State Authorization for Online Learning

U.S. Department of Education regulation 600.9(c) State Authorization requires that if an institution offers distance education or online courses in a state where it is not physically located, it must meet individual state requirements for offering distance or correspondence education within that state.

Mitchell Community College has been approved to participate in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA), a voluntary, regional approach to state oversight of postsecondary distance education.

As a result, Mitchell Community College is authorized to offer distance education courses to students in other states participating in NC-SARA, which includes Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands but excludes California. A list of those participating states is included in the dropdown menu below.

NC-SARA States

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	Puerto Rico	Rhode Island
South Carolina	South Dakota	Tennessee	Texas
Utah	Vermont	Virginia	Washington
West Virginia	Wisconsin	Wyoming

Student Complaints

If you reside in a state not on this list, you are not eligible to register for distance education courses at Mitchell Community College. Depending on the outcome of further discussion regarding this regulation, the College could notify students residing in particular states that they are not eligible to register for distance education courses.

If you have questions, please contact our admissions office at admissions@mitchellcc.edu.

Mitchell Community College fully complies with Title 34 CFR 668.43 (b) by providing all enrolled and prospective students access to documents detailing our accreditation and State, Federal, and tribal approvals or licenses.

We prioritize transparency so you can make informed decisions about your education. Additionally, we provide contact information for filing complaints with our accreditor, State approval or licensing entities, and other relevant agencies.

We are committed to resolving complaints fairly and promptly. This commitment is essential for students living outside of North Carolina attending Mitchell. If you have a complaint, you can rely on Mitchell’s Grievance/Complaint Procedure for a transparent and efficient resolution process.

Mitchell Community College's Student Grievance / Complaint Procedure

Mitchell Community College provides a grievance and complaint procedure to help students formally address concerns about faculty, staff, or administration. Students may file a complaint regarding the following:

Alleged discrimination based on age, sex, race, ability, or other conditions
Sexual harassment
Academic matters (excluding individual grades unless related to discrimination)
Failure to comply with the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) requirement

The Student Handbook (page 23) outlines the grievance and complaint procedure. To initiate a review, students must complete this form and submit it to the Vice President for Student Services, who will respond within five business days.

For questions about the grievance or complaint process, contact:

Dr. Daniel JJ McEachern
Vice President for Student Services
500 W. Broad St, Statesville, NC 28677
Telephone: (704) 878-3281
Email: dmceachern@mitchellcc.edu

Grade Appeals: Students who wish to appeal a course grade should contact:

Mr. Randy Ledford
Vice President for Academic Affairs and Institutional Effectiveness
Email: rledford@mitchellcc.edu
Phone: (704) 878-3264

If students cannot resolve a complaint about Mitchell Community College’s compliance with SARA requirements through the college’s grievance process, they may file a complaint with SARA-NC (State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement-North Carolina).

SARA-NC Student Complaint Process

The North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority (NCSEAA) serves as the SARA portal entity for North Carolina, and it has the responsibilities defined by the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements. If Mitchell’s Grievance/Complaint Procedure did not resolve the student’s complaint concerning SARA, the students should follow the SARA-NC Complaint Process and use the SARA-NC Complaint Form.

Submit complaints to:

North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority
c/o SARA – North Carolina
PO Box 41349
Raleigh, NC 27629
Telephone: (855) SARA-1-NC (727-2162), toll free
Telephone: (919) 248-4667, local
Fax: (919) 248-6667
Email: complaint@saranc.org
Website: www.saranc.org

SARA-NC State Portal Director
Terrence R. Scarborough, M.P.A.
SARA-NC State Portal Director
North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority
P.O. Box 41349
Raleigh, NC 27629
Telephone: (919) 549-8614, ext. 4667
Email: terrence@saranc.org

SACSCOC Student Complaint Process

Mitchell Community College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate degrees. Mitchell Community College also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels.

Questions about the accreditation of Mitchell Community College 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.

Students can file a complaint against an accredited SACSCOC institution by completing and sending print copies of the Commission’s Complaint Form to the President, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097.

To access the Commission’s complaint policy, procedures, and the Complaint Form, please see Complaint Procedures Against the Commission or Its Accredited Institutions. Please review the Complaint Procedures Against the Commission or Its Accredited Institutions for guidance about filing a complaint.

Once a complaint is submitted, SACSCOC will respond to the complainant in writing within 21 calendar days about the status of the submission (incomplete and additional information is required or acknowledging receipt of complete complaint). Complainants who submit incomplete complaints may submit additional information within 30 calendar days of delivery of the confirmation letter from SACSCOC. SACSCOC will respond to complete complaints within 60 calendar days.

SACSCOC only addresses complaints pertaining to the standards of accreditation found in the Principles of Accreditation: Foundations for Quality Enhancement (pdf).

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
1866 Southern Lane
Decatur, GA 30033
Telephone: (404) 679.4500
Website: www.sacscoc.org

Filing a Complaint in Your Home State

Students may file a complaint with their home state of residency. For more information, please visit the Student Complaint Information by State and Agency or contact their home State Portal Entity Liaisons.

NC Post-Secondary Education Complaint Process

A student may file a complaint with the North Carolina Post-Secondary Education Complaints unit by completing the NC Post-Secondary Education Student Complaint Online Form. Any questions about the process can be emailed to studentcomplaint@northcarolina.edu.

For more information, contact:

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
Telephone: (919) 962-4550
Website: https://www.northcarolina.edu/post-secondary-education-complaints/

Professional Licensure - General Disclosure

In addition to the institution’s accreditation, some programs offered at Mitchell Community College can lead to participants earning a license or certification. These programs have earned accreditation by industry-specific accrediting bodies.

Beginning July 1, 2020, the U.S. Department of Education regulations require disclosures for all programs leading to a license or certification. Disclosures will be provided for all states and will indicate whether the program meets the state’s educational requirements for licensure or certification or does not meet the state’s educational requirements for licensure or certification.

The U.S. Department of Education provides information about most licensed professions by state. For any occupations not listed on the U.S. Department of Education webpage, search online using the name of the profession, the word “license,” and the state’s name.

If you are considering a program at Mitchell Community College that leads to licensure or certification and do not live in North Carolina, please contact the individual below who corresponds to your desired program.

Allied Health

Automotive

Cosmetic Arts

Education

Health Sciences

Notary

Public Safety

Real Estate