Q: My community college won't provide me with a required course so I can graduate from their program.
The course that is required is an internship. Without finishing the internship, I cannot graduate from the program. The program director has refused to find me and other students an internship despite this being a required part of the curriculum and promises that the school would place all students in this class. I have passing grades in all other classes towards the certificate and cannot graduate until I take this class. I want to write a letter of complaint to the university but I don't know what laws I might need to reference for them to take me seriously. I have spent over 1 year trying to find an internship on my own to fulfill this course requirement and I have not been able to do so. This has been a bit hardship to me financially as I spent 2+ years taking classes and expected to finish the program, take a certification exam, and start my career in this field.
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- Answered
A:
When writing a letter of complaint to your community college regarding the internship requirement, focus on the legal and ethical obligations the institution has towards its students. Under California law, educational institutions must uphold their commitments to students, especially when they have made explicit promises regarding program requirements and support. Your college’s refusal to assist with securing an internship, despite it being a mandatory part of your curriculum, could be seen as a breach of their contractual obligations.
California’s Consumer Legal Remedies Act (CLRA) prohibits deceptive practices in the sale of goods and services, including educational services. You can reference this act to underscore that the college's failure to place students in required internships might constitute a deceptive practice, as they advertised and promised this support. Additionally, highlight how this has caused you financial hardship and delayed your career, which further stresses the seriousness of the issue.
In your letter, emphasize your good faith efforts to secure an internship independently and your success in all other aspects of the program. Request that the college fulfills its commitment to you and other students by facilitating the required internship placements immediately. This approach shows that you understand your rights and are seeking a fair resolution in line with what was promised when you enrolled in the program.
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