CCD Online Accreditation & State Authorization

CCD Online Accreditation

Community College of Denver (CCD) is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. The Higher Learning Commission is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. This federally-recognized body assures students, parents and all stakeholders that CCD meets clear quality standards for educational and financial performance.

In addition to CCD's Higher Learning Commission accreditation, some of CCD's academic programs carry specialized accreditation specific to the field.

State Authorization

CCD works through the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) process to ensure that when authorization for delivering online courses is necessary, required approvals are secured. Colorado is a member of SARA and CCD is an approved SARA institution. Therefore, we adhere to the established standards for offering distance education among the member states, districts, and territories. Participation in SARA is intended to make it easier for students to take online courses offered by postsecondary institutions based in another state and CCD is currently authorized or exempt to approval in all states.

Colorado

CCD is authorized by the State Board for Community Colleges and Occupational Education (SBCCOE) to offer its programs to residents of Colorado. Therefore, CCD complies with Colorado regulations concerning postsecondary distance education.

Approved States

As an approved SARA institution, CCD complies with state regulations to offer programs to residents of the following states: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming.

California

As an out-of-state public institution, CCD is not currently under the purview of any California agency for postsecondary education. Until California gives further direction, we will not be able to grant financial aid to and California student.

Massachusetts

Because CCD does not have a physical presence in the state, CCD is not required by the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education to obtain approval from the Board to offer its programs to residents of Massachusetts. Therefore, CCD complies with Massachusetts regulations concerning postsecondary distance education.

Approved Districts & Territories

As an approved SARA institution, Community College of Denver complies with regulations to offer programs to residents of the following districts and territories: District of Columbia, U.S. Virgin Islands

Guam

Because CCD does not have a physical presence in Guam, CCD is not required by the Guam Council on Postsecondary Institution Certification to obtain approval from the Council to offer its programs to residents of Guam. Therefore, CCD complies with Guam regulations concerning postsecondary distance education.

International Students

CCD works to provide global access to its online degree programs. While we carefully track issues related to international authorization and licensure, it is the student’s responsibility to understand current circumstances or special requirements surrounding whether the online degree selected will be recognized in the country of residence; how the collection of student data may be used in your country; and, whether you will be subject to additional withholding taxes in addition to the price of tuition. Several countries will not formally recognize foreign online degrees, which may have implications for students who later seek to enroll in other educational programs, or for those who seek employment with the country’s government or other employers requiring specific credentials. International students considering an academic program that leads to a professional license should first confirm with the appropriate professional licensing board in their country of residence whether a CCD degree is recognized when seeking licensure or certification.

Complaint Resolution

Community College of Denver’s Student Grievance Procedure details how all students regardless of residency should file formal complaints or grievances for a variety of issues, both instructional and non-instructional. This is always the required first step when there is a complaint.

If grievances are not satisfactorily resolved after an internal attempt by CCD, Colorado resident students can then file with the Colorado State Portal Entity if their complaint is non-instructional.

For out-of-state students who reside in a SARA state (AL, AK, AZ, AR, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY) the Colorado State Portal Entity has jurisdiction over Colorado SARA-approved institutions including CCD in relation to non-instructional complaints. Instructional complaints, such as grade grievances, are not reviewed by the Portal Entity and should not be submitted for review. 

If grievances are not satisfactorily resolved after an internal attempt by CCD, students who do not reside in a SARA state may file a complaint with an agency in the student’s state of residence. See Complaint Filing Procedure for Students Outside of Colorado for a list of state agencies.