State Authorizations for Distance Education & Field Experiences

Overview

In collaboration with campus-wide partners, Georgia College & State University actively monitors the status of federal and state regulations pertaining to the delivery of distance education. Every U.S. state has enacted laws and regulations governing activities by educational providers in their jurisdiction, and each state has its own standards of when an educational provider has crossed a statutory threshold into regulation.

An educational institution’s eligibility to provide federal financial aid is tied to compliance with the distance education laws in each jurisdiction where educational activities are subject to state regulation. Accordingly, Georgia College & State University works with campus partners and with state agencies where authorization is required to ensure compliance with relevant distance education regulations. Inquiries about distance education regulations at Georgia College & State University should be submitted to the Center for Teaching & Learning (ctl@gcsu.edu).

Georgia SARA and Other State Entities

Georgia College & State University is a participating institution in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) administered by GA-SARA. The Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission is the designated the portal agency for SARA – the entity responsible for coordinating SARA activities in Georgia. 

Through its SARA designation, GCSU is authorized or not subject to approval to offer distance education in every state and Puerto Rico. GS periodically reviews the SARA regulations regarding authorization to offer distance education; however, it is ultimately the student’s responsibility to be aware of the specific circumstances in their state of residence while participating in distance education.

As a SARA participant, GCSU may engage in the following activities:

• Enroll online students from SARA member states, subject to program-specific state authorization permissions.
• Allow current Georgia College & State University students to complete experiential learning placements in SARA member states, subject to certain limitations.
• Permit current Georgia College & State University students to engage in independent research or field study in SARA member states.
• Arrange Georgia College & State University-sponsored field trips in SARA member states.
• Offer short courses and seminars in SARA member states, subject to the SARA parameters for short courses listed in the SARA Manual.

SARA is intended to make it easier for students to take online courses offered by postsecondary institutions based in another state, thereby increasing educational opportunity and access. It protects students in other states by providing a process by which out-of-state distance learning students can have their complaints about substantive programmatic or institutional issues addressed.

Under SARA Policies and Standards, the following complaint procedures apply to students who reside in SARA states: 

1. Students should first direct their initial complaint through Georgia College & State University’s Complaint Portal. Note: Student grade appeals and/or student conduct violations “are governed entirely by institutional policy and the laws of the SARA institution’s home state.” (State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements Policies and Standards).
2. Students who wish to appeal a Georgia College & State University resolution of a complaint may direct an appeal (except for complaints about grades or student conduct violations), within two years of the incident about which the complaint is made, to the Georgia Portal Agency by reviewing the GA-SARA Student Complaint Rules and submitting a GNPEC Student Complaint Form. The resolution of the complaint by the Georgia Portal Agency is final.
3. California is not a member of SARA and does not currently regulate distance education offered through public institutions. If students in the state of California wish to file a complaint, please visit the State of California’s Department of Consumer Affairs.
4. If you are an out-of-state student and have a complaint that you feel has not been resolved through these grievance procedures, you may file a complaint with the state in which you reside. In compliance with Federal Department of Education regulations, please visit the Student Complaint Information by State and Agency website.

Professional License Disclosure Statement

NC-SARA reciprocity agreements do not include oversight of professional licensing board approval for any courses or programs leading to professional licensure (e.g. teacher education, nursing, etc.). This applies to all applicable Georgia College & State University academic programs that prepare students for licensure in the state of Georgia. Because many of our students enrolled in online professional programs may reside outside of the state of Georgia, Georgia College & State University has worked to verify whether its programs meet requirements for licensure in other states. Licensure disclosures for our various distance programs can be found further down on this page under their respective discipline. If Georgia College & State University has determined that our program does not satisfy the education requirements for certification in another state or if a determination has not been made, then  the student has two options. EITHER the student needs to complete the Statement of Attestation indicating that they are aware the curriculum does not meet the certification requirements OR Georgia College & State University is not allowed to admit them to the program. In order to comply with U.S. Department of Education regulations regarding distance education and professional licensure, Georgia College & State University is required to make this disclosure with respect to professional licensure outside the state of Georgia. 

Important note to GCSU students residing outside of Georgia

With the growing demand for online programming, Georgia College & State University is mindful of the needs of our out-of-state students. While it is the student’s responsibility to confirm eligibility for licensure in any state outside of Georgia, we are committed to assisting you with contacting the appropriate agency in your state. To assist with these efforts, any students enrolled in online programs which customarily lead to professional licensure will be provided this information and follow-up assistance from their program, department, and college faculty and staff as needed.

If you have any questions regarding licensure requirements in any state outside of GA, please contact your department for assistance, or you may contact the higher education agency in your state. The State Higher Education Executive Officers Association (SHEEO) provides a list of contacts.