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Texas State Office of Distance and Extended Learning Distance Learning State Authorization

State Authorization

State Authorization Rules

On October 29, 2010, the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE) released new program integrity regulations. One of the regulations focused on the need for an institution offering distance or correspondence education to acquire authorization from any outside state in which it operates. An institution is required to demonstrate efforts to comply in each state in which it serves students, and states expect that institutions already be in compliance with their regulations before serving any students in those states. 

What This Means

Before accepting enrollments for online and correspondence courses from students residing outside of Texas who are not planning on relocating to Texas, Texas State must be in compliance with the distance learning regulations of the states in which students reside.

NC-SARA LogoTexas State Joins NC-SARA

Effective March 22, 2016, Texas State University has been approved by the State of Texas to participate in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA). NC-SARA is a voluntary, regional approach to state oversight of postsecondary distance education. NC-SARA is an agreement among member states, districts, and territories that establish comparable national standards for interstate offering of postsecondary distance education courses and programs. NC-SARA makes it easier for students to take online courses offered by postsecondary institutions based in another state.

States from Which Texas State May Accept Enrollments

Because of the NC-SARA membership, as well as authorizations previously obtained from individual states and ongoing compliance with applicable state authorization rules, Texas State is now able to accept student enrollments for online and distance education courses from students who reside in all states. For a complete list of the NC-SARA approved schools, visit the NC-SARA Institution Directory.

Internships or Practicums Not Authorized in Alabama

However, Alabama does not authorize programs requiring an internship or practicum, so students from Alabama may not enroll in an online degree program that requires an internship or practicum that takes place in Alabama.

If you are a resident of Alabama or you have questions about Texas State's approval to enroll students from your state, please contact distanceed@txstate.edu to inquire about the current status of your state with regard to this USDOE state authorization requirement.

Compliance Documentation

To view documentation of Texas State's compliance with state rules outside of NC-SARA, download Texas State's comprehensive State Compliance Documentation (download Adobe's free PDF reader if you need it). For state-by-state information on compliance including NC-SARA, select the state name in the drop-down menu below.

Licensure

Prospective students who reside outside of the state of Texas and who are interested in any online Texas State University academic program which may lead to professional licensure are expected to inquire with the appropriate licensing agency in their home state, prior to beginning the program in order to assure that the program is approved to provide the desired licensure.

Additional Information

Please note that Texas State is not authorized to conduct internships leading to professional licensure without direct coordination with the licensure board in that state.

If you wish to enroll in a distance education program that requires an internship/practicum/clinical leading towards licensures, please first contact the Texas State Office of Distance and Extended Learning, to ensure accuracy of applicable licensure requirements. Please refer to Professional Licensure.

States

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Territories

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  • Pending Confirmation:

    As an out-of-state, public, not-for-profit institution of higher education, regionally accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, Texas State University is not required to register or seek authorization to offer distance education programs in American Samoa.

    The territory of American Samoa does not have a student complaint process applicable to out-of-state public institutions.  The student complaints should be filed under the state’s postsecondary agency the school originated in.  American Samoa is a non-participant of NC-SARA.

    Student Complaint Process:

    American Samoa Community College

    Mesepa, Western District 96799

    American Samoa

    684.699.9155

    k.kolhoff@amsamoa.edu

    http://www.amsamoa.edu/institution/bhe.html

  • Pending Confirmation:

    As an out-of-state, public, not-for-profit institution of higher education, regionally accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, Texas State University is not required to register or seek authorization to offer distance education programs in Guam.

    The territory of Guam does not have a student complaint process applicable to out-of-state public institutions. The student complaints should be filed under the state’s postsecondary agency the school originated in.  Guam is a non-participant of NC-SARA.

    Student Complaint Process:

    University of Guam

    University Drive

    Mangilao, 96923, Guam

    671.735.2990

    Anacletus2010@gmail.com

    www.uog.edu/

  • Pending Confirmation:

    As an out-of-state, public, not-for-profit institution of higher education, regionally accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, Texas State University is not required to register or seek authorization to offer distance education programs in the Northern Mariana Islands.

    The territory of Northern Mariana Islands does not have a student complaint process applicable to out-of-state public institutions.  The student complaints should be filed under the state’s postsecondary agency the school originated in.  The Northern Mariana Islands is a non-participant of NC-SARA.

    Student Complaint Process:

    Northern Mariana Islands Postsecondary Education

    Office of the NMC President

    P.O. Box 501250

    Saipan MP 96950

    nmc@marianas.edu

    www.marianas.edu/index.php

  • As a member of NC-SARA, the territory of Puerto Rico does not require any additional state authorization requirements from SARA participant institutions and who are compliant with SARA policies and standards.

    Student Complaint Process:

    The Puerto Rico Council on Education

    268 Ponce de Leon Avenue

    The Hato Rey Center, Floor 15

    Hato Rey, P.R. 00918

    787.641.7100

    http://www.agencias.pr.gov/agencias/cepr/inicio/licenciamiento/Pages/Educacion-Superior.aspx

    Complaint Form:    http://www.agencias.pr.gov/agencias/cepr/inicio/DocumentosCEPR/Documents/SARA/SARA_Complaint_Process.pdf

    Puerto Rico SARA State Portal Entity:

    Puerto Rico Council on Education

    P.O. Box 19900

    San Juan, P.R.  00919-1900

    787.641.7100 ext 2056

    dbaez@estado.pr.gov

    https://agencias.pr.gov/agencias/cepr/inicio/Pages/SARA.aspx

  • As a member of NC-SARA, the U.S. Virgin Islands does not require any additional state authorization requirements from SARA participant institutions and who are compliant with SARA policies and standards.

    Student Complaint Process:

    University of the Virgin Islands

    #2 John Brewers Bay

    St. Thomas, VI  00802

    340.693.1200

    https://www.uvi.edu/

    U.S. Virgin Islands SARA State Portal Entity:

    University of the Virgin Islands

    #2 John Brewers Bay

    St. Thomas, VI  00802

    340.693.1200

    cmckayl@uvi.edu