At UNTD, we have educator certification programs housed in three Schools: (a) Education, (b) Human Services, and (c) Liberal Arts and Sciences. Scroll to the School holding the program where you have concerns to identify the processes.
School of Education Programs
- Traditional Route Undergraduate Teacher Certification Program
- Alternative Teacher Certification Program
- Educational Leadership Principal Program
Internal Processes
Level 1
To address any complaint or concern, the initial step is to communicate with the instructor, staff member, or professor with whom you have the concern or hold the complaint. We are here to help you resolve the issue. After completion of the initial level and left unresolved, where necessary, you proceed to Level 2.
Level 2
For School of Education programs, if unresolved at Level 1, please file a written complaint with the program coordinator or director in the School of Education (see directory) with oversight in the area of concern, within 15 days of the incident. Within 10 days after filing your complaint, you will receive communication with the respective coordinator, director, and/or applicable program staff. If still unresolved at Level 2, and your concern warrants additional support/intervention, you may proceed to Level 3.
Level 3
Within 10 days of decision at Level 2, you may appeal in writing to the Assistant Dean, School of Education (for teacher education, alternative teacher certification, curriculum and instruction, educational leadership, and principal programs) only after Level 2 processes are finalized. You will communicate with the Assistant Dean (see directory) and any necessary program staff to resolve your complaint or concern. You will receive a response within 10 days after filing your complaint from the Assistant Dean. After you have conferred with the Assistant Dean and your concern warrants additional resolution/intervention/support, you may proceed to Level 4 and include the written correspondence and steps documenting you have completed the three prior steps.
Level 4
Within 10 days of decision at Level 3, you may appeal in writing to the Dean, School of Education (see directory). The Dean and any necessary program staff will examine, address, and/or resolve your complaint or concern within 10 days of receipt where all information, details, and files are complete to evaluate the issue. If you have conferred with the Dean and desire additional support, you may proceed to Level 5 which includes an external process.
Level 5
University Administration Process
For non-certification issues, you may contact the relevant staff of the UNTD Dean of Students. Please go to https://sa.untdallas.edu/dean-students for contact and more information.
External Process
After completion of all prior steps, for certification programs only, you may file a formal complaint with Texas Education Agency www.tea.texas.gov. All complaints filed with the TEA must be in writing. TEA will not accept complaints by phone or complaints that are submitted anonymously. A person or entity may file a written complaint with TEA by filling out the complaint form online or by mailing or faxing a hard copy to the address on the form. You may fax your submission to (512) 463-9008 or email it to generalinquiry@tea.texas.gov. Please note TEA will examine whether you have made contact within the university levels first.
School of Human Services Program
School Counselor Program
Level 1
To address any complaint or concern, the initial step is to communicate with the instructor, staff member, or professor with whom you have the concern or hold the complaint. We are here to help you resolve the issue. After completion of the initial level and left unresolved, where necessary, you proceed to Level 2.
Level 2
For School of Human Services programs, if unresolved at Level 1, please file a written complaint with the program coordinator in the School of Human Services (see directory) with oversight in the area of concern, within 15 days of the incident. Within 10 days after filing your complaint, you will receive communication from the respective coordinator, , and/or applicable program staff. If still unresolved at Level 2, and your concern warrants additional support/intervention, you may proceed to Level 3.
Level 3
Within 10 days of decision at Level 3, you may appeal in writing to the Dean, School of Human Services (see directory). The Dean and any necessary program staff will examine, address, and/or resolve your complaint or concern within 10 days of receipt where all information, details, and files are complete to evaluate the issue. If you have conferred with the Dean and desire additional support, you may proceed to Level 4 which includes an external process.
Level 4
University Administration Process
For non-certification issues, you may contact the relevant staff of the UNTD Dean of Students. Please go to https://sa.untdallas.edu/dean-students for contact and more information.
External Process
After completion of all prior steps, for certification programs only, you may file a formal complaint with Texas Education Agency www.tea.texas.gov. All complaints filed with the TEA must be in writing. TEA will not accept complaints by phone or complaints that are submitted anonymously. A person or entity may file a written complaint with TEA by filling out the complaint form online or by mailing or faxing a hard copy to the address on the form. You may fax your submission to (512) 463-9008 or email it to generalinquiry@tea.texas.gov. Please note TEA will examine whether you have made contact within the university levels first.
School of Liberal Arts and Sciences Programs
- Life Science Grades 7-12
- Mathematics Grades 7-12
Level 1
To address any complaint or concern, the initial step is to communicate with the instructor, staff member, or professor with whom you have the concern or hold the complaint. We are here to help you resolve the issue. After completion of the initial level and left unresolved, where necessary, you proceed to Level 2.
Level 2
For Liberal Arts and Sciences programs (Life Science 7-12 and Mathematics 7-12), if unresolved at Level 1, please file a written complaint with the program coordinator, department head, or director in the School of Liberal Arts and Sciences (see directory) with oversight in the area of concern, within 15 days of the incident. Within 10 days after filing your complaint, you will receive communication with the respective coordinator, director, and/or applicable program staff. If still unresolved at Level 2, and your concern warrants additional support/intervention, you may proceed to Level 3.
Level 3
Within 10 days of decision at Level 2, you may appeal in writing to the Associate Dean, School of Liberal Arts and Sciences (for teacher education, alternative teacher certification, curriculum and instruction, educational leadership, and principal programs) only after Level 2 processes are finalized. You will communicate with the Associate Dean (see directory) and any necessary program staff to resolve your complaint or concern. You will receive a response within 10 days after filing your complaint from the Associate Dean. After you have conferred with the Associate Dean and your concern warrants additional resolution/intervention/support, you may proceed to Level 4 and include the written correspondence and steps documenting you have completed the three prior steps.
Level 4
Within 10 days of decision at Level 3, you may appeal in writing to the Dean, School of Liberal Arts and Sciences (see directory). The Dean and any necessary program staff will examine, address, and/or resolve your complaint or concern within 10 days of receipt where all information, details, and files are complete to evaluate the issue. If you have conferred with the Dean and desire additional support, you may proceed to Level 5 which includes an external process.
Level 5
University Administration Process
For non-certification issues, you may contact the relevant staff of the UNTD Dean of Students. Please go to https://sa.untdallas.edu/dean-students for contact and more information.
External Process
After completion of all prior steps, for certification programs only, you may file a formal complaint with Texas Education Agency www.tea.texas.gov. All complaints filed with the TEA must be in writing. TEA will not accept complaints by phone or complaints that are submitted anonymously. A person or entity may file a written complaint with TEA by filling out the complaint form online or by mailing or faxing a hard copy to the address on the form. You may fax your submission to (512) 463-9008 or email it to generalinquiry@tea.texas.gov. Please note TEA will examine whether you have made contact within the university levels first.
Additional Resources
Complaints shall be filed in accordance with this policy, except as required by the policies listed below. Some of these policies require appeals to be submitted in accordance with the complaint policy after the relevant complaint process:
- Complaints regarding discrimination or harassment of any type (including sexual harassment) made against a UNTD student, faculty member, staff member, or other member of the University community. Refer to UNTD Policy 5.001, Prohibiting Discrimination and Harassment Also see corresponding procedures: 5.001a, Discrimination and Harassment Complain Procedures
- Complaints regarding a grade or grade-related penalty. Refer to the UNTD Policy 7.007, Grade Appeal and also see corresponding: Grade Appeal Form
- Complaints regarding the outcome of student conduct hearings. Refer to appeal procedures in UNTD Policy 7.001, Code of Student's Rights, Responsibilities, and Conduct
- Complaints regarding the outcome of an investigation and review of academic dishonesty. Refer to appeal procedures in UNTD Policy 7.002, Code of Academic Integrity
- Complaints regarding the release of student information or accuracy of student education record. Refer to UNTD Policy 7.003 Student Records
- Complaints regarding a decision on the modification of academic requirements or other disability accommodation for students. Refer to UNTD Policy 7.004, Disability Accommodation for Students
- Complaints regarding a decision by the Behavioral Intervention Team concerning an involuntary medical withdrawal. Refer to appeal procedures UNTD Policy 7.008, Involuntary and Voluntary Student Medical Withdrawal