Accreditation and Institutional Policies

Daemen University is authorized by the Board of Regents of the State of New York to award degrees and certificates for programs registered with the New York State Board of Regents.

Accreditation

Daemen University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), 3624 Market Street, 2nd Floor West, Philadelphia, PA 19104, (267) 284-5000. Email: info@msche.org, Spanish: españolinfo@msche.org. The Middle States Commission on Higher Education is a regional accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), April 2013 and the U.S. Department of Education (USDE).

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) programs in Accounting and Business Administration and dual (B.S./M.S.) degrees in Accounting/ Professional Accountancy and in Business Administration/International Business are accredited by the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE), 11374 Strang Line Road, Lenexa, Kansas 66215, USA, (913) 631-3009, fax (913) 631-9154, a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), January 2011. E-mail: iacbe@iacbe.org.

The Athletic Training dual degree programs (B.S./M.S. Health Promotion/Athletic Training; B.S./M.S. Natural Science/Athletic Training) are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE), 6850 Austin Center Blvd., Suite 100, Austin, TX 78731-3184, (512) 733-9700, toll free (844) 462-2283.  CAATE is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), September 2014.

Baccalaureate Educator Preparation programs are currently pursuing accreditation by the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP), P.O. Box 7511 Fairfax Station, VA 22039-9998. Email: aaqep@aaqep.org.  Pursuant to the Regulations (52.21) of the New York Commissioner of Education, the educator preparation programs offered by Daemen University are considered to be continuously accredited for purposes of meeting the New York State requirement that all such programs maintain continuous accreditation.

Nursing baccalaureate (B.S.) programs are accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), 3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400, Atlanta, GA 30326, Phone: 404.975.5000, Fax: 404.975.5020, email:info@acenursing.org website: www.acenursing.org. ACEN is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), and the U.S. Department of Education (USDE).

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree and Certificate in Paralegal Studies are approved by the American Bar Association, Standing Committee on Paralegals, 321 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60654-7598, (312) 988-5000, Hotline (800) 285-2221.  American Bar Association, Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (USDE).

The clinical doctorate in Physical Therapy (DPT) is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), American Physical Therapy Association (APTA),  APTA Headquarters Accreditation Dept., 1111 North Fairfax Street, Alexandria, VA, 22314-1488, (703) 684-2782, (800) 999-2782, fax (703) 684-7343, email: accreditation@apta.org. CAPTE, an accrediting body for professional programs for the physical therapist, is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), September 2012, and the U.S. Department of Education (USDE).  Note: CAPTE accredits only programs that prepare students to sit for licensure examinations. The M.S. – Fellowship Program in Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy is credentialed by the APTA and has met the clinical guidelines of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists (AAOMPT).

The Physician Assistant Studies program (B.S./M.S., M.S.) is accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA). The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. (ARC-PA) has granted Accreditation-Continued status to the Daemen University Physician Assistant Program sponsored by Daemen University. Accreditation-Continued is an accreditation status granted when a currently accredited program is in compliance with the ARC-PA Standards. Accreditation remains in effect until the program closes or withdraws from the accreditation process or until accreditation is withdrawn for failure to comply with the Standards. The approximate date for the next validation review of the program by the ARC-PA will be 2033M. The review date is contingent upon continued compliance with the Accreditation Standards and ARC-PA policy.

The program’s accreditation history can be viewed on the ARC-PA website at http://www.arc-pa.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Accreditation-History-Daemen-College-46.pdf.

The Social Work baccalaureate and masters (MSW) programs are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation, Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), 1701 Duke Street, Suite 200, Alexandria, VA, 22314-3457, (703) 683-8080, fax (703) 683-8099, email: info@cswe.org.  CSWE is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), April 2003.

Distance Education Approval

Daemen University is approved by the New York State Education Department (NYSED) for participation in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements. The National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements, commonly known as SARA, provides a voluntary, regional approach to state oversight of postsecondary distance education.  For more information about SARA, visit their website at https://nc-sara.org/.

Affiliations

  • Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education
  • Association of American Colleges and Universities
  • Association of Governing Boards
  • Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities
  • Council of Independent Colleges
  • Council on Undergraduate Research
  • National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities
  • National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II
  • P2 Collaborative of WNY, Inc.
  • Western New York Consortium of Higher Education
  • Western New York Service Learning Coalition

Availability Statement and Procedures to Review Accrediting and Licensing Documents

Accrediting and Licensing documents are available for inspection. Requests should be in writing and sent to the:

Office of the President/Daemen University
4380 Main Street, Amherst, NY  14226-3592

Consumer Information

Here is a link to our webpage with Consumer Information

The following offices of Daemen University have been designated to disseminate consumer information:

Complaints

Daemen University is committed to serving its students effectively and responsively. Students with questions or concerns should communicate directly with the department or office concerned, with a view to resolving the issue as expeditiously as possible.  If the matter remains unresolved at the department/unit level, students should bring their complaints to the attention of the Dean of the pertinent academic college, the Dean of Students, the Bursar, or the Associate Vice President for Student Success, as applicable.  The Student Dispute Resolution Procedure or the Grievance Procedure in Discrimination and Harassment Cases (both contained in the Daemen University Student Handbook) will be followed when applicable.

Students who are unsure of whom to contact or who need further guidance may contact the Associate Vice President for Student Success, Sabrina Fennell, in the Student Success Center, Research and Information Commons, Daemen University, 4380 Main St., Amherst, NY 14226, telephone: 716.839.8228 for assistance.

Nondiscrimination & Equal Opportunity Policy

Daemen University is committed to compliance with its obligations under Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans With Disabilities Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, Executive Orders, the New York State Human Rights Law, and other applicable anti-discrimination laws.  It is the policy of Daemen University to provide all students, applicants, and employees equal access to all programs and facilities without regard to sex, sexual orientation, gender, race, color, creed, religion, veteran or military status, national origin, age, disability, familial status, marital status, domestic violence victim status, status as an ex-offender, arrest record, predisposing genetic characteristics or genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal or New York State law Furthermore, the University will not discriminate against any individual with respect to the application of university policies, or the criteria for the successful completion of any course or program on the basis of sex, sexual orientation, gender, race, color, creed, religion, veteran or military status, national origin, age, disability, familial status, marital status, domestic violence victim status, status as an ex-offender, arrest record, predisposing genetic characteristics or genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal or New York State law

Furthermore, the University will not discriminate against any individual with respect to the application of university policies, or the criteria for the successful completion of any course or program on the basis of sex, sexual orientation, gender, race, color, creed, religion, veteran or military status, national origin, age, disability, familial status, marital status, domestic violence victim status, status as an ex-offender, arrest record, predisposing genetic characteristics or genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal or New York State law.

Every person in the Daemen University community is required to be familiar with and act in accordance with this policy. This includes administrators, faculty, staff, students, contractors, and vendors. All violations of this policy will be addressed and, where appropriate, discipline will be administered. Any person or entity found in willful violation of this nondiscrimination policy shall be subject to termination, expulsion, or contract termination as appropriate.

The University President has assigned day-to-day responsibilities for the implementation and administration of this policy to the Chief Diversity Officer, Tiffany Hamilton, who is the University’s Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Officer. Any questions concerning this policy and any complaints of discrimination should be communicated to the EOAA Officer, Tiffany Hamilton, Duns Scotus Hall, Room 118, telephone 716.566.7880, thamilto@daemen.edu.

A complaint of discrimination may also be filed with the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) of the U.S. Department of Education. Complaints are to be filed within 180 calendar days of the alleged act of discrimination and may be made to the New York regional office of OCR:

New York Office
Office for Civil Rights
U.S. Department of Education
32 Old Slip, 26th Floor
New York, NY 10005-2500
Telephone: 646-428-3900
FAX: 646-428-3843; TDD: 877-521-2172
Email: OCR.NewYork@ed.gov

Accommodation of Students with Disabilities

Daemen University is committed to ensuring equal access and full participation in programs and activities for students with disabilities in compliance with section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and applicable state and local laws.  Accessibility Services is the department designated by the University to determine reasonable and appropriate accommodations and services for students with disabilities.  

It is Daemen University’s responsibility to:

  • Reduce or eliminate physical, educational and attitudinal barriers to students with disabilities.
  • Maintain confidentiality of records and communications concerning students with disabilities in accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act except where disclosure is required by law or authorized by the student. 
  • Assist students with disabilities who self-identify and meet the University’s criteria for eligibility in receiving reasonable and appropriate accommodations as determined on a case-by-case basis.
  • Provide information regarding guidelines and procedures to students with disabilities in a timely manner and in an accessible format.

PROCEDURE FOR REQUESTING AN ACCOMMODATION

If a qualified applicant for admission to the university or a student of the university anticipates a need for accommodation to complete a course of study or to participate in a university program or activity (student housing, dining, etc.), the request for accommodation should be brought to the attention of the Director of Accessibility Services at 716-839-8228.

The following are sources of information that are used for determining a disability and/or reasonable and appropriate accommodations:

Student Self Report: Students should schedule a meeting with the Director of Accessibility Services to describe their disability and the accommodations they are requesting to receive.  Students may consider including information about their experience related to their disability, barriers faced, and/or previous accommodations used.

Observation and Interaction: Observations can be valid information in a student’s self-report which further validates the need for accommodations.  Accessibility Services staff is experienced in working with students with disabilities and may be able to determine if the request is reasonable based on observations and interactions.

Documentation: Disability-related documentation should provide information on the impact of the disability so appropriate accommodations may be identified.  Documentation may include assessments, reports, and/or letters from diagnosing and treating health care providers, psychiatrists, or other qualified professionals.  Suggested documentation elements include:

  • Typed on letterhead, dated and signed by the qualifying professional
  • Diagnostic statement
  • Impact and/or symptoms of the disability
  • If appropriate, severity expected progression and list of medications and their side effects
  • Current and/or past accommodations
  • Recommendations for accommodations

Also found here: Disability Documentation Guidelines

PROCEDURE FOR RECEIVING APPROVED ACCOMMODATIONS

Accessibility Services will provide an Accommodation Letter upon request, each semester, to students who have approved accommodations specifying the accommodations approved by the University. In keeping with the University’s nondiscrimination policy, accommodations are to be made only at the request of the student, not assumed or imposed by other parties. The student shall present their Accommodation Letter to the appropriate faculty member, staff member or administrator when requesting to utilize an accommodation. Accommodations should not be provided to students without an Accommodation Letter which has been approved by the University. A student lacking such documentation should be referred to Accessibility Services.

Should any problem arise in securing an approved accommodation, the student should bring the problem to the immediate attention of the 504/ADA Compliance Officer, Associate Vice President for Student Success, Sabrina Fennell, who will assist in resolving the matter. In addition, any member of the University community with questions or concerns about the University’s disability policy and procedures should contact the 504/ADA Compliance Officer. Retaliation against students, applicants, or employees for exercising their rights under this policy is strictly prohibited and will not be tolerated. Claims of retaliation should be reported to the 504/ADA Compliance Officer.

Student Rights Under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA Policy)

Pursuant to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA), Daemen University has adopted a policy that protects the confidentiality of student educational records and grants third-party access to such records only with the student’s consent or under other limited conditions. The University may publish certain directory information, such as the student’s name, address (including email), telephone number, date and place of birth, major field of study, participation in activities and sports, weight and height of members of athletic teams, dates of attendance, enrollment status (includes advance registration data, anticipated graduation year, class status), resident status (commuter or resident), degrees and awards received, and the most recent educational institution attended by the student unless advised in writing by the student not to do so. The university policy also grants students access to their records, except, where applicable, for the financial information of their parents. A procedure has been established whereby students can challenge the content of their educational records, and if appropriate, provide a written explanation to be placed into their records. To review the full policy, see the Student Handbook (online) or contact the Registrar’s Office.