State Authorization

The U.S. Department of Education, through its reauthorization of the Higher Education Act, released regulation '600.9(c) State Authorization' in October 2010 requiring institutions that offer distance education in a state where it is not physically located meet individual state requirements. This regulation applies to distance education courses for students who reside outside the state of Arizona. Lack of compliance to this regulation can result in loss of federal financial aid, accreditation and additional penalties.

The State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) is an agreement among member states, districts and territories that establishes comparable national standards for interstate offering of postsecondary distance education courses and programs. Arizona was approved as a State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) state effective November 2014. Yavapai College was approved as a SARA member institution in October 2015. This means that YC has reciprocity approval for distance students in other SARA approved states.

Student Grievance Review Process

Yavapai College is committed to providing a valuable distance learning experience for our students. The primary purpose of the Student Code of Conduct is to set forth the rules and standards of conduct expected of students and others who join the College community. A student has the right to lodge a complaint on any campus regarding an event that occurs at any other district site.

Academic Complaints Process

A student may appeal an academic or instructional decision by faculty if s/he deems the decision to be made in error.

Non-Academic Complaints Process

The Yavapai College process for non-academic complaints is to be used for issues other than disciplinary or academic matters and provides students protection against unwarranted infringement of their rights. A non-academic student complaint may concern an alleged violation of college policies, infringement of student rights, and other such problems dealing with students, college staff and faculty, and authorized college activities.

Distance Education students outside of Arizona, after completion of the institution’s internal complaint process, may appeal SARA related complaints to the Arizona Community College Coordinating Council (AC4).

AZ SARA Complaint Process

The Arizona SARA Council has jurisdiction over Arizona SARA approved institutions regarding non-instructional complaints for distance education students. Upon completion of the institution’s and AC4’s complaint process, a student may register a complaint with the Arizona SARA Council. Visit the AZ SARA Complaint Process website for more information. For students who are residents of states outside of Arizona, consumer inquiries also may be directed to the following Consumer Protection Agency of the state in which they reside.

Professional Licensure

Yavapai College provides disclosures through a good faith effort whether a degree or certificate program meets academic requirements for professional licensure or certification outside of Arizona. The Professional Licensure by State table identifies whether professional licensure:

  • Meets applicable professional licensure requirements;
  • Does not meet applicable professional licensure requirements; or
  • Have not been able to determine whether a program meets the professional licensure requirements.

Please see the Notice to Students Regarding Professional Licensure and Certification for more information on the General Disclosure Statement (34 CFR 668.43).

Questions? Please Contact:

Yavapai College adheres to the 21st Century Distance Education Guidelines for best practices in postsecondary distance education developed by leading practitioners of distance education and adopted by the Council of Regional Accrediting Commissions (C-RAC).

Higher Learning Commission Complaint Resolution

Yavapai College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association. Students who have concerns regarding Yavapai College’s compliance with the Commission’s Criteria for Accreditation may contact them to address their concerns. You can find more information at Complaints Against an Affiliated Institution.
  • 230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
  • Chicago, Illinois 60604-1411
  • 1-800-621-7440

Please visit NC SARA, AZ SARA, and W-SARA for more information.