State Authorization Requirements and Complaint Resolution

Overview

Online and distance education is an important part of Goucher College’s Robert S. Welch Center for Graduate and Professional Studies. The center offers seven master’s degree programs, including five programs offered in low–residency, distance learning formats. Recent regulations enacted by the U.S. Department of Education will have an impact on distance education and online providers such as Goucher. The relevant language provides:

If an institution is offering postsecondary education through distance or correspondence education to students in a State in which it is not physically located or in which it is otherwise subject to State jurisdiction as determined by the State, the institution must meet any State requirements for it to be legally offering postsecondary distance or correspondence education in that State. An institution must be able to document to the Secretary the State's approval upon request. http://tinyurl.com/47vxesx

What Goucher is Doing

Goucher College is working in cooperation with state agencies throughout the country to comply with these new regulations so that we can continue providing educational access to students across the country. The process of evaluating and complying with these recent regulatory changes is on-going and we will provide up-to-date information as it becomes available. Because of these new regulations, however, Goucher has temporarily put a hold on admissions in the following states, while it works towards compliance in those states.  Please check back frequently for updates.  

Alabama
Wisconsin

In addition, on-site internship placements are not currently available in the following states:

Connecticut
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Massachusetts
New Hampshire
New Mexico
Nevada
North Carolina
Ohio
Oregon
Rhode Island
Texas
Washington                                                                                                                                       

On-line placements in these states may be available. Consult your academic advisor for assistance in locating an appropriate placement.

Complaint Resolution

In compliance with the new regulations, an institution offering distance education must provide enrolled and prospective students with contact information for filing complaints with its accrediting agency and with the appropriate state agency for handling complaints in the student's state.

Goucher College Accreditation
Goucher College is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. The Commission has authorized Goucher to offer baccalaureate and master’s degrees and post baccalaureate and professional graduate certificates. Click here for information about filing a complaint with MSCHE.

Goucher Student Grievance Procedure
Goucher College has a Student Grievance Procedure that you are encouraged to utilize. For information or questions about this procedure, contact Barbara Stob, Assistant General Counsel, 410-337-6011, bstob@goucher.edu.

Complaint resolution contacts by state
In compliance with Federal Department of Education regulations, click this link for information about filing consumer complaints in the states in which Goucher offers distance education programs.

If you need additional assistance in locating state complaint procedures, please contact Barbara Stob, Assistant General Counsel, 410-337-6011, bstob@goucher.edu.

More information

WCET summary of requirements
WCET has compiled a summary of what states and institutions need to do to meet the new federal regulations.