Student Complaint Process at the Department Level
Students in the Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences are encouraged to follow the University's recommended sequence for addressing problems and complaints. The student is advised to consult with individuals in the order listed below; that is, they should consult the first person on the list and move to the next person or office on the list if the problem is not resolved to their satisfaction.
1. Class Instructor or Direct Clinical Supervisor
2. Academic Advisor or Clinic Director
3. Chair of the Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences
4. Office of the Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Student Complaint Process to the Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA)
ASHA’s Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech Language Pathology (CAA) is obligated by federal regulations to review complaints it receives about any accredited program or program in candidacy status. A complaint process is also in place for considering complaints filed against the CAA. Below please find an overview of the options available to students with concerns. Please visit the CAA website for detailed information and instructions regarding filing a complaint.
If students have major concerns or complaints about the SPHR graduate program, they may file them with the CAA. Complaints must relate to the Standards for Accreditation of Entry-Level Graduate Education Programs in Audiology or Speech-Language Pathology in effect at the time the conduct for the complaint occurred. The CAA does not accept complaints over the phone, so all complaints must be submitted in writing using the CAA’s official Complaint Form, and mailed to the following address:
Chair, Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
2200 Research Boulevard, #310
Rockville, MD 20850
Complaints Against the CAA
The CAA also has a process in place for complaints to be filed against the CAA. Before filing a complaint, it is strongly recommended that you read Chapter XIII: Complaints in the Accreditation Handbook. Complaints against the CAA must be filed within 1 year of the date the conduct being complained about occurred, and must relate to the content or the application of the Standards for Accreditation of Entry-Level Graduate Education Programs in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology, or the policies, procedures, and operations that were in use by the CAA at the time the conduct being complained about occurred. There is no formal complaint form for filing complaints against the CAA. However, the complaint must address all the required criteria and be submitted in writing to:
Vice Presidents for Academic Affairs (“Vice Presidents”)
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
2200 Research Boulevard, #310
Rockville, MD 20850