Accreditation
St. Ambrose University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (www.hlcommission.org; 800/621-7440; 230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500, Chicago, IL 60604; info@hlcommission.org)
The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) is an independent corporation that was founded in 1895 as one of six regional institutional accreditors in the United States.
HLC accredits degree-granting post-secondary educational institutions in the North Central region, which includes the following 19 states: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming. The Higher Learning Commission is recognized by the Secretary of Education and the Committee on Recognition of Postsecondary Accreditation (CORPA, now continued under the Council on Higher Education Accreditation).
The Higher Learning Commission is based in Chicago. Information about its purpose and activities, as well as St. Ambrose University's affiliation status with the commission, can be obtained from the HLC website or by calling 800-621-7440 or 312-263-0456.
Higher Learning Commission College Data
Accreditation
NC-SARA Participating Institution
St. Ambrose University has been approved to participate in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements.
Iowa College Student Aid Commission
As a registered institution, St. Ambrose University is authorized to operate as a degree-granting university in the state of Iowa.
If a student feels there has been no resolution made to the complaint after contacting the University Vice President of Student Engagement & Dean of Students, the student may contact the Iowa College Student Aid Commission (Iowa College Aid) by completing the Iowa College Student Aid Student Complaint Form or calling 877-272-4456.
Iowa College Student Aid Commission
(877) 272-4456
Iowa College Student Aid Student Complaint Form
College of Business
The Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) has accredited the undergraduate programs of accounting, business administration, economics, finance, international business, managerial studies, and marketing, as well as the graduate programs in accounting, business administration (MBA and DBA) and organizational leadership.
Education
Iowa Department of Education
Industrial Engineering
The Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology
Public Health
The Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). The St. Ambrose Master of Public Health Program (MPH) is currently an applicant for CEPH accreditation.
Nursing
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The baccalaureate degree program in Nursing at St. Ambrose University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.
The Iowa Board of Nursing
Occupational Therapy
Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA)
Physical Therapy
Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)
Physician Assistant
The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA)
Social Work
Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
Speech-Language Pathology
Council on Academic Accreditation of American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA)
The Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) serves as a national advocate and voice for promoting academic quality through accreditation. CHEA is an association of degree-granting colleges and universities and recognizes institutional and programmatic accrediting organizations.
CHEA is the only national organization in the United States focused exclusively on higher education accreditation and quality assurance. The CHEA Accreditation Toolkit provides important information on U.S. higher education accreditation and recognition to students, families, faculty, administration, governing boards, and accrediting organizations.
St. Ambrose University takes pride in our service to students. From time to time, students may have questions concerning policies or practices. Generally there are logical explanations for situations, and usually most questions can be resolved in an informal setting through direct discussion with the individual or office involved. In instances where a student raises a question about a policy or decision, the affected staff or faculty member may respond. If it is not possible to resolve a matter through direct discussion, a student may appeal for further consideration by registering a complaint.
Registering a Complaint with St Ambrose University
St. Ambrose University is committed to providing high-quality academic programs and services for students and encourages students to contact the University if there is cause for concern regarding academic or non-academic matters.
A complaint is defined as dissatisfaction occurring when a decision, act, or condition, based upon specific factual data, affects the student in a perceived negative or unjust manner; furthermore, an allegation of improper, unfair, arbitrary, or discriminatory treatment by university personnel.
Residential Programs
Students who wish to register a complaint may contact the St Ambrose University Vice President of Student Engagement & Dean of Students. To clarify the student's concerns, complaints should be sent in writing to: Vice President of Student Engagement & Dean of Students, St Ambrose University, 518 W Locust Street, Davenport, IA 52803, by phone at 563-333-6000, or by completing the online Student Complaint Form.
If a student feels there has been no resolution made to the complaint after contacting the University Vice President of Student Engagement & Dean of Students, the student may contact the Iowa College Student Aid Commission (Iowa College Aid) by filling out an online dispute form or calling 877-272-4456.
Online Programs
Students who wish to register a complaint may contact the St Ambrose University Vice President of Student Engagement & Dean of Students. To clarify the student's concerns, complaints should be sent in writing to: Vice President of Student Engagement & Dean of Students, St Ambrose University, 518 W Locust Street, Davenport, IA 52803, by phone at 563-333-6000, or by completing the online Student Complaint Form.
Information about registering a complaint with the accrediting or state licensure agencies is available by viewing or downloading this PDF with contact information.
These agencies should be contacted only after the student has registered a complaint with the University and has not received a response to the request for resolution.
St Ambrose University is approved by the Iowa College Aid Commission for participation in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) initiative. SARA is a national initiative establishing comparable national standards and expectations for distance and online education; the central purpose is to increase access to online courses and standardize student consumer complaint processes. By participating in SARA, SAU is allowed to provide online courses outside of the state borders to students residing in any other state which is a member of SARA (currently that includes 49 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands).
Students who are considering an online program that leads to professional licensure should contact the licensing agency in the State where they plan to practice. SARA does not provide reciprocity for professional licensing.
For more information, visit the NC-SARA website.
Federal guidelines established in 2019 require institutions such as St. Ambrose University to publicly disclose whether an academic program will fulfill educational requirements for specific professional licensure for employment in an occupation.
The programs listed below are the professional licensure programs at St Ambrose University. Educational requirements are noted for all states. Requirements may, however, change at the digression of the state, and as such, interested applicants and current candidates for licensure should consult with licensure boards within jurisdictions of interest.
All documents below are Excel (.xlsx) files.
Teacher Education - Initial Teaching License
Nursing - Initial Nursing License
Bachelor of Social Work - Initial License
Master of Social Work - Advance License
Master of Physician Assistant Studies - License
Master of Speech-Language Pathology - License
Doctor of Occupational Therapy - License
Doctor of Physical Therapy - License
In accordance with 34 CFR §600.9 - State Authorization, St. Ambrose University adheres to the following policy when determining a student's location. Upon request, this information shall be made available.
1. At the time of application, a student's location (State) is determined to be their permanent address. This address is obtained through the application process and becomes the active address when the student is moved from application to active student status.
2. Active students may change their location at any point through the use of the "Change of Address" form located on the Registrar's Portal Page or one the Office of the Registrar's website.