The College Catalog documents the approach to interactions between the College and students, administration, staff, and faculty. It provides guidance on how policies and processes function within the framework of an academic environment and supports students and faculty in understanding the protocols established by governance and regulatory agencies. Given this established purpose, additional guidance may be required for specific situations and events. General information and definitions are provided below.
When decisions are made and a dispute arises, students have the opportunity of seeking an appeal.
Admissions Appeal
Potential students have the right to appeal a decision in regards to their admission to the College. An applicant appealing a decision should submit a written request with a full description of the rationale and supporting evidence as to why an admissions appeal should be granted. Complete the Admissions Appeal form provided by contacting Enrollment or Admissions.
Appeal and Complaint
American College of Education provides fair, consistent, and equitable procedures for addressing student appeals and complaints. If issues arise, students are expected to attempt to resolve them informally with faculty, staff, or other administrators in the department where the matter originated. Many concerns may be quickly and satisfactorily resolved by simple clarification or guidance.
What is an appeal versus a complaint?
Appeal
- Definition: An appeal is when a student formally asks for a decision to be reconsidered.
- Example: A student may appeal their final grade if they believe there was an error in how the grade was calculated.
- Goal: To challenge a specific decision that directly affects the student.
Complaint
- Definition: A complaint is when a student reports a concern or dissatisfaction about a service, process, or behavior they experienced.
- Example: A student may submit a complaint if Disability Support Services have approved them for specific accommodations based on a documented disability, and their professor has not abided by the approved accommodations.
- Goal: To raise awareness of a problem and seek a resolution or improvement.
Issues for which an appeal may be submitted
Students may submit an appeal when they disagree with a decision that has been made. Appeals may be submitted for a variety of issues, including but not limited to the following:
- A final grade (as outlined in the section of the catalog under Final Grade Appeal).
- An academic decision or action that negatively impacts a student.
- Prior student conduct violation decision, academic integrity violation decision, or other disciplinary decision.
- Payment extension requests. Students may request a payment extension no more than three times during their entire enrollment with the College.
Issues for which a complaint may be submitted
Students may submit a complaint when they have concerns about a process, action, or experience that they believe was inappropriate, unfair, or inconsistent with stated policies. Complaints may be submitted for a variety of issues, including but not limited to the following:
- Perceived incorrect or inconsistent application of policies by college personnel.
- Approved accommodations that are not being implemented by faculty.
- Perceived harassment or misconduct in any form.
- Perceived discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, or disability in admissions, employment, or the provision of services.
Issues for which an appeal or complaint is not eligible
- Graduation requirements, including requirements for academic recognition.
- Courses deemed non-transferable to ACE for the following reasons:
- Time expiration (e.g., the course was completed more than ten years ago)
- Insufficient grade (e.g., the student did not earn the minimum required grade)
- Course level mismatch (e.g., undergraduate-level credit applying for a master’s program)
- Institutional accreditation (e.g., the transfer institution is not accredited)
- Non-transferable course designation (e.g., specific introductory or first-term courses, program-specific courses, or research-based courses that are not eligible for transfer)
- Status change because of not meeting the Satisfactory Academic Progress (Warning/Probation/Dismissal) requirements.
- Grade Point Average (GPA) progression status.
- Grade appeals submitted more than ten (10) business days after the course closed.
- Exceeding the maximum number of course repeat attempts unless it is a Dissertation Chapter course (RES6521, RES6531, RES6541, RES6551, RES6561).
- Removing a grade from the student’s record (e.g., removing a “W” grade).
- Registration holds, re-entry, and re-admittance due to delinquent payment of any sum under any financing option.
- Re-entry and re-admittance after expulsion from ACE.
- Appeal or complaint escalation requests submitted more than ten (10) business days after a student’s notification of a program, department, or college notification.
Non-Retaliation Assurance
Students will not be subject to any adverse action or retaliation for filing an appeal or complaint in good faith.
Misuse of Appeal or Complaint Procedure
If a student is found to be making unfounded accusations to retaliate against a faculty or staff member or is otherwise misusing this procedure in violation of ACE’s Student Conduct Policy, disciplinary measures may be enforced following appropriate disciplinary action, in accordance with established ACE policies and procedures.
Appeal and Complaint Procedure
To initiate an appeal or complaint, students must submit the designated form through the MyACE Portal. The appeal or complaint must include:
- A clear explanation of the grounds for the appeal or complaint.
- Any supporting documentation or evidence.
The appropriate department leader will review and render a final decision within ten (10) business days. A student will be notified of the decision via their official ACE email address.
Escalation Request
As outlined in a student’s appeal decision letter, in some instances, a student may request that the decision be escalated for further review. Escalation requests are not granted automatically, as they must be well-reasoned and demonstrate that at least one of the following criteria exists:
- The student provides new evidence or documentation that was not available when the initial decision was reached, and the documentation is potentially sufficient to alter the original decision.
- There was a significant procedural error during the appeal process that may have affected the original appeal decision.
Please note the following:
- Any escalated requests must be submitted no later than ten (10) business days after the original appeal decision is reached.
- Requests submitted after the deadline or without documentation may be automatically denied.
- Requests to revisit an initial appeal decision based solely on disagreement with the outcome will not be considered.
- The following types of requests cannot be escalated:
- Final Grade Appeals
- Multiple Course Requests
- Payment Extension Requests
- Transfer Credit Requests
Requests involving medical issues:
- For escalation requests involving medical circumstances (physical or mental health), the supporting documentation must come from a licensed medical professional, be provided on official letterhead, include the provider’s contact information, clearly state the nature and timing of the condition as it relates to the request, and be signed by the provider.
- Please note that such documentation will be considered, but it does not solely determine the outcome of the request.
Escalation Procedures
Escalation requests will be reviewed by the appropriate college leader (e.g., College Support Services, Provost’s Office, or a designated individual). A written decision will be issued within ten (10) business days of receipt of the escalation request. A student will be notified of the decision via their official ACE email address.
An escalation request decision is final and is not subject to further review or appeal.
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