Complaint Process
United States Department of Education Regulation 34 CFR § 668.43(b) requires institutions of higher education authorized under Title IV of the Higher Education Act to make available to enrolled or prospective students upon request documents describing the institution's accreditation and its State, Federal, or tribal approval or licensing. The institution must also provide its students or prospective students with contact information for filing complaints with its accreditor and with its State approval or licensing entity and any other relevant State official or agency that would appropriately handle a student's complaint.
The Catholic University of America has listed multiple alternatives for individuals who wish to submit complaints regarding the educational program at The Catholic University of America. CUA expects that any student complaint will be filed in accordance with any procedures currently in place at the institution before resolution is sought from a state agency or the University’s accreditation body. In the absence of a procedure, the complaint should be filed with the Office of the President.
Recommended Content of Complaint
In order to facilitate effective response, initial complaints should include the complainant’s full name, address, and contact information, including email and telephone number. Complaints should specify enrollment status, i.e. whether the complainant is a current, former or prospective student. The description of the complaint should include dates and college officials that were involved or have been contacted. Any supporting documentation, such as emails or other correspondence, should be included in order to help others understand the events leading to the complaint. Last, the complainant should state what, if any, remedy is sought.
Internal Process Complaint Contacts
Where to File your Complaint
For Complaints Regarding the Financial Aid Program:
Hasanna Tyus
Interim Vice President for Enrollment Management
Room M418 O'Connell Hall
The Catholic University of America
620 Michigan Ave NE
Washington, DC 20064
202-319-6535
tyus@cua.edu
For Complaints Regarding Graduate Academics
Dr. J. Steven Brown
Senior Vice Provost for Academic Administration and Dean Of Graduate Studies
Room 116 McMahon Hall
The Catholic University of America
620 Michigan Ave NE
Washington, DC 20064
202-319-5273
brownjs@cua.edu
For Complaints Regarding Undergraduate Academics
Dr. Lynn Mayer
Vice Provost for Teaching and Dean of Undergraduate Studies
McMahon Hall
The Catholic University of America
620 Michigan Ave. NE
Washington, DC 20064
202-319-6160
mayer@cua.edu
Law School Complaint Process *(re ABA standards)
State Licensing Complaints
District of Columbia
Higher Education Licensure Commission
1050 First Street, NE 5th Floor, Washington, DC 20002
(Please use form linked online from this page)
Virginia Programs
For Engineering Management Programs Offered in Virginia:
Student Complaint Information By State and Agency (for those not listed here)
Accreditation Complaints
The Catholic University of America is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, 3624 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104. (267-284-5000) The Middle States Commission on Higher Education is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. The Middle States region includes the District of Columbia, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.