Complaints & Appeals

Policies & Procedures

Complaints & Appeals

Clinical Pastoral Education International is committed to addressing concerns fairly, respectfully, and promptly.

Students, faculty, staff, members, applicants, and other stakeholders are encouraged to raise concerns so they can be reviewed and resolved appropriately.

Whenever possible, concerns should first be discussed with the person or department most directly involved. Many questions and misunderstandings can be resolved through respectful communication.

Understanding the Process

Types of concerns

Complaint

An informal concern or disagreement that should be addressed directly with the appropriate person whenever possible.

Grievance

A formal written complaint submitted when an issue has not been resolved informally.

General Appeal

A request for an additional institutional review when a person believes a grievance has not been resolved satisfactorily.

Step One

Filing a Grievance

A formal grievance should:

  • Be submitted in writing.
  • Clearly describe the concern and the requested resolution.
  • Be submitted within 10 calendar days of the incident giving rise to the grievance.

Ready to submit?

Use the official CPEI grievance form to begin the formal review process.

Submit a Grievance

Step Two

Filing a General Appeal

A General Appeal may be submitted when a grievance has not been resolved satisfactorily.

A General Appeal should:

  • Be submitted in writing.
  • Be filed within 10 calendar days after the grievance process concludes.
  • Explain why the previous resolution is believed to be unsatisfactory.

Request an additional review

Use the official General Appeal form to request further institutional consideration.

Submit a General Appeal

After You Submit

What happens next?

Grievance Review

  • The grievance is reviewed by the Chief Executive Officer or Chief Academic Officer.
  • It may be forwarded to the appropriate person or department.
  • CPEI seeks to provide a response or resolution within five business days whenever possible.

General Appeal Review

  • The appeal is referred to the CPEI Ethics Chair.
  • At least one additional reviewer is appointed.
  • A written response is generally provided within 15 business days.
  • A mediator may be appointed when appropriate.
  • The decision reached through the appeal is considered final.

Concerns Involving Internship or Clinical Sites

Concerns involving harassment, abuse, discrimination, unsafe conditions, or other serious matters at an internship or clinical placement should also be reported to the appropriate authorities within that organization, in addition to notifying CPEI.

Accreditation Complaints

Distance Education Accrediting Commission

After completing CPEI’s internal complaint process, a student who believes the matter has not been resolved may submit an accreditation-related complaint to the Distance Education Accrediting Commission.

View the DEAC Complaint Process

Questions?

We’re here to help.

Contact CPEI if you have questions about the complaints, grievance, or appeals process before submitting a formal concern.

 
 
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