Additional Information
The Sonoran University campus is housed on 8.5 acres. Campus facilities include classrooms/labs of various sizes, a cadaver lab, a library, and administrative offices serving approximately 400 students and 200 full- and part-time staff and faculty members. In addition, there are clinics, a laboratory, and a medicinary providing nutrition and naturopathic medical care to more than 14,000 patients and clients annually. The campus is a fragrance-free facility.
Academic Building (AB):
28,000 sq. ft.
2140 E. Broadway Road, Tempe, AZ 85282
Lim Commons (LC):
47,900 sq. ft.
2152 E. Broadway Road, Tempe, AZ 85282
Medical Center/Administration Building (MC):
42,000 sq. ft.
2164 E. Broadway Road, Tempe, AZ 85282
This federal law is designed to protect the confidentiality of the student’s educational records. The Act affords the student certain rights with respect to their education records. These rights ensure that eligible students have access to their educational records for inspection and review and to request amendment if the student believes they are inaccurate or in violation of the student’s privacy. Further, this law protects the rights of a student to privacy by limiting access by others to education records without express written consent of the student and the right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by Sonoran University to comply with the requirements of FERPA.
Sonoran University may release information from an education record without the consent of the student to officials of another college or university where the student seeks or intends to enroll, as permitted by FERPA §99.31 (a)(2).
Sonoran University may release information from an education record without the consent of the student to another educational institution in which the student is enrolled. For example, Sonoran University may release academic records for a “dual enrollment” without prior written consent of the student (FERPA §99.34 (b)).
Sonoran University may disclose information from an education record without the consent of the student if the information is necessary to protect the health or safety of the student or other individuals (FERPA §99.36). Student records are open to other school officials, including faculty and administration, and local and state education agencies that have been determined to have a legitimate educational interest, including those specified by the Act as amended January 3, 2012.
Students have the right to review and inspect their education records, including their application, except for confidential recommendations. Photo identification must be presented before access to education records will be permitted. An appointment must be made with the Registrar’s Office to access an education record.
Directory Information
Sonoran University may release information that has been defined under the Directory Information Provision of FERPA. Sonoran defines directory information as name, address, photo/photo-ID, phone number, e-mail address, dates of attendance, program of study, degree conferral date, enrollment status, grade level, previous educational institutions attended, and degrees/awards earned. Forms are available at the Welcome & Enrollment Center or the Registrar’s Office for a student to request that Sonoran withhold all directory information.
Proper Disclosure
Student information of a private, personal, or confidential nature that is provided to Sonoran University faculty and staff will not be disclosed improperly. Faculty are expected to provide accurate evaluations of students. For the purposes of monitoring and recording student progress, evaluations include the strengths and weaknesses of academic, clinical, communication, and professional skills. The evaluations also include observations and opinions regarding academic effort and professional conduct. Although not required, faculty and staff may provide judgments of a student’s abilities and character to others in appropriate circumstances in accordance with the Sonoran University policy on student records.
Exceptions
- Judicial subpoena of records, upon condition that the college makes a reasonable effort to notify the student in advance of release of records
- Emergency situations, if knowledge of personal information is necessary to protect the health or safety of a student or other person(s)
- Military requests (Solomon Amendment)
- Student Clearinghouse Submissions
For more information regarding student FERPA rights, students should contact the Registrar’s Office.
Student ID Numbers (SID) / Social Security Number (SSN) / Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)
Student identification numbers are used in college transactions. Students are assigned individual student identification numbers (SID numbers) for use in college transactions such as web-based services and other student services. To comply with federal laws, the colleges are required to ask for the student’s Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).
Colleges use the SSN / ITIN to report American Opportunity Tax Credit / Lifetime Learning tax credit, to administer state-federal financial aid, to verify enrollment, degree and academic transcript records, and to conduct institutional research. Pursuant to state law (RCW 28B.10.042) and federal law (Family Rights and Privacy Act), the college will protect the student’s SSN from unauthorized use and/or disclosure.
If a student does not submit a SSN / ITIN, the student will not be denied access to the college; however, the student may be subject to civil penalties (refer to Internal Revenue Service Treasury Regulation 1.6050S-1(e)(4) for more information).
Sonoran University has a procedure to resolve informal and formal grievances and concerns that students may have about the implementation of the policies and procedures that govern the institution. The college community benefits from prompt resolution of issues. The Student Grievance Procedure will be followed only in cases where there is not a procedure governing a specific policy. See the Student Handbook located here.
For out of state distance education students, please see the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) Complaints Process tab at the bottom of the page.
Informal Grievance Process
Students must first utilize the informal process in an effort to resolve a grievance. The student must initiate the informal process according to the procedures set forth in this Informal Grievance Process, within five days after the student receives notice or otherwise knows of the action, decision, or receipt of course grade, which is the basis for the grievance.
1. Discussion with Faculty, Staff or Administrator
Within five days after the student knows the basis for a grievance, the student must discuss the problem with the individual that the student has the grievance against.
2. Discussion with Chair or Supervisor
If a satisfactory resolution is not reached with the individual, the student must request in writing a meeting with the Chair of the Department, Dean of Instruction, Chief Academic Officer, or direct supervisor of the staff member within five working days after the student determines that the grievance cannot be resolved with the person. The Chair, Dean of Instruction, Chief Academic Officer, or supervisor shall meet with the student within seven days after receipt of the request. The Chair, Dean of Instruction, Chief Academic Officer, or supervisor may then elect to meet with the student and person together or separately in an effort to resolve the grievance.
3. Discussion with Reporting Official
If a satisfactory resolution through the Chair, Dean of Instruction, Chief Academic Officer, or supervisor is not achieved, the student must request in writing a meeting with the appropriate reporting official within five (5) days after the student determines the grievance cannot be resolved. The reporting official will meet with the student within five (5) days after receipt of the request.
If the reporting official is unable to resolve the grievance between the student and the person, he/she will provide a written statement to the student stating that the grievance was not resolved through the informal grievance process.
Formal Grievance Process
In the event the grievance is not resolved through the informal process, the student may proceed with a formal grievance. A formal grievance must be filed online utilizing the Sonoran University Comment/Grievance Form found on MySonoran. Deviations from the following outlined timeline and/or procedures may occur on occasion and will not invalidate a decision or proceeding – this process not to exceed forty-five (45) business days.
1. Filing of Grievance
Within five (5) business days after receiving a statement from the reporting official that the grievance was not resolved informally, the student must complete the Comment/Grievance Form found on MySonoran. Upon submission, the form will be forwarded to the Dean of Students and an ad-hoc committee will be developed to appropriately handle the grievance. The decision of this ad hoc committee is final. The grievance form must include a description of the specific events, actions, faculty, student, staff or administrator, course and grade (if applicable), relating to the grievance and the resolution the student is seeking.
2. Receipt of Grievance
Within 10 business days of receipt of the grievance, the ad-hoc committee chair will do the following:
a. Appoint members of the committee, including one student member, to act as a hearing panel to process the grievance;
b. Designate at least one faculty member on the hearing panel to chair the panel for the grievance;
c. Forward the grievance to the panel chair for processing.
3. Grievance to Person
Within seven business days after receiving the grievance, the Hearing Panel Chair will forward a copy of the grievance to the person against whom the grievance is filed and request the person to file five copies of a written response to the committee within five days after receiving a copy of the grievance.
4. Response of Person
Within 5 business days after receiving the person’s response to the grievance, the committee will forward copies of the grievance and response to the student and to the other members of the panel.
5. Hearing
The panel will schedule a hearing, which may consist of one or more meetings with the student and the person who has the grievance filed against them, to hear both parties respectively, related to the grievance. The first meeting will be scheduled no later than 30 days after the panel chair received the grievance.
6. Conflict of Interest or Bias
If either party believes a member of the hearing panel should not participate, based on perceived or actual bias or conflict of interest, they may request, in writing, that the panel member be excused and the Chair of the Committee can, if the conflict appears to generate bias, appoint another member of the Committee to serve on the panel to hear the grievance. If a designated Committee panel member believes he or she has a bias or conflict of interest which would negatively impact their ability to decide the grievance fairly, the panel member will excuse him or herself, notify the chair of the Committee, and the chair will appoint a new panel member.
7. Documents
Both parties may provide documents to the committee for review and consideration. If provided, five copies of the documents must be provided to the chair at least seven days before the first scheduled date of the hearing. However, the committee will advise the parties that they will only consider documents that specifically relate to the grievance and the response. The panel chair will retain one set of documents and forward the other sets to the other members at least five days before the hearing.
For more information on the hearing process, please see the Student Handbook.
Complaints to the Higher Learning Commission
The Commission has established a clear distinction between individual grievances and complaints that appear to involve broad institutional practices. Where a complaint does raise issues regarding the institution’s ongoing ability to meet the Criteria of Accreditation, the Commission forwards the complaint to the institution and requests a formal response. HLC Contact information:
Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois 60604-1411
Phone: (312) 263-0456
Fax: (312) 263-7462
For more information on how to file a complaint with the HLC contact:
Complaints to the Arizona State Board for Private Postsecondary Education
The Arizona State Board for Private Postsecondary Education (“State Board”) is responsible for the licensing and regulation of private postsecondary educational institutions operating in Arizona.
To file a complaint on the State board’s website visit https://ppse.az.gov/. Note that the policy provides that a student who wishes to file a complaint with the department must first exhaust all available grievance procedures established by the institution, Arizona Administrative Code Rule R4-39-403.
Complaints to the Office of Civil Rights, Disability Basis
Any individual who believes that he or she or a specific individual or class of individuals has been subjected to discrimination on the basis of disability, may file a complaint with the Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights (OCR). Complaints must be filed within 180 days from the date of the alleged discrimination. For more information on how to file a complaint and the complaint process visit the OCR website at http://www.hhs.gov/civil-rights/filing-a-complaint/index.html.
Department of Health and Human Services
Office for Civil Rights
(800) 368-1019 (Voice)
(800) 537-7697 (TDD)
Complaints to the Department of Education, Title IX Basis
U.S. Department of Education
(OCR National Headquarters)
Office for Civil Rights
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20202-1100
(800) 421-3481 (Voice)
(202) 453-6012 (Fax)
(800) 877-8339 (TDD)
OCR@ed.gov
For more information on how to file a complaint of discrimination with OCR, visit http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/howto.html
Nothing in this disclosure should be construed to limit any right that you may have to take civil or criminal legal action to resolve your complaints. Sonoran University has provided this disclosure to you in compliance with the requirements of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, as regulated in CFR 34, Sections 600.9(b)(3) and 668.43(b). If anything in this disclosure is out of date, please notify Sonoran University, Dean of Students’ Office. This disclosure was last revised on 09/26/22 to switch the University name only.
Immunization Requirements
Sonoran is committed to protecting the health and well-being of our students and patients. Because Sonoran and naturopathic medicine play an increased role in the delivery of integrative healthcare through multiple partnerships with hospitals, clinics and treatment centers, our ND students are required to provide proof of immunity or testing for various diseases.
Required Proof of Immunity: Prior to enrollment, all incoming ND students must provide sufficient documentation regarding immunity to Measles (Rubeola), Tuberculosis, Hepatitis B.
Click to View Current Immunization/Vaccine Policies
Process for Submitting Proof of Immunizations/Lab Work:
Sonoran has contracted with Banner Desert Occupational Health Clinic in Chandler and Gilbert locations to complete all immunizations. Incoming Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine (ND) students should send proof of immunization or titer testing results to ClinicalCoordinator@sonoran.edu no later than the end of the first quarter.
To apply for religious or medical exemption requests, please contact the Dean of Students Office at (480) 222-9237 or email DOS@sonoran.edu.
Drug Testing in First Quarter of the Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine (ND) Program:
As part of the first quarter Introduction to Clinical Practice I & Clinical Skills Lab (CLPR), ND students are required to complete a drug test. Additional information is available in the CLPR syllabus. Please note that drug testing cannot be completed in advance of the quarter. The clinical coordinator will assist in coordinating the drug test at a local testing facility. There is no fee for the drug test.
Sonoran University does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, gender, social-economic background, religion, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, age, disability, veteran status, nationality, thinking styles or life experiences in the administration of educational policies, admission policies, financial aid, employment or any other program or activity.
Types of Withdrawals
Administrative Withdrawal
Sonoran is required to verify the enrollment and participation of students who participate in Federal Title IV student aid programs and/or who receive educational benefits through alternate funding sources. Students may be administratively withdrawn from the college under the following circumstances:
Failure to pay tuition and fees for the prescribed program of study by the published deadline.
Students who do not return to active enrollment at the end of the granted leave and need to reapply if they wish to return at some future date.
Failure to register for courses by the end of the add/drop period for the prescribed program of study of any quarter unless on an approved leave of absence.
Complete Withdrawal
Complete withdrawal is defined as completely withdrawing from all classes (including a leave of absence). In the case of a complete withdrawal, the following tuition refunds apply, and are dependent upon the withdrawal date.
For calculation purposes, the date of complete withdrawal is the date the student provides a formal written notice to the Registrar’s Office or Dean of Students of the intent to withdraw. In the case of a student who fails to notify the College of intent to withdraw, the date that is the midpoint of the term or the student’s last documented date of an academically related activity will be considered the withdrawal date, whichever is the longest time period.
Courses that are taught in a 4-, 6-, or 8-week format or as Intensive/selective courses that precede the term will be considered as stand-alone courses for the purpose of withdrawal and refunds. Refunds for these courses will be based on the length of the course and the time enrolled unless otherwise noted.
Withdrawal Refund Calculations by Date
- Complete withdrawal before the start of the term: 100% tuition and fees with the exception of non-refundable fees as noted in tuition and fee schedule.
- Complete withdrawal after the start of the term: % of tuition and refundable fees charged will be based on the federal guidelines formula as shown below. All other fees, as noted in the tuition and fee schedule, are not refundable,
- After the 60% completion point of the term: 0% tuition and fees refunded.
For consistency purposes, Sonoran applies the same federal guidelines for prorate refunds to all student refund calculations as those applied to students receiving federal financial aid. The federal guidelines for financial aid refunds are determined on the basis of the student’s withdrawal date and the length of the session. The length of the session is calculated from the first day of instruction through final exams of the registered session(s) and excludes any breaks of five days or more.
Federal Formula
A. Refund Rate = Calendar days completed in the period of enrollment ÷ total calendar days in the period of enrollment
B. Refund Amount = Tuition charges for the period of enrollment X the percentage of unearned Title IV aid
This calculation determines the percentage of federal funds that have been earned by the student at the time of withdrawal and the amount of unearned funds that must be returned to the federal program. For more information, see the financial aid web page on the Sonoran web site, or consult the Financial Aid Office at Finaid@sonoran.edu.
Types of Leave of Absence
Administrative Leave of Absence
The Administrative Leave of Absence (ALOA) policy assists and supports students who are unable to progress in their prescribed program of study due to failure of a required course by streamlining the leave of absence process. Students will receive an official notification of the ALOA from the Registrar’s Office. The general policies for a student on an LOA included above typically apply to a student on ALOA and are also included in detail in the Student Handbook.
Medical Leave of Absence
A medical/compassionate withdrawal request may be submitted to the Academic Progress Committee through the Office of the Dean of Students. Requests are considered in cases in which serious illness/injury or extreme personal circumstances beyond the student’s control prevents a student from continuing his/her classes and an incomplete or other arrangement with the faculty member is not possible. Applications for medical withdrawal require documentation. A student who receives an incomplete for any course has one calendar year or four consecutive quarters to complete the outstanding work and receive a grade before the “I” is changed to a “WD.”
Military Leave of Absence
Students withdrawing for military deployment must attach a copy of the military order to the withdrawal form. Grades of WD for withdrawal are recorded on the official academic record; these grades are non-penalizing. All tuition and fees paid by the student for the quarter from which the student is withdrawing will be refunded at a rate of 100%. If the student is withdrawing after the 70% completion point (excluding intensives) and was granted approved incompletes by the faculty member, the student is not eligible for tuition refund. The student has one calendar year or four consecutive quarters to complete the outstanding work and receive a grade before the “I” changes to a “WD.”
Personal Leave of Absence
Students who are temporarily unable to continue their program of study for personal reasons may request an LOA for a specific period of time not to exceed two consecutive quarters in a 12-month period. Students on a personal LOA that exceeds two quarters must request an extension from APPC or they may be officially withdrawn.
Attendance
Students are expected to attend all classes, laboratories, and clinical clerkships. It is the faculty member’s prerogative to determine attendance requirements for lecture sessions. Attendance requirements are stated in the course syllabus. Attendance at laboratories and clinical clerkships is mandatory.
Attendance for distance learning courses is determined by active participation within a distance-learning course such as submitting an assignment or exam, attending an online chat, or posting to a discussion forum. Simply logging into the course is not considered participation. Participation will not be counted for assignments submitted prior to the official first day of the quarter. Class participation by the end of the 7th day of the course is required to verify attendance and to release financial aid, if applicable. Students who do not maintain active participation in a distance-learning course, as outlined in the syllabus, are encouraged to withdraw from the course to avoid failure of the course. (See Sonoran University Course Catalog.)
Students receiving Title IV financial assistance, including assistance from the Veterans Administration (VA), are responsible for meeting VA and/or applicable federal aid attendance requirements.
Standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress
The Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine program is designed to be completed in four calendar years or 15 academic quarters (five calendar years or 19 academic quarters for the 5-year track). Students who deviate from the standard academic program will extend the length of the program. Satisfactory academic progress in the Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine program is defined as passing all program requirements within one and one-half (1.5) times the length of the longest published program in which they are enrolled, from initial date of matriculation including any and all leaves of absence and periods of withdrawal followed by re-activation. Generally, this is between 6–7 years. Credits transferred from an approved institution count toward the maximum completion time. Students must earn a minimum of 16 credits each term, unless on an approved deviated track. Students must make satisfactory progress toward the completion of their degree at Sonoran University to be eligible for most financial aid programs. Sonoran’s Satisfactory Academic Progress policy includes a cumulative a GPA of 2.0 or higher, academic term minimum credits earned, and total completion time.
Sonoran University is committed to excellence in educational quality and learning outcomes by providing a supportive academic environment to students. Federal regulations require Sonoran University to develop and apply a consistent policy of academic progress, which includes a quantitative measure (credit hours completed) as well as a qualitative measure (grade point average). To make satisfactory academic progress, Sonoran students must take and successfully complete a cumulative number of required credits by the end of every calendar year and maintain a minimum career GPA (see Satisfactory Academic Progress for prescribed program of study). Failure to maintain either of these requirements will result in a student being placed on academic probation and/or being academically dismissed.
At Risk for Unsatisfactory Academic Progress
Sonoran University students have the responsibility to recognize when they are experiencing academic difficulties and to initiate requests for assistance. Students are encouraged to seek assistance from their faculty members and the Sonoran University Student Success Center. When a student’s course attendance, demonstrated competence, and/or rate of academic progress indicates he or she is not succeeding in a course, the faculty member may discuss the situation with the student and report the student’s concerns to the Dean of Students. The Dean will then connect the student with the appropriate resources to support his/her success. These may include, but are not limited to, support from peer mentors, advisors, tutoring services, and counseling.
Academic Probation
First Academic Probation
A student is subject to the first level academic probation (Probation I) if any of the following occur:
The student’s cumulative GPA falls below 2.0
The student does not meet the minimum academic requirements (See Satisfactory Academic Progress, Sonoran University Course Catalog.)
The student fails a course/clerkship during his/her enrollment at Sonoran University
The student fails to meet the Technical Standards of Admission for prescribed program of study
Students placed on first academic probation will receive notification from the Registrar’s Office, along with a notation on their transcript, and will be required to meet with the student advisor for recommendations on how to improve their academic performance. Students are encouraged to meet with the Dean of Students to obtain additional academic assistance.
A student whose cumulative GPA (CGPA) projections shows an inability to recover from a low CPGA in subsequent terms may be subject to dismissal after being placed on the first level of probation.
Second Academic Probation
Students are placed on a second and final level of academic probation if any of the following occur:
The student’s cumulative GPA falls below 2.0 for the second time
The student does not meet the minimum academic requirements (See Satisfactory Academic Progress, Sonoran University Course Catalog.)
The student fails a course/clerkship after being placed on the first level of academic probation
The student fails to meet the Technical Standards of Admission for prescribed program of study after being placed on the first level of academic probation
Students placed on academic probation for the second time will receive notification from the Registrar’s Office, along with a notation on their transcript, and will be required to meet with the Student Advisor and the Dean of Students to discuss an academic agreement intended to improve performance. The Student Advisor will report recommendations to the APPC to review and make additional recommendations as deemed necessary
A student whose cumulative GPA (CGPA) projections shows an inability to recover from a low CPGA in subsequent terms may be subject to dismissal after being placed on the second level of academic probation.
Students on the first or second levels of academic probation who plan to continue the program at Sonoran University will be required to complete an Academic Agreement during their meeting with the Student Advisor. If the student is unable to continue in their prescribed program of study, the student may be placed on an Administrative Leave of Absence (ALOA) and may not be eligible for financial aid. The student may be eligible to re-enter their prescribed program of study as determined by the APPC and Sonoran’s ALOA policy. (See Administrative Leave of Absence, Sonoran University Course Catalog.)
The Academic Probation notation remains on the student’s transcript indefinitely. Students return to good standing when their cumulative GPA returns to 2.0 or higher and/or they pass previously failed course(s).
Academic Suspension
A student may be subject to suspension due to the same reasons as academic dismissal (see below). The APPC makes the decision for suspension or permanent academic dismissal. Except where prior approval has been granted by the Dean of Students, a suspended or dismissed student will not participate in any Sonoran-sponsored activities and will be barred from the College’s property during the suspension period and/or after dismissal.
Academic Dismissal
Students demonstrating unsatisfactory academic progress will be considered for dismissal. After being placed on academic probation for the second time, a student will be considered for dismissal if any of the following occur:
- The student’s cumulative GPA falls below 2.0
- The student does not meet the minimum academic requirements (See Satisfactory Academic Progress, Sonoran University Course Catalog.)
- The student fails a course/clerkship after being placed on the second level of academic probation
- The student fails the same course for the second time during any portion of their enrollment at Sonoran University (a course includes any didactic course or clinical clerkship in the program of study)
- The student fails to meet the Technical Standards of Admission for his/her prescribed program of study
At any time in the program, Sonoran University reserves the right to dismiss a student when his/her academic record is deemed unsatisfactory. Likewise, a student whose total record shows considerable ability and marked improvement may be given special consideration.
Students may be subject to disciplinary actions, including suspension and dismissal, for failure to follow the Code of Student Professional Conduct and Academic Honor policies as outlined in the Student Handbook (see Sonoran University Student Handbook).
Students subject to dismissal will receive a letter from the Registrar’s Office. A copy of this letter will be forwarded to the Dean of Students, Academic Policy and Progress Committee, and the Dean of Academic Affairs.
Dismissal Appeal Process
The student will be informed that they have five (5) business days in which to request an appeal to the APPC regarding dismissal. The student will receive notification from the Dean of Students regarding the outcome of the appeal.
The Dean of Students will communicate this decision to the Dean of Academic Affairs. The student will have five (5) business days to appeal in writing to the Dean of Academic Affairs (or his/her delegate), whose decision is final. While pending appeal for dismissal, a student may not attend any courses, may not participate in any Sonoran-sponsored activities, and will be barred from Sonoran’s property unless permission is given by the Dean of Students. Students who have been dismissed will not be readmitted to the college under any circumstances.
Three indicators of program success include: the percentage of students finishing the program within five years*, the percentage of graduates finding employment within the profession, and Sonoran University cohort default rate on federal loans. These outcome measures are reported below.
*Completion data has not been compiled for the five-year ND program initiated in 2014. Data will be made available in Summer of 2019.
Program Completion Rate
The ND program is 15 quarters long, or four calendar years (4 year ND program) or 19 quarters, or five calendar years (5 year ND program). Approximately 92 percent of students who graduated in the last three years completed the program within the expected four calendar years. For aggregate graduation rates, please go to the Enrollment/Graduation Rates section above.
Employment Rates of Graduates within One Year of Graduation
A second outcome measure is how readily graduates are employed. According to student report over the past three years, 81 percent of our graduates were employed in the profession within one year of graduation. For the aggregate employment rates, please go to the Employment Data.
Cohort Default Rates
A third outcome measure is cohort default rates.
The U.S. Department of Education releases 3-year cohort default rates once per year. The cohort default rate identifies students who received loans under the William D. Ford Federal Direct loan program or the Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) program during the federal fiscal year (October 1-September 30). The CDR calculates a percentage of Sonoran’s borrowers who enter repayment and default on one or more of their federal student loans within a specific time frame. The chart below identifies Sonoran’s 3 year cohort default rate. Please contact Sonoran’s Financial Aid Office with questions regarding these rates.
Sonoran University Cohort Default Rate as of Academic Year 2017/2018
For more information regarding the U.S. Department of Education official cohort default rates, please visit http://www2.ed.gov/offices/OSFAP/defaultmanagement/cdr.html. Sonoran’s U.S. Department of Education Office of Postsecondary Education Identifier (OPE ID) is: 031070.
In 2005, congress passed a law brought forward by Senator Robert Byrd (D-WV), one of the Senate’s leading constitutional experts. This law requires all educational institutions receiving federal funds, as well as federal agencies, to hold programming on the Constitution every September 17. In addition, the federal government is required to provide new employees with educational material about the Constitution. Senator Byrd, who keeps a copy of the Constitution in his pocket, told his colleagues, “Some events define and shape history…moving the world onto a new path. On September 17, 1787, just such an event occurred when the Constitution of the United States was signed.”
This Sonoran University webpage is designed to provide Sonoran University students, faculty and staff with information and educational resources on the U.S. Constitution. Students are encouraged to engage in dialogue on the various Sonoran intranet forums to discuss the Constitution and how this important document impact our lives even today.
The Continental Congress and the U.S. Constitution
Between 1774 and 1789, thirteen colonies became a nation – the United States of America. In 1774, Great Britain’s North American colonies first came together to defend themselves against wrongs committed by Great Britain. By 1789, these colonies had become independent states, joined by a new federal constitution into a single nation.
The Continental Congress (1774-1789) began as a coordinated effort to resist the British. The Congress assembled representatives from every colony. With the outbreak of the Revolutionary War, the Congress became the central institution for managing the struggle for American independence.
Independence raised new issues. How could thirteen separate self-governed states unite? What form would that union take? The Articles of Confederation (1781-1789) were America’s first attempt to govern itself as an independent nation. They united the states as a confederation – a loose league of states represented in a Congress.
In 1783, with the war formally drawing to a close, the Congress faced a wider range of issues: the disbanding of the Continental Army, the large debts owed by each state, foreign debts owed by the Confederation, the governing of territories won from the British, and the establishment of formal relationships with foreign countries.
Many Americans saw the need for a more powerful central authority; the Congress as defined by the Articles of Confederation was too weak to make the states obey congressional mandates. Despite the Congress’s continued attempts to improve its effectiveness, Americans were anxious for change. In 1786, leading statesmen called for a special convention to revise the Articles — the Constitutional Convention.
The Constitutional Convention of 1787 proposed a new constitution establishing a much stronger national government. Although this controversial new Constitution provoked a great deal of resistance, it was eventually ratified by the necessary number of states, replacing the Articles of Confederation as the framework of the United States government.
Debate and compromise, controversy and tedious detail, foreign affairs and domestic problems, are all included in the 267 documents of the Continental Congress and Constitutional Convention Broadside Collections. Including public announcements of congressional actions, drafts of legislation, committee reports, and final versions of legislation or treaties, these broadsides illustrate the evolution of a government, from a legislative body called together in the crisis of war, to an intricate system of checks and balances. These documents show the birth of the American nation.
Taken from the National Archives website on the U.S. Constitution.
Read the U.S. Constitution here.
How does the U.S. Constitution Impact You as a Student?
The Constitution, forged by the founding fathers over two hundred years ago, still has an affect on our day to day lives. You may be amazed by the number of ways that the U.S. Constitution and the bill of rights impacts your rights as a student. Important rights such as due process, freedom of speech, freedom of association, to name a few are all protected under the U.S. Constitution.
Student life aspects that relate to the Constitution include freedom of association, free speech on campus, student fees, educational malpractice and contracts to name a few. Many rights enjoyed by college students can be trace back to the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
Right to assemble, for example, is protected by the first amendment of the Constitution. The first amendment states, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” Right to assemble is what allows students at Sonoran University to organize and gain membership in the Student Government Association. The association represents the interests of the student body, acting as a liaison between administration, faculty and students.
Right to due process, for example, is protected by the fifth amendment of the constitution. The fifth amendment states, “…nor shall any person…be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law…” The Student Handbook outlines several processes for due process, including Review by College Hearing Board, Code of Conduct, and Student Rights.
Important Links to learn more about the U.S. Constitution:
You may register to vote if you are a U.S. citizen, an Arizona resident, and will be 18 by Election Day. Click here to register to vote online.
For out-of-state* students taking a distance education course through Sonoran University who reside in SARA states, the Arizona SARA Council has jurisdiction over Arizona SARA-participating institutions including Sonoran in relation to non-instructional complaints. Instructional complaints, such as grade grievances, are not reviewed by the Arizona SARA Council and should not be submitted for review. Prior to registering a non-instructional complaint with the Arizona SARA Council, the student/complainant must first complete Sonoran’s Grievance Process. If the complaint is not resolved through Sonoran’s process, the student/complainant should submit their complaint to the Arizona State Board of Private Post-Secondary Education’s Complaint Procedure.
If the non-instructional complaint has not been resolved through the complaint processes of either Sonoran University or the Arizona State Board of Private Post-Secondary Education, the complaint may be submitted to AZ-SARA via https://azsara.arizona.edu/complaints. Complaints must be submitted within two years of the incident.
*Students of Sonoran University residing in California can file financial or academic complaints online at www.dca.ca.gov or call toll-free (833) 942-1120
Sonoran University welcomes transfer students from other accredited institutions. Students entering Sonoran University who have completed coursework or have graduated from an accredited professional school or graduate-level program may apply for transfer credit evaluation. The awarding of transfer credit(s) is determined on an individual basis depending on academic standing, the type of program, degree, depth of course content, and courses completed. Coursework completed more than seven (7) years prior to matriculation at Sonoran University requires the applicant to pass a competency examination with appropriate fees. The Registrar’s Office, in conjunction with Sonoran University faculty, the respective program dean, and the Vice President of Academic Affairs, makes determinations of acceptable transfer credits. Transfer credit will not be considered after matriculation and is not subject to appeal. Transfer credits are counted toward the total hours required for graduation but are not counted toward the GPA. Transfer students are required to fulfill the same number of credits required in their program of study as outlined in the catalog. Transfer status does not imply or guarantee that a student will graduate in less time than the student’s prescribed program of study. Transfer students must complete their program in the time determined during the transfer evaluation and in accordance with the number of credits transferred (see Satisfactory Academic Progress for prescribed program of study).
Eligible Coursework
Only graduate–level coursework completed prior to matriculation at Sonoran University will be eligible for transfer credit, except for approved coursework taken while dual-enrolled at one of our partner institutions (enrolled in the ND program and at Phoenix Institute of Herbal Medicine and Acupuncture (PIHMA) or the Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health (MEZCOPH) at the University of Arizona (see Program Partnerships).
Transfer Applicants/Transferring Credit
Click for Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine (ND) program
Click for Master’s of Science in Nutrition (MS) programs
Transfer Credit Requests
Transfer credit is determined during the admissions process. Admitted students seeking transfer credit must complete the Transfer Credit Evaluation Acknowledgement form and pay the non-refundable Transfer Evaluation Fee a minimum of ten weeks prior to matriculation. The Transfer Credit Evaluation Acknowledgement form is sent to all admitted students upon admission to their program. All admission and transfer fees can be paid directly on the Sonoran University Admissions portal. The fee and the transfer credit evaluation results are valid for one academic year. Admitted students must request and submit transcripts from all prior institutions, including military training transcripts for veterans, traditional college coursework, and vocational training.
Enrollment Dates
Transfer students may matriculate at the beginning of the Fall or Spring quarters.
Transfer applicants studying in the U.S. on a visa must work with the institution they are transferring from to transfer their student visa to Sonoran University.