State Authorization and Disclosures
State Authorization
Pursuant to Wis. Stats. Ch. 39.85, et. al, the State of Wisconsin is a member of the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) through the Midwestern Higher Education Compact which regulates the manner in which participating institutions may offer distance learning education to students who reside in other states. The University of Wisconsin-Platteville is a participating institution in MSARA. On September 7, 2016, the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) approved institutional participation of UW-Platteville. NC-SARA is a voluntary, regional approach to state oversight of postsecondary distance education. The terms and conditions of SARA can be found at SARA Policies and Standards.
At this time, 49 of the 50 U.S. states are SARA members, however, the remaining non-SARA state of California does not regulate online distance education programs offered by public institutions, therefore UW-Platteville is authorized to offer distance education programs to residents in all 50 states.
International Enrollments
The University of Wisconsin-Platteville works to provide global access to its online degree programs. While we monitor issues related to international authorization and licensure, it is your responsibility to understand current circumstances or special requirements surrounding whether an online degree will be recognized in a country other than the United States, how the collection of student data may be used in another country, and whether withholding taxes (in addition to the price of tuition) will apply. Some countries may not formally recognize foreign online degrees, which may have implications for those who later seek to enroll in other educational programs, or for those who seek employment with that country's government or other employers requiring specific credentials.
International students considering an academic program that leads to a professional license should first confirm with the appropriate professional licensing board in your country of residence or the country where you intent to work as to whether a UW-Platteville online degree will be recognized when seeking licensure or certification.
Refund Policy
Tuition refunds are subject to due dates and other conditions.
Complaint Resolution
Student Concerns and the Complaint Process
Student concerns are best handled when addressed in a timely manner by those who are best able to address and remedy the concern. This is often times the faculty or staff members with whom the concern is about, or the direct supervisor or department chair of the area in which the concern is expressed. Procedures for student academic and non-academic concerns and complaints are outlined below.
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Student Academic Concerns Related to Conduct of Classes or Other Course Matters
- Address the concern(s) with the course instructor.
- If you are not satisfied with the outcome of the meeting, or if you would be uncomfortable confronting the instructor, take the concern to your advisor.
- If a resolution is not achieved there you may then bring the matter to the program coordinator.
- If the resolution is not achieved there, your next step would be to address the matter with the director (or designee) of the Office of Professional Program Support or the director (or designee) of the Office of Continuing Education.
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Student Academic Concerns Related to Course Grades
- Address the concern(s) with the course instructor.
- If you are not satisfied with the outcome of the meeting, or if you would be uncomfortable confronting the instructor, take the concern to the program coordinator.
- If you are not satisfied with the outcome of the meeting, take the concern to the chair of the department.
- If you are not satisfied with the outcome of the meeting, take the concern to the dean of the college.
- If a resolution is not achieved there, you may appeal, in writing, to the Admission and Academic Appeals Committee (AAAC). The committee will hear both sides of the issue, examine the records, and advise the provost and all parties concerned as to a recommended solution. Your appeal must be received no later than six months after completing the course.
- Grievances about course grades which are appealed to the AAAC must address specific complaints related to grading, not concerns regarding conduct of classes or other course matters. In order for the AAAC to hear a formal grade appeal, a student must have a specific example of a major paper, project, lab or exam that was graded or recorded incorrectly that has significantly affected the student’s grade.
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Student Non-Academic Concerns
- Address the concern(s) with the individual involved.
- If you are not satisfied with the outcome of the meeting, or if you would be uncomfortable confronting the individual, take the concern to the appropriate department supervisor.
- If resolution is not achieved there, you may then bring the matter to the director (or designee) of the Office of Professional Program Support or the director (or designee) of the Office of Continuing Education.
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Notification of UW System Complaint Process for Program Integrity
Pursuant to the United States Department of Education's Program Integrity Rule, an individual may file a complaint against any of University of Wisconsin System's public institutions alleging a violation of one or more of the following categories with the University of Wisconsin System Administration (UWSA).
- Complaints that allege a violation of state consumer protection laws that include but are not limited to fraud and false advertising;
- Complaints that allege a violation of state law or rule relating to the licensure of postsecondary institutions; and/or
- Complaints relating to the quality of education or other State or accreditation requirements.
Under the UWSA policies and procedures, an individual should utilize the institution's internal complaint or review policies and procedures through the Office of Student Affairs or Office of the Provost prior to contacting the UWSA. If a resolution is not reached at the institution level, or if you believe that the nature of the complaint or its impact on the system as a whole warrants an immediate review, you may file a formal complaint by completing and submitting the complaint form.
If you have further questions, please contact the Office of Academic, Faculty and Global Programs (AFGP) at afgp@uwsa.edu or call 608.262.8778. The UWSA complaint process is available at Student Complaints.
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SARA and Student Complaints
If a student has a complaint that involves distance learning education offered under the terms and conditions of SARA, the student must file a complaint with the institution first to seek resolution. If no resolution is reached, then the student may file a complaint with the Wisconsin Distance Learning Authorization Board. For purposes of this process, a complaint shall be defined as a formal assertion in writing that the terms of this agreement, or of laws, standards or regulations incorporated by the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements Policies and Standards have been violated by the institution operating under the terms of SARA.
Additional information can be found at the DLAB Frequently Asked Questions.
Outside State Complaints Relating to Distance Learning
Pursuant to the United States Department of Education’s Program Integrity Rule, the University of Wisconsin-Platteville is required to provide all prospective and current students with the contact information of the state agency or agencies that handle complaints against postsecondary education institutions offering distance learning or correspondence education within that state. Students are encouraged to utilize the institution’s internal complaint or review policies and procedures prior to filing a complaint with the state agency or agencies. You can find the student complaints for Wisconsin at the Wisconsin SARA Portal Agency.
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State Agency Student Complaint Information
Professional Licensure
Excerpt from the Bureau of Labor Statistics:
Licenses and certifications show that a person has the specific knowledge or skill needed to do a job. Typically, you earn these credentials after you've completed your education. Sometimes, you become licensed or certified after you've gained practical experience, such as through an internship, residency, or time on the job.
Earning a license or certification involves meeting standards, which often includes passing an exam. Licenses and certifications are usually valid for a limited term and must be renewed periodically. An employer may require either credential.
However, there are a few key differences in the way BLS uses these terms. As shown below, one of the biggest distinctions between these two credentials is that licenses are legally required by the government to work in an occupation; certifications are not.
License
- Awarded by a governmental licensing agency
- Gives legal authority to work in an occupation
- Requires meeting predetermined criteria, such as having a degree or passing a state-administered exam.
Certification
- Awarded by a professional organization or other nongovernmental body
- Is not legally required in order to work in an occupation
- Requires demonstrating competency to do a specific job, often through an examination process.
Sometimes, these credentialing terms are used interchangeably. For example, states may refer to the credentials teachers need as certifications. However, BLS would define them as licenses because they are issued by a state government and are legally required for many teaching jobs.
UW-Platteville Online Degree Programs and Licensure
Important Note for Prospective Students: If you are considering an academic program that leads you to obtaining professional licensure in your state, it is highly recommended that you contact the appropriate licensing agency in your state to seek information and additional guidance before beginning a program outside of your state. For licensing board contact information and approval status, please see below.
Careers typically pursued by graduates of the associate degrees, Professional Studies, Business Administration, Project Management, Integrated Supply Chain Management, Organizational Change Leadership, Sport Administration, Strategic Management, Applied Computing, Applied Biotechnology, Cybersecurity, and Healthcare Administration programs are not regulated by state licensing boards therefore these programs do not lead to licensure. A number of certifications granted by professional organizations may help professionals in these fields qualify for specific positions and earn higher salaries. You are encouraged to learn about professional certification opportunities relevant to your field of study.
Completion of either Criminal Justice degree program prepares you for a wide variety of careers in areas such as law enforcement, corrections, and the judiciary. Success in your chosen field may require additional experience and/or training beyond this degree. Advanced degrees or certifications may be required for academic or clinical positions. This degree does not lead to professional licensure. Students interested in becoming a police officer in Minnesota, please be advised that the education requirements are unique in this state. A degree in criminal justice does not meet licensing exam eligibility requirements unless it is granted by a POST Board Certified Peace Officer Education Program. Graduates of UW-Platteville’s criminal justice programs will need to complete a certificate program offered by a POST Board Certified Peace Officer Education Program to sit for the POST licensing exam.
Certain engineering tasks require Professional Engineer (PE) licensure.
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Typical steps to obtain a PE according to the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE)
Step 1: Become an Engineer Intern
If you're a graduate from an engineering program approved by your state's licensure board, you can become classified as an "engineer intern" or "engineer-in-training" by successfully completing the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam. Achieving EI or EIT status signals that you have mastered the fundamental requirements and taken the first step toward earning your PE licensure.
NSPE offers a range of FE exam preparation and review resources for EI and EIT candidates.Step 2: Gain professional experience
All states require that you complete four years of qualifying engineering experience, typically under the supervision of a professional engineer. In many cases, your school can guide you to engineering jobs in your area, or you can take advantage of NSPE's Career Center and search for the right opportunity on their job board.
Step 3: Learn your state's licensure requirement
Each state (as well as the District of Columbia and all U.S. territories) has its own licensure board, administering its own exam and required qualifications. To find out more about your state's licensure requirements, visit the Web site of your state licensing board state-by-state summary.
Step 4: Prepare for and take the PE exam
In most cases, the final step in attaining licensure is successfully completing the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) exam in your state.
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Additional Licensure Information
Engineering PE licensure
Check out the National Society of Professional Engineers and the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying for more information.
Police Officer licensure
Review the How to Become a Police Officer: A Quick Guide.
- Minnesota Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) - If you are interested in becoming a police officer in Minnesota, please be advised that the education requirements are very unique in this state. A degree in criminal justice does not meet licensing exam eligibility requirements unless it is granted by a POST Board Certified Peace Officer Education Program. Graduates of UW-Platteville's criminal justice program will need to complete a certificate program offered by a POST Board Certified Peace Officer Education Program to sit for the POST licensing exam.
Project Management Professional (PMP®) certification
The Project Management Institute offers complete information on the PMP certification.
Certified Public Accountant licensure
You can review how to get licensed through the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy.
