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The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, offers innovative teaching and learning environments with our Distance Education (DE) programs. Our DE programs increases flexibility and enhances access for motivated and qualified students. For additional information, including admission and specific program requirements click on one of the DE programs below.
Students enrolled in Distance Education programs (aka fully online programs), pay fewer fees than students enrolled in on-campus programs/classes. Because of this reduction in fees, students enrolled in Distance Education programs do not qualify for the following services: University housing, Student Health Center access, student health insurance, Student Counseling Center access, RecSports access (e.g., Aquatics Center, TRECS), student tickets to athletic events, and commuter parking. Distance Education students do not have an option to pay the Student Programs and Services fee.
Consumer Information for Distance Education Students
UT provides student consumer information in accordance with federal regulations. An institution offering distance education is required to 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.
Internal Contacts
External Contacts
Since 1897, UT has been continuously accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097, or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
- To access the Commission’s complaint policy, procedures, and the Complaint Form, see Complaint Procedures Against the Commission or Its Accredited Institutions. To file a complaint, a student must complete the Commission’s Complaint Form and send two print copies to the President, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097.
- The Tennessee Higher Education Commission serves as the coordinating body for the state’s universities, public colleges, and Colleges of Applied Technology.
State Authorization and Consumer Protection
There are laws in each state that govern an institution of higher education’s ability to offer programs in that state. The University of TN, Knoxville operates in the state of Tennessee, and under the terms and conditions of the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement, commonly known as SARA.
The NC-SARA website contains a map of SARA member states and a SARA-Participating Institution Directory.
Complaint Resolution Policies and Procedures for Non-Tennessee Resident Students in State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) States
Student complaints relating to consumer protection laws that involve distance learning education offered under the terms and conditions of the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) must first be filed with the Institution to seek resolution.
UT strives to employ a fair and expeditious process for resolving student grievances and complaints. Complainants not satisfied with the outcome of the Institution’s internal process may appeal, within two years of the incident about which the complaint is made, to the Tennessee Higher Education Commission.
SARA Student Complaints
For purposes of this process, a complaint shall be defined as a formal assertion in writing that the terms of SARA or the laws, standards or regulations incorporated by the SARA Policies and Standards have been violated by the institution operating under the terms of SARA.
SARA consumer protection provisions require the home state portal entity to investigate and resolve complaints of dishonest or fraudulent activity by a provider and of operating a course or program contrary to practices set forth in the C-RAC Guidelines.
The SARA Student Complaint Process page provides an overview of how to file a SARA student complaint.
Complaints regarding student grades or student conduct violations are not covered by SARA.
California is the only state that is not a SARA member state. California residents wishing to file a complaint should notify the CA Department of Consumer Affairs.
UT’s State Authorization and Professional Licensure Programs page contains additional information for distance education students who live outside of Tennessee.
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- Economic and Community Development Graduate Certificate
- Education Major, Educational Administration Concentration, EdS
- Education Major, Adult and Continuing Education Concentration, MS
- Education Major, Evaluation Methodology Concentration, MS
- Education Major, Instructional Technology Concentration, MS
- Educational Administration Major, MS
- Educational Data Science Graduate Certificate
- Educational Leadership Major, EdD
- Educational Psychology Major, MS
- Elementary Education Graduate Certificate
- Emergency Management Graduate Certificate
- Energy Policy Graduate Certificate
- Engineering Management Graduate Certificate
- Engineering Management Major, MS
- English as a Second Language (PreK-12) Graduate Certificate
- Environmental Engineering Major, MS
- Evaluation Methodology Graduate Certificate
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