USC State Disclosures

As part of the state authorization process, USC is often required to make state specific information available to students. This page provides our online students a place to access any disclosures that their home state requires.

For information on USC’s accreditation, please visit the Office of the Provost Accreditation page.

For the list of states that USC is currently authorized to operate in, please see our Authorized States page.

Students looking for grievance procedures information should visit our Complaint Resolution page.

State Disclosures

Alaska

USC’s programs are exempt from authorization under AS 14.48 and 20 AAC 17.015 because the programs are online or distance delivered and do not have a physical presence in the state. 20 AAC 17.900 (a)(12) defines physical presence as presence of a facility, faculty, or staff within the state; in this paragraph, “faculty” and “staff” do not include site supervisors or mentors for local internships or practica, or adjunct personnel.

Connecticut

Relevant Student Complaints:

Pursuant to federal regulations, the Connecticut Office of Higher Education is responsible for the investigation and resolution of Out of State student complaints These can include complaints about discrimination, financial issues, program design and academic support structures.  Note that issues regarding student life, such as discipline, grading, etc., fall solely within the purview of the institution and are not generally investigated. Additionally, the Office of Higher Education does not investigate anonymous complaints or provide legal advice.

How to File Your Student Complaints:

Within two years of the incident, CT students enrolled in an out of state institution may file a complaint in accordance with the following steps:

1. You must attempt to resolve the complaint by exhausting the institution’s established internal grievance procedures. You can find these procedures here.  Absent extenuating circumstances, the Office of Higher Education will not investigate complaints filed by students who have not first sought a resolution with the institution.
2. If all remedies at the institutional level have been exhausted and the complaint is not resolved, you may file a complaint with the Office of Higher Education. To file a complaint, please follow these procedures. All documentation for review related to the complaint must be provided by the student as part of the filing.
3. The Office of Higher Education will process the complaint and provide copies of all documents filed with the complaint to the institution. The institution has 20 days to respond. After receiving a response and conducting an investigation, the Office of Higher Education will issue a findings report to all parties. The findings report is final.

All student complaints should be sent via email Emily.bjornberg@ct.gov or post to:
Emily Bjornberg,
Office of Higher Education,
450 Columbus Blvd,
Suite 707,
Hartford, CT 06105 

Georgia

Georgia students who are filing a complaint against USC should follow the standard USC student grievance procedure information. If a satisfactory resolution cannot be reached after exhausting USC’s complaint procedure, Georgia residents can file a complaint with the Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission.

https://gnpec.georgia.gov/student-resources/complaints-against-institution

Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission (GNPEC)
2082 East Exchange Place, Suite 220
Tucker, Georgia 30084
770-414-2644 | www.gnpec.georgia.gov

Indiana

This institution is regulated by: The Indiana Commission on Proprietary Education, 302 W. Washington Street, Room E201, Indianapolis, IN 46204, Toll Free Number 1-800-227-5695 or (317) 232-1320.

Iowa

USC is registered to offer distance education programs to Iowans by the Iowa Department of Education – Bureau of Iowa College Aid, 400 E 14th Street Des Moines, Iowa 50319.  Toll-free telephone number (877) 272-4456.  A student may file a complaint online at https://educate.iowa.gov/higher-ed/student-complaints

In conformity with Iowa Code § 256.183(1)(g), a student(s) who is a resident of the State of Iowa and a member, or the spouse of a member if the member has a dependent child, of the Iowa national guard or reserve forces of the United States and who is ordered to state military service or federal service or duty, shall have following options made available to them:

1. Student may withdraw from their entire registration and receive a full refund of tuition and mandatory fees.
2. Student, with the assistance of USC, may make arrangements with the student’s instructors for course grades, or for incompletes that shall be completed by the student at a later date. If such arrangements are made, the student’s registration shall remain intact and tuition and mandatory fees shall be assessed for the courses in full.

iii. Student, with the assistance of USC, may make arrangements with only some of the student’s instructors for grades, or for incompletes that shall be completed by the student at a later date. If such arrangements are made, the registration for those courses shall remain intact and tuition and mandatory fees shall be assessed for those courses. Any course for which arrangements cannot be made for grades or incompletes shall be considered dropped and the tuition and mandatory fees for the course refunded.

For additional information on USC specific procedures, please visit our Immediate Call to Active Duty page.

Masters of Arts in Teaching:

The University of Southern California Master of Arts in Teaching degree program will abide by the Iowa Code Section 261.9(1)(g) which provides options for refund of tuition and mandatory fees for an Iowan who is deployed. Further, a student seeking an Iowa educator license is advised that successful completion of this institution’s program(s) of educator preparation does not qualify a student for initial educator licensure by the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners. A candidate seeking licensure in the State of Iowa must first be licensed/certified as an educator in the state in California. This institution shall assist a candidate in contacting the appropriate licensing board in California. This institution shall assist the candidate in understanding the requirements of the appropriate licensing board prior to the candidate’s completion of this institution’s program(s) of educator preparation and will assist the candidate in obtaining their California credential contingent upon successful completion of the program. Candidates seeking subsequent licensure from the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners must contact that Board (515/281-5849; http://www.boee.iowa.gov/) for licensure requirements in Iowa.

Kansas

USC is authorized to operate in Kansas with a Certificate of Approval from the Kansas Board of Regents.
Kansas Board of Regents
1000 SW Jackson, Suite 520
Topeka, KS  66612-1368
(785)430-4240

Kansas students who are filing a complaint against USC should follow the standard USC grievance procedure information. If a satisfactory resolution cannot be reached after exhausting USC’s complaint procedure, Kansas residents may file a complaint with the Kansas Board of Regents at:
https://kansasregents.org/academic_affairs/private_out_of_state/complaint_process

Louisiana

University of Southern California is currently licensed by the Board of Regents of the State of Louisiana. Licenses are renewed by the State Board of Regents every two years. Licensed institutions have met minimal operational standards set forth by the state, but licensure does not constitute accreditation, guarantee the transferability of credit, or signify that programs are certifiable by any professional agency or organization.

Maryland

Maryland students who are filing a complaint against USC should follow the standard USC student grievance procedure information. If a satisfactory resolution cannot be reached after exhausting USC’s complaint procedure, Maryland residents can file a complaint with the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC).

Maryland Higher Education Commission
6 North Liberty Street, 10th Floor, Baltimore, MD 21201
Phone 410-767-3300
collegiatecomplaint.mhec@maryland.gov

 

Minnesota

The University of Southern California is registered with the Minnesota Office of Higher Education pursuant to Minnesota Statutes sections 136A.61 to 136A.71. Registration is not an endorsement of the institution. Credits earned at the institution may not transfer to all other institutions.” In addition, all registered schools shall publish in the school catalog or student handbook the name, street address, telephone number, and web site address of the office.

Minnesota Office of Higher Education
1450  Energy Park Dr., Suite 350
St. Paul, MN  55108

www.ohe.state.mn.us

651-642-0567

Missouri

Approved to operate by the Missouri Coordinating Board for Higher Education.

New Mexico

New Mexico students who would like to report complaints may contact the New Mexico Higher Education department at the address below:

New Mexico Higher Education Department
2044 Galisteo Street, Suite 4
Santa Fe, NM 87505
PHONE NUMBER: 505-476-8400.

North Carolina

Master of Arts in Teaching

Because teaching credential rules vary greatly by state, it is vital that you understand the licensure and practice requirements of the state in which you intend to become a licensed teacher. Completion of the Master of Arts in Teaching degree program does not guarantee teacher licensure in North Carolina public schools. Candidates should contact their local school administrative offices and the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction regarding specific initial and advanced licensure requirements in their program areas. The University of Southern California holds a tuition guaranty bond for students in North Carolina. Anyone who wishes to see a copy of the tuition guaranty bond may visit the office of the program director in the Rossier School of Education during normal business hours.

Complaints:

Students must submit complaints through the online student complaint form at https://studentcomplaints.northcarolina.edu/form, or by mail to:

North Carolina Post-Secondary Education Complaints
140 Friday Center Drive
Chapel Hill, NC 27517

Students may also visit the complaints website for additional information: https://www.northcarolina.edu/post-secondary-education-complaints/

Other Resources:

North Carolina students are welcomed to access NCLIVE, www.nclive.org, available through public libraries in North Carolina, for resources to support their education, both before and after graduation.

Oregon

Students should attempt to resolve any grievances they may have with their school first. Should attempts to resolve these problems with appropriate school officials fail, or should the student be dissatisfied with the final outcome of the college complaint process, then the Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC), can respond to a formal complaint. Students may contact the Higher Education Coordinating Commission, 3225 25th St. SE, Salem, OR 97302 or by sending an email to complaints@hecc.oregon.gov. Students may also access the HECC complaints web page.

USC follows the required Oregon Tuition Refund Policy for all Oregon residents enrolled in degree/certificate programs. For additional information, please contact USC State authorizations: stateauth@usc.edu.

USC’s Accreditor is the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Sr. Information for submitting a complaint to

WASC may be found here: https://www.wscuc.org/resources/comments/

Rhode Island

The United States Department of Education Regulation 34 CFR 600.9, the “Program Integrity Rule,” as part of its state authorization provisions, requires states to provide a process for students to file complaints relating to programs offered by postsecondary educational institutions authorized under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended. The specific types of complaints covered by these regulations are:

• Allegations of state consumer protection violations, including, but not limited to fraud and false advertising;
• Allegations that state laws or rules addressing the licensure of postsecondary institutions have been violated; and
• Allegations regarding the quality of education or other accreditation requirements.

If your complaint regards other matters, you are encouraged to seek resolution from that institution first through the institution’s internal complaint procedure. In accordance with the Council on Postsecondary Education’s Student Complaint Procedure (S-16, section I), if the institution’s internal procedure fails to resolve the complaint, the Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner will then refer the student and/or third-party individuals with complaints related to federal or state laws or regulations to the appropriate federal or state agency. In addition, students or other individuals with complaints involving an allegation of criminal and/or illegal activity will be referred to their campus police department, their local police department, or the Rhode Island State Police. Complaints involving allegations of discrimination will be referred to the institution’s Affirmative Action Office and/or Rhode Island Commission for Human Rights (or the applicable federal EEOC office).

If your complaint deals with an online course or program, the Office can help you seek resolution pursuant to the Council on Postsecondary Education’s Student Complaint Procedure (S-16, section II).

Students may File a complaint online or contact the Rhode Island Office of the Postsecondary Commission directly at:

RI Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner
560 Jefferson Boulevard, Suite 200
Warwick, RI 02886

Phone: 401-736-1100 Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM

 

Tennessee

University of Southern California is authorized by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission. This authorization must be renewed each year and is based on an evaluation by minimum standards concerning quality of education, ethical business practices, health and safety, and fiscal responsibility.

If a complaint is not settled at the institutional level, the student may contact the Tennessee Higher Education Commission, Nashville, TN 37243-0830. Telephone: 615-741-5293. If the institution uses a mediation clause in its enrollment agreement, the catalog must describe the steps required of the student and/or the institution to initiate the mediation process.

The University of Southern California is authorized for operation as a postsecondary educational institution by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission. In order to view detailed job placement and completion information on the programs offered by the University of Southern California, please visit http://www.tn.gov/thec and click on the Authorized Institutions Data button.

Credits earned at the University of Southern California may not transfer to another educational institution. Credits earned at another educational institution may not be accepted by the University of Southern California. You should obtain confirmation that the University of Southern California will accept any credits you have earned at another educational institution before you execute an enrollment contract or agreement. You should also contact any educational institutions that you may want to transfer credits earned at the University of Southern California to determine if such institutions will accept credits earned at the University of Southern California prior to executing an enrollment contract or agreement. The ability to transfer credits from the University of Southern California to another educational institution may be very limited. Your credits may not transfer and you may have to repeat courses previously taken at the University of Southern California if you enroll in another educational institution. You should never assume that credits will transfer to or from any educational institution. It is highly recommended and you are advised to make certain that you know the transfer of credit policy of the University of Southern California and of any other educational institutions you may in the future want to transfer the credits earned at the University of Southern California before you execute an enrollment contract or agreement.

Texas

The student complaint process along with forms and instruction are posted on the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) website: http://www.thecb.state.tx.us/studentcomplaints

Inquiries should be directed to studentcomplaints@thecb.state.tx.us or Kammi.Contreras@thecb.state.tx.us.

Additional contact information:

Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
1200 E. Anderson Lane, Austin, TX 78752
PO Box 12788, Austin, TX 78711-2788
Main: 512-427-6101 || Fax: 512-427-6127
Student Loans: 800-242-3062 or 512-427-6340

Virginia

The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) has determined that the University of Southern California meets all requirements for distance education certification as stated in section 23. I -219 (F) of the Code of Virginia.

The University of Southern California is certified to offer solely distance education to Virginia residents effective July l, 2022 through June 30, 2023, after which certification must be renewed on an annual basis.

Washington State

i. “The University of Southern California is authorized by the Washington Student Achievement Council and meets the requirements and minimum educational standards established for degree-granting institutions under the Degree-Granting Institutions Act. This authorization is subject to periodic review and authorizes the University of Southern California to offer field placement components for specific degree programs. The Council may be contacted for a list of currently authorized programs. Authorization by the Council does not carry with it an endorsement by the Council of the institution or its programs. Any person desiring information about the requirements of the act or the applicability of those requirements to the institution may contact the Council at P.O. Box 43430, Olympia, WA 98504-3430 or by email at degreeauthorization@wsac.wa.gov.”

ii. “The transferability of credits earned at the University of Southern California is at the discretion of the receiving college, university, or other educational institution. Students considering transferring to any institution should not assume that credits earned in any program of study at the University of Southern California will be accepted by the receiving institution. Similarly, the ability of a degree, certificate, diploma, or other academic credential earned at the University of Southern California to satisfy an admission requirement of another institution is at the discretion of the receiving institution. Accreditation does not guarantee credentials or credits earned at the University of Southern California will be accepted by or transferred to another institution. To minimize the risk of having to repeat coursework, students should contact the receiving institution in advance for evaluation and determination of transferability of credits and/or acceptability of degrees, diplomas, or certificates earned.”

iii. “The Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC) has authority to investigate student complaints against specific schools. WSAC may not be able to investigate every student complaint. Visit https://www.wsac.wa.gov/student-complaints for information regarding the WSAC complaint process.”

“For Washington State residents seeking information and resources about student loan repayment or seeking to submit a complaint relating to your student loans or student loan servicer, please visit http://www.wsac.wa.gov/loan-advocacy or contact the Student Loan Advocate at loanadvocate@wsac.wa.gov.”

Master of Arts in Teaching program

Eligibility for initial educator certification in Washington is based on completion of a state approved educator preparation program. This program is approved in California and is authorized for field placements in Washington by the Professional Educators Standards Board. Even though you may be residing in Washing while in this program, your application for educator certification in Washington will be processed as an out of state application. Go to http://pathway.pesb.wa.gov/outofstate for more information. Educators are advised to contact their individual school districts as to whether this program may qualify for salary advancement.

Washington D.C.

University of Southern California is authorized by the Washington D.C. Higher Education Licensure Commission (HELC). The HELC should be considered the agency of last resort in the grievance process.