• CADE Home Page
• Accredited Education Programs
• Apply/Maintain Accreditation
• Accreditation Resources
• Curriculums
• International
• Diversity
• Fact Sheets
• Computer Matching
• Scholarships
• Credentialing (CDR)

Procedure for Complaints Against Programs

CADE has established a process for reviewing complaints against accredited programs in order to fulfill its public responsibility for assuring the quality and integrity of the educational programs that it accredits. Any individual, for example, student, faculty, dietetics practitioner or member of the public, may submit a complaint against any accredited or approved program to CADE. However, CADE will not intervene on behalf of individuals or act as a court of appeal for individuals in matters of admissions, appointment, promotion or dismissal of faculty or students. It will act only upon a signed allegation that the program may not be in compliance with the accreditation standards or policies. The complaint must be signed by the complainant. Anonymous complaints will not be considered. The following procedures will be used in the investigation of a complaint against an accredited or approved program.

1. ADA Accreditation staff will forward all written complaints to the CADE Chair within three weeks of receipt of the complaint.
   
   
2. If the CADE Chair determines that the complaint does not relate to the accreditation standards or policies, the complainant will be notified in writing within two weeks of the Chair's review that no further action will be taken.
   
   
3. If the CADE Chair determines that the complaint may relate to the accreditation standards or policies, the complaint will be acknowledged in writing within two weeks of the Chair's review and the complainant will be provided a copy of the process for handling the complaint.
   
   
4. At the same time as the complainant is notified, the complaint will be forwarded to the program by certified mail. The administrative officers of the institution or organization sponsoring the program, currently on file with CADE, will receive copies of the correspondence by first class mail. At the request of the complainant, the name of the complainant will be "blocked out" within the body of the written complaint that is sent to the program.
   
   
5. The CADE Chair will request the program to conduct a preliminary investigation and submit a report addressing the relevant accreditation standards or policies postmarked no more than 30 calendar days from receipt of the notification, as documented by return receipt of certified mail.
   
   
6. The CADE Chair may also request further information or materials relating to the complaint from the complainant, the institution, or other sources.
   
   
7. The CADE Chair will appoint a review committee to consider the complaint, along with all relevant information. The review committee will recommend appropriate action to CADE at its next scheduled meeting.
   
   
8. In determining the appropriate action, CADE will consider the complaint, materials relating to the complaint, the review committee's recommendation, if any, and additional evidence provided by the program, if any.
   
   
9. CADE or the CADE chair may determine that legal counsel is needed to address the complaint. The ADA Accreditation staff will work with CADE and legal counsel to identify a plan to address the complaint.
   
   
10. If the complaint is determined to be unsubstantiated or not related to the accreditation standards or policies, no action will be taken.
    
    
11. If the complaint is substantiated and indicates that the program may not be in compliance with the accreditation standards or policies, appropriate action will be taken, which may include, but is not limited to, scheduling an on-site visit of the program. If the complaint is substantiated and CADE determines that the program is not in compliance with the accreditation standards or policies, CADE may place the program on probation or withdraw accreditation or approval.
    
    
12. The Program Director and administration of the sponsoring institution will be notified of CADE's decision and action in writing within two weeks of the decision. The complainant will be notified of the final decision and action when the reconsideration and appeals process expires.
    
    
13. The program will have the right to request CADE to reconsider a decision to place the program on probation or to withdraw accreditation or approval.