Program Integrity Complaint Information Policy

Program Integrity Complaint Information

Suffolk University is authorized by statute to operate as a post-secondary educational institution and confer law degrees in Massachusetts. Suffolk University Law School is accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA). If you feel that Suffolk University Law School has failed to meet your expectations, you are encouraged to attempt to resolve the issue directly with the Law School or the appropriate University office, if relevant. If your concerns are not resolved through that process and the concerns relate to a matter set forth in the law school accreditation standards of the ABA, you may file a complaint in accordance with the ABA Standard 510 Statement. Concerns not otherwise resolved by the law school or the relevant University office that relate to an accreditation or regulatory matter governed by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts may be referred to the Massachusetts Office of the Attorney General, Public Charities Division, One Ashburton Place, Boston, MA 02108.

Grievances Related to Students Enrolled in an Online Program

Suffolk University is approved to operate in Massachusetts SARA by the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education (DHE) to offer distance education in SARA member states and territories. Consistent with 610 CMR 12.00 [PDF], students must attempt to resolve complaints at the institutional level.

For Massachusetts Residents and Online Students in Non-SARA Member States and Territories

After you have exhausted the complaint procedures made available by Suffolk University Law School, described above, if your complaint has not been resolved, you may file a consumer complaint with the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office (AGO) by using the consumer complaint form. The AGO consumer complaint form should be used by students who are located in:

  • Massachusetts
  • Non-SARA Member States or Territories (e.g., California, Guam, etc.)

For Online Students Located in SARA Member States and Territories

After you have exhausted the Program Integrity complaint procedures made available by Suffolk University Law School, described above, if your complaint has not been resolved, you may file a complaint with the DHE by using the SARA complaint form. The DHE SARA complaint form should be used by students who are located in SARA member states and territories. This includes all students who are located in SARA member states and territories for the purposes of completing out-of-state learning placements, such as internships, practica, clinical experiences, etc. in SARA member states and territories outside Massachusetts.

Additional information from the DHE’s SARA complaint website:

The SARA complaint process is as follows:

  1. Students must first attempt to resolve their complaint using internal administrative procedures offered by the SARA institution.
  2. After all administrative remedies have been exhausted with the MA-SARA institution, the student may submit a SARA Complaint via the URL below.
  3. The Department shall send a copy of the complaint to the institution that is the subject of the complaint;
  4. Within 30 days of the date that the Department sends a copy of the complaint to the institution, the institution must provide a written response to the student and the Department.

More information about DHE’s complaint processes can be found in this [PDF].