Dyersburg State Community College is a member of NC-SARA. The National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) is an agreement among member states, districts, and territories that establishes comparable national standards for interstate postsecondary distance education.
NC-SARA
National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements
Why does DSCC participate in NC-SARA?
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- NC-SARA improves distance education program quality nationwide.
- NC-SARA makes it easier for students to access distance education programs across state lines.
- NC-SARA reduces costs and bureaucracy for states and institutions.
- NC-SARA improves coordination between states for higher education opportunities.
- NC-SARA provides valuable oversight of distance education programs.
- NC-SARA shares out-of-state learning experience data like clinical hours and practice teaching.
Professional Licensure Programs
Dyersburg State Community College offers courses, associate degree and certificate programs that may lead to professional licensure and/or certification. Students who complete one of the programs of study listed below at Dyersburg State Community College have met the curricular requirements to apply for credentialing or licensure in Tennessee. Prior to enrolling in any program at Dyersburg State Community College, prospective students living and/or working outside of Tennessee should confirm with the appropriate licensing or certifying agency whether successful completion of the program will meet the credentialing requirement of the state in which they intend to see employment. Students should carefully review the specific academic requirements for their chosen program, as well as any prequalification requirements for licensure. Please be advised that state laws, regulations and policies may change at any time and these changes could impact the program’s ability to meet educational requirements for licensure or certification. TBR institutions must provide public and direct disclosures per 34 CFR 668.43(a)(5)(v) and NC-SARA policy. Students can view state-by-state determinations on our Program Licensure Disclosure page or reach out to the program coordinator for more information.
Complaint Policies for Distance Education Students
The below policies apply to students who are:
- non-Tennessee residents in State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (“SARA”) states and who are enrolled in a distance education program/course or
- who are attending an out-of-state learning placement in a SARA state.
The nature of complaints to be addressed through these policies include violations of SARA policies and dishonest or fraudulent activity. These policies do not apply to complaints concerning student grades or student conduct violations. For more information on complaint subject matter see SARA Policy Manual Sections 4.2 and 4.3.
Institution Complaint Policies
In the event that a student’s educational experience is not what they anticipated, they may have a concern or complaint. Students have the right to lodge a complaint or grievance. The institution is responsible for ensuring that all complaints are addressed fairly and resolved promptly. Dyersburg State Community College students can find more information on the student complaint process in the DSCC Student Handbook. Student complaints relating to consumer protection laws offered under the terms and conditions of the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) must first be filed with the institution to seek resolution. If a resolution is not found, the student would contact the institution’s home state SARA Portal Entity. NC-SARA maintains an up-to-date directory of SARA State Portal Entities. Each quarter, SARA State Portal Entities report the status of all complaints to NC-SARA and these complaints are listed on the NC-SARA website by state. Normal inquiries or concerns such as those involving admission requirements, financial aid, educational programs, etc. should be addressed directly to the appropriate office at Dyersburg State Community College.
Additional Complaint Policies
- Tennessee Higher Education Commission (“THEC”)
- Students (as described above) must complete the institution complaint process before appealing to THEC.
- Students who are not satisfied with the institution’s resolution of their complaint may appeal the institution decision to THEC using the Request for Complaint Review form. Additional information on the THEC complaint process is available at THEC Complaint Review Process. Students may also contact RCD@tn.gov with questions.
- The appeal to THEC must be filed within two (2) years of the incident about which the complaint is made.
- Out-of-state student may also contact their home state higher education authority; although student may be referred to THEC. See State Portal Entity Contacts | NC-SARA for a listing of SARA states and contacts.
- Students residing in non-SARA states, currently California only, should consult their respective state of residence for further instructions for filing a complaint.
- Any person claiming damage or loss as a result of any act or practice by an authorized postsecondary educational institution or its agent that is a violation of Title 49, Chapter 7, Part 20 or Rule Chapters 1540-01-02 or 1540-01-10, may file a complaint with THEC after exhausting the institution complaint process. More information is available at THEC Complaint Review Process, 312 Rosa Parks Ave., 9th Floor, Nashville, TN, 37243, (615) 741-3605. Students may also contact RCD@tn.gov with questions.
Accreditation
Dyersburg State Community College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate degrees and certificates. Questions about the accreditation of Dyersburg State 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, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (http://www.sacscoc.org/).
Students who file a complaint with the accrediting agency should follow the SACSCOC Complaint Procedure.
Continuity Plans
Dyersburg State Community College has multiple measures to ensure the college can operate effectively in a crisis. Dyersburg State Community College follows all SACSCOC required standards for Closing a Program, Site, Branch, or Institution using the campus Substantive Change Policy, SACSCOC Policy. The school’s Emergency Preparedness Plan (EPP) is designed to deal with actual or potential emergencies or crises on campus. Contact DSCC Chief of Campus Police & Security, for more information. DSCC has partnered with the National Student Clearinghouse to provide an electronic transcript request option.
