Confidentiality and Privacy Policies

Student Confidentiality

The Art of Education University complies with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974. FERPA was designed to protect the privacy of educational records, establish the rights of students to inspect and review their educational records, and provide guidelines for the correction of inaccurate or misleading information through informal and formal hearings.

Identity Verification

Students must verify their identity to speak with any employee at The Art of Education University about course records, billing information, or other personal information. The student must accurately provide two pieces of information to confirm their identity for the employee to release personal information. It is the student’s responsibility to keep account information updated. 

AOEU faculty and staff will not provide information to students who are unable to verify their identity by providing the correct information on file with AOEU. 

At various times throughout the program, the institution affirms that the student who takes an assessment is the same person who enrolled in the program. Proctors use valid government-issued photo identification or other means to confirm student identity.

Name Changes

To protect the integrity of the academic student record, students at The Art of Education University can not independently make name changes on their accounts. 

Students must submit a Special Request Form to change their name for any reason. Requests for a change of name are processed by the registrar’s office. Regardless of the reason for the request, students must attach supporting documentation to change their name. Appropriate documentation can be a driver’s license, government-issued ID, marriage certificate, divorce decree, or social security card.

FERPA Notification

AOEU maintains records and documentation of student academic progress and interactions with university staff.

The Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords eligible students certain rights concerning their educational records. These rights include the following:

1. The right to inspect and review the student’s educational records within 45 days after AOEU receives a request for access. Students seeking additional information should submit a written request to the Office of the Registrar at registrar@theartofeducation.edu identifying the specific record(s) the student wishes to inspect.
2. The right to request the amendment of the student’s educational records the student believes to be inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise a violation of the student’s privacy rights under FERPA. Students requesting an educational record amendment need to contact the Office of the Registrar, clearly identifying the part of the student’s record and specifying why it should be changed. If The Art of Education University decides not to amend the record as requested, AOEU will notify the student in writing of the decision and the student’s right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the student when notified of the right to a hearing.
3. The right to provide written consent before AOEU discloses personally identifiable information (PII) from the student’s educational records, except to the extent FERPA authorizes disclosures without consent. The Art of Education University discloses educational records without a student’s prior written consent under the FERPA exception for disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A university official is typically a person employed by AOEU in an administrative, supervisory, academic, research, or support position (including law enforcement personnel); a person serving on the board of trustees; a student serving as an official volunteer; or a contractor outside of AOEU who performs an institutional service for which the school would otherwise use its own employees and is under the direct control of the institution with respect to the use and maintenance of PII from educational records, such as an attorney, auditor, collection agent, or a student volunteering to assist another university official in performing their tasks. A university official typically has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an educational record in order to fulfill their professional responsibilities for AOEU.
4. The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by AOEU to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the office that administers FERPA is:

Family Policy Compliance Office
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20202

Academic Records

Except in circumstances permitted by law, The Art of Education University will not disclose a student’s educational record without obtaining the student’s prior written consent.

Students may inspect and review their own records pertaining to admissions and academic standing.

The Art of Education University depends on the accuracy of the records submitted by its students. False information on an application or an act to intentionally mislead or misinform a faculty member or administrator will be grounds for disciplinary action, including dismissal.

Students seeking access or amendment to educational records should contact the Registrar at registrar@theartofeducation.edu or 515.236.5094.

Directory Information

The Art of Education University has designated the following as directory information:

• Name
• Address
• Telephone listing
• Email address
• Hometown
• Degree program
• Anticipated completion date
• Participation in officially recognized activities
• Photograph
• Honors and awards received
• Dates of attendance/enrollment status

Directory information is defined by the U.S. Department of Education as “information contained in the education records of a student that would not generally be considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if disclosed. Typically, “directory information” includes information such as name, address, telephone listing, date and place of birth, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, and dates of attendance. A school may disclose ‘directory information’ to third parties without consent.”

Additional policy information may be found in the current edition of the Graduate Catalog.

If you have specific questions or concerns not addressed here,  contact help@theartofeducation.edu for clarification.