accounting website. If you have questions, please contact student accounting at (804) 828-2228 or stuacctg@vcu.edu.
Complaint Procedures
Information on how to file a complaint is located in the complaint procedures section above.
Authorization
VCU’s authorization to operate distance education programs outside of Virginia is detailed in the State Authorization section above.
Privacy Policies for Online Students
Virginia Commonwealth University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral degrees.
Student Privacy (FERPA) and VCU Student Privacy Statement
Professional Licensure
Requirements for licensure vary from one profession to another and from state to state. Faculty and administrators in VCU’s academic programs leading to professional licensure help students learn about licensure in a variety of ways. Advisors and clinical coordinators, for example, typically engage students in written and verbal explorations of the professional licensure requirements throughout the program. Some programs include academic units designed to teach students how to comply with professional licensure requirements.
To determine whether or not the program you’re interested in meets the licensing requirements in the state in which you’re located, please visit the professional licensure disclosures webpage or contact the program directly.