Salem College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award baccalaureate and master’s degrees. Salem College also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of Salem College may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).

The Department of Teacher Education and Graduate Studies in Education has approval for all educator licensure programs by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.

Salem College has been an accredited member of the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) since 1933.

In June 2023, Salem College was approved by SARA-NC to participate in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (NC-SARA). NC-SARA is a national initiative seeking to make distance education courses more accessible to students across state lines, as well as making it easier for states to regulate and institutions to participate in interstate distance education.

Professional Licensure

Salem College approves the standards for courses or programs leading to professional licensure at Salem. NC-SARA does not approval any courses or programs leading to professional licensure.

34 CFR 668.43(a)(5)(v) Professional Licensure/Certification (PLC) pre-education requirements

The curriculum for education programs customarily leading to licensure at Salem College have been designed to meet the licensure/certification requirements in North Carolina and prepare students to apply for licensure exams in the State of North Carolina.  The licensure boards in each U.S. State or U.S. Territory are responsible for establishing the requirements for licensure/certification for their respective State or Territory. Students who intend to return or move to any State or Territory other than North Carolina should review the professional licensure disclosures pertaining to their program and to consult with the state professional licensing board. The state professional licensing boards make the ultimate decision as to whether an individual will be eligible to sit for licensure based on the rules and regulations in place at the time the individual submits their application for licensure.

If you are interested in obtaining a North Carolina teaching license, please see information about professional licensure on the education program webpage. Successful completion of the teacher education program, taken in addition to the major, leads to a North Carolina teaching license. In addition, the student will meet the education criteria for licensure or certification in all 50 states, except Texas, where an additional course in Texas History is required. If the student plans to practice in a state other than North Carolina, the student should contact the Director of Teacher Education to determine current requirements in the location of interest. See a chart of this information by state and US territory. View contact information for each state’s Department of Education.

Teacher Education contact information & mailing address:

Attn: Nicki Young
601 S. Church Street
Winston Salem, North Carolina 27101

If you are interested in obtaining a North Carolina principal’s license please see information about professional licensure on the education program webpage. Successful completion of the Master of Education in Educational Leadership program, leads to a North Carolina principal’s license. In addition, the student will meet the education criteria for licensure or certification in all 50 states, except Texas, where an additional course in Texas History is required. If the student plans to practice in a state other than North Carolina, the student should contact the Director of Teacher Education to determine current requirements in the location of interest. See a chart of this information by state and US territory To view contact information for each state’s Department of Education please click here: https://www2.ed.gov/about/contacts/state/index.html

Grievance Resolution

Contact Information

Office of the Dean of Students
Main Hall, Room 102
Winston Salem, NC 27101
(336) 917-2627

Salem College provides a learning environment that prepares students for responsible lives of life-long learning, professional development and global citizenship. The Salem experience is designed to encourage collaborative learning among students, faculty and staff. Salem College has a long and rich history in student self-governance and in promoting the general welfare of all students. To continue to enhance the quality of services and resources offered to students, Salem College welcomes opinions, feedback and constructive ideas. The College is committed to ensuring that students have an avenue for articulating concerns, complaints and grievances.

In communicating specific concerns, complaints and grievances, students are encouraged to follow established policies and procedures outlined in the online Salem College handbook and the Salem College Catalogs. These methods include grievance and appeal procedures for academic problems or grades, academic suspension and other academic policies; harassment and non-discrimination policy complaints, reports of sexual misconduct; Honor Code violations; housing issues, financial aid probation or suspension; disability services, student employment, and access to educational records.

In communicating NC-SARA general concerns, complaints or grievances that do not follow one of the specific grievance procedures indicated above, please contact Dr. Victoria Burgos, Dean of Students.

• Undergraduate Grievance Policy
• Graduate Grievance Policy
• Student Concern Form

SACSCOC Student Complaint Process

Salem College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

Individuals may submit complaints to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, the University’s regional accrediting body. In most cases, SACSCOC complaint procedures require that the complainant exhaust all other avenues to address the complaint. Prior to filing a complaint, please carefully review the SACSCOC Complaint Procedures Policy Statement.

The links below provide information on the SACSCOC complaint policy and process.

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
1866 Southern Lane
Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097
Telephone: 404-679-4500
http://www.sacscoc.org
SACSCOC Complaint Policy and Form

Additionally, if you are not satisfied with the outcome of the complaint, you may choose to file a complaint by filling out the North Carolina Post-secondary Education Student Complaint document. Please visit the State of North Carolina Post-Secondary Education Complaints page for the form and for information about this process.

NC Independent Colleges and Universities Complaint Process

In the event our internal resolution to your grievance fails to reach a satisfying resolution, students may continue the grievance process with the Consumer Protection Division of the North Carolina Department of Justice (https://ncdoj.gov/file-a-complaint/. Grievances can be submitted electronically or by mail:

Consumer Protection Division
Attorney General’s Office
Mail Service Center 9001
Raleigh, NC 27699-9001

Telephone for NC Residents: 877.566.7226
Telephone for Outside of NC: 919.716.6000
En Español: 919.716.0058
Consumer Protection Website
General Consumer Online Complaint Form

SARA-NC Complaint Process

Salem College is a member of the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement – North Carolina (SARA-NC) which is the portal for North Carolina. Students may also file a grievance through SARA-NC. Students should follow the SARA-NC Complaint Process and use the SARA-NC Complaint Form (PDF). SARA-NC does not resolve complaints about student grades and student conduct violations. These complaints fall under the jurisdiction of institutional policy. The contact information for SARA-NC is:

North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority
c/o SARA North Carolina
P.O. Box 41349
Raleigh, NC 27629

Telephone: 855.SARA.1.NC (727-2162)
Telephone: 919.549.8614, ext. 4667
Sara-NC Email: complaint@saranc.org
SARA-NC Website: www.saranc.org

If a student wishes to contact the state portal entities for his or her home state, contact information for state portal entity directors in each SARA state can be found on the NC-SARA website. State by state contact information for agencies responsible for receiving student consumer complaints is available online.

Catastrophic Event Refunds

In the unlikely event of a catastrophe in which Salem College is no longer able to offer classes on campus or remotely due to a natural disaster or other unforeseen phenomenon every effort will still be made to help students complete the outcomes for the term. The full range of support offered by Salem College is available in the Catastrophic Events Policy. Refunds will be provided only if it is determined by Salem leadership to be appropriate for that specific situation and only if Salem College is for some unlikely reason not able to help students complete the outcomes for their courses through another means.

We encourage all students to register to vote. We encourage our students to participate in the electoral process as it is critical in living a life as individuals who are aware of  the needs of under privileged and marginalized populations.

You Can Vote, a non-partisan organization, provides information about voting and registration for students.

This information is also being posted as part of our efforts to comply with Section 487(a)(23) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 that references the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (NVRA)  and requires higher education institutions to distribute voter registration forms to their students.

Reporting Requirements for Higher Ed Emergency Relief Funds (HEERFIII)

On May 20, 2021, Salem College was informed by the U.S. Department of Education that we would receive HEERF lll funding for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students under the American Rescue Plan.

1. Total Funds Received
   Subsequent to the May 20 letter, Salem received $1,342,437 to be used explicitly as direct grants to students./li>
2. Total Amount DistributedOn October 6, 2021, Salem awarded $1,146,489 to 377 students out of a pool of 479 enrolled students. That disbursement represented 85.4% of the total allocation. Priority was given to students who exhibited “exceptional need” as required by federal guidelines governing the administration of these funds. Salem chose to define “exceptional need” for purposes of this process as having a FAFSA generated EFC equal to Pell Grant eligibility. As funds were available, eligibility was not limited to students with “exceptional need”.On October 25, 2021, Salem awarded an additional $65,375 to 31 additional students.
   On February 16, 2022, Salem awarded $130,573 (the remainder of the HEERFIII funds) to 235 students.
3. Estimated Number of Eligible Students
   A second round of grants from this HEERF lll funding will be processed in the near future attempting to assess “exceptional need” among the remaining 86 enrolled students who did not file a FAFSA.
4. The method(s) used by the institution to determine which students receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants and how much they would receive under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act Salem College used FAFSA data already on file to determine eligibility for the first round of HEERF lll student grants. Once the pool of eligible students was identified, we created a block grant schematic that factored in EFCs, whether the student was a traditional age student enrolled in the traditional campus enrollment, an adult student enrolled through the college’s Fleer Center, or a graduate student (all having different costs of attendance).  We then considered class load: full time, three quarter time, half time, or less than half time. Block grants were then distributed accordingly.
5. Any instructions, directions, or guidance provided by the institution to students concerning the Emergency Financial Aid Grants.
   Salem College utilized direct emails from the PFAIDS system to inform students of their eligibility for the grants and subsequent disbursement of funds. Grantees with outstanding tuition account balances were invited to grant permission, in writing, to the college to deduct from their pending grant disbursement any unpaid balance before releasing the disbursement.

HEERF lll Quarterly Update, December 31, 2021

1. No additional HEERF lll funds received between September 1, 2021 and December 31, 2021.
2. No additional student grants awarded after October 25, 2021.
3. No change in the number of grant recipients after October 25, 2021.
4. No change in methodology as there were no additional grants issued.

Reporting Requirements for Higher Ed Emergency Relief Funds (HEERFII)

On April 9, 2020 and on April 22, 2020, Salem College signed and returned to the Department of Education the required Funding Certification and Agreement forms and agrees that the College has used, or intends to use, no less than 50 percent of the funds received under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.

1. Total Funds Received
   In the second round of federal Covid-19 relief funding for students (Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds- HEERF ll) Salem College received $503,705 to be used as direct grants to students.
2. Total Amount Distributed
   On March 8, 2021, Salem awarded $503,705 to students, 100% of the designated amount.
3. Estimated Number of Eligible Students
   Salem advertised the availability of these funds and the eligibility criteria for them. From that email notice to the apparent eligible pool, we received 253 applications.
4. Number of Students Who Received Grant
   Salem awarded grants to 246 of the 253 applicants.
5. The method(s) used by the institution to determine which students receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants and how much they would receive under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act
   Salem College developed an application process to collect information from eligible students who experienced unexpected expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to COVID-19. The College utilizes a google application to collect and document student responses. Amounts are determined based upon students’ applications, confirmed Title IV eligibility, declared need, and enrollment status
6. Any instructions, directions, or guidance provided by the institution to students concerning the Emergency Financial Aid Grants.
   Salem College utilized direct emails from the PFAIDS system to notify Title IV eligible students of the availability of the HEERF application process, as well as postings to the College website: Covid-19 FAQ For Students.

Reporting Requirements for Higher Ed Emergency Relief Funds (HEERF)

On April 9, 2020 and on April 22, 2020, Salem College signed and returned to the Department of Education the required Funding Certification and Agreement forms and agrees that the College has used, or intends to use, no less than 50 percent of the funds received under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.

1. Total Funds Received
   The total amount of funds that the institution will receive from the Department pursuant to the institution’s Certification and Agreement [for] Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students is $503,705.
2. Total Amount Distributed
   The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act as of May 22 is $216,000. An additional $6,000 was awarded on May 29, 2020, for a total of $222,000. An additional $45,250 was awarded July 24, 2000 for a total of $267,250. On September 17, 2020, an additional $236,455 was awarded for a total to date of $503,705.
3. Estimated Number of Eligible Students
   The estimated total number of students at the institution eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and thus eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act is 483 as of September 30.
4. Number of Students Who Received Grant
   The total number of students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act is 229 as of May 22. On May 29, 2020, an additional 6 students were awarded grants for a total of 235 students. An additional 49 awards were made July 24, 2000, for a total of 284 students receiving grants. An additional 112 awards were made on September 17, 2020, for a total of 292 unduplicated students receiving grants.
5. The method(s) used by the institution to determine which students receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants and how much they would receive under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act
   Salem College developed an application process to collect information from eligible students who experienced unexpected expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to COVID-19. The College utilizes a google application to collect and document student responses. Amounts are determined based upon students’ applications, confirmed Title IV eligibility, declared need, and enrollment status
6. Any instructions, directions, or guidance provided by the institution to students concerning the Emergency Financial Aid Grants.
   Salem College utilized direct emails from the PFAIDS system to notify Title IV eligible students of the availability of the HEERF application process, as well as postings to the College website: Covid-19 FAQ For Students.

Downloads

• Federal Report for Institutional HEERF Funding – November 30, 2020
• Federal Report for Institutional HEERF Funding – January 5, 2021
• Federal Report for Institutional HEERF Funding – July 5, 2021
• Federal Report for Institutional HEERF Funding – October 6, 2021

Download 2022 Annual Campus Security and Fire Safety Report

According to § 115C-269.55., the State Board of Education shall adopt and establish a process for students to report an alleged violation by an Educator Preparation Program (EPP). This form provides explicit instructions for this process and the form in which a student may file that complaint.