State Authorization

Valdosta State University is proud to offer fully online and hybrid degree programs and certificate courses. Designed by expert faculty in the field of online learning and eLearning's Instructional Designers, you can expect personalized and quality education and programming with the flexibility of distance learning.

In compliance with State Authorization for the delivery of distance education, some online degree and certificate programs may not be available in all states. Certain programs may require practicums, guided experiential learning, proctored examinations, internships or student teaching which trigger State Authorization. In our effort to provide rigorous and relevant distance learning education, Valdosta State University recognizes the policies set forth by the National Council of State Authorization of Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA). "NC-SARA coordinates with a broad array of higher education stakeholders to ensure alignment on core elements and requirements of SARA, support quality assurance and consumer protections for students, and increase the value of credits earned through distance learning programs" (NC-SARA, 2020).

Professional Licensure Disclosures

If you are not a resident of Georgia, and you are taking an online course or program leading to professional licensure, Valdosta State University may not have made a determination that a course or program meets the requirements for professional licensure in your state. Please check with the appropriate licensing board in your state to determine whether the course or program meets the requirements for licensure in your state.

College of Education

Professional Licensure or Certification Disclosure: Fully Online Educator Preparation Programs

College of Nursing and Health Sciences

Professional Licensure or Certification Disclosure: Fully Online Nursing Certifications

Professional Licensure Directory

NC-SARA has worked with the SARA State Portal Entities (SPEs) and regional compacts to create the Professional Licensure Directory, which provides contact information for five programs that lead to a professional license:

Counseling
Nursing
Psychology
Social work
Teacher Education

This directory does not contain specific information regarding regulations or requirements, but rather provides general contact information. NC-SARA updates this directory twice annually.

Licensure information by program
Click the links below to be directed to the Professional Licensure Spreadsheets	Last Updated
Counseling	September 2021
Nursing	September 2021
Psychology	September 2021
Social Work	September 2021
Teacher Education	September 2021
**Information found here has been linked directly to NC - SARA's website

Complaints/Grievances Process

Valdosta State University is committed to providing the best student experience and we strive to provide student policies and procedures that are reasonable, fairly administered, and well-publicized. Our Student Concerns and Complaints/Grievances page provides details about the student complaint and grievance process and procedures.

Should the situation arise, students have the right to file a complaint concerning SARA-related regulations of online degree and certificate programs. Below, review the process for filing that complaint as well as specific contact information for each state.

*Note: Student complaints about grades or student conduct may not be appealed to the portal agency. Additionally, home state portal agencies report the status of complaint(s) to NC-SARA on a quarterly basis.

Complaint information by state
Student Complaint Information by State and Agency
State	Agency Name
Alabama	Alabama Commission on Higher Education - Office of Institutional Effectiveness and Planning
Alabama	ACCS Private School Licensing Division
Alaska	Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education
Arizona	Arizona State Board for Private Postsecondary Education
Arkansas	Arkansas Department of Higher Education
Arkansas	Arkansas State Board of Private Career Education
California	Bureau of Private Postsecondary Education: In-State
California	Bureau of Private Postsecondary Education: Out-of-State
Colorado	Colorado Department of Higher Education and Private Occupational Schools
Connecticut	The Office of Financial and Academic Affairs for Higher Education
Delaware	Delaware Department of Education
District of Columbia	Education Licensure Commission
Florida	Commission for Independent Education - Department of Education
Georgia	Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission
Hawaii	Hawaii Post-Secondary Education Authorization Program
Idaho	Idaho State Board of Education
Illinois	Illinois Board of Higher Education
Indiana	Indiana Department of Workforce Development
Indiana	Indiana Commission of Higher Education
Iowa	Iowa College Student Aid Commission
Kansas	Kansas Board of Regents
Kentucky	Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education
Kentucky	Kentucky Commission on Proprietary Education
Louisiana	Louisiana Board of Regents
Louisiana	Proprietary Schools
Maine	Maine Department of Education, Office of Higher Education Services
Maryland	Maryland Higher Education Commission
Massachusetts	Office of Private Occupational School Education
Massachusetts	Massachusetts Department of Higher Education
Michigan	Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs
Minnesota	Minnesota Office of Higher Education
Mississippi	Mississippi Commission on College Accreditation
Mississippi	Commission on Proprietary School and College Registration
Missouri	Missouri Department of Higher Education
Montana	Montana University System, Montana Board of Regents
Nebraska	Nebraska Department of Education, Private Postsecondary Career Schools
Nebraska	Nebraska Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education
Nevada	Nevada Commission on Postsecondary Education
New Hampshire	Department of Education, Division of Higher Education, Higher Education Commission
New Jersey	New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Center for Occupational Employment Information
New Jersey	Office of the Secretary of Higher Education
New Mexico	New Mexico Higher Education Department
New York	Office of College and University Evaluation
New York	Adult Career and Continuing Ed. Services
North Carolina	The University of North Carolina Board of Governors
North Carolina	The North Carolina Community College System (Office of Proprietary School Services)
North Dakota	North Dakota State Board for Career and Technical Education
North Dakota	North Dakota University System
Ohio	The Ohio Board of Regents
Ohio	Ohio State Board of Career Colleges and Schools
Oklahoma	Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education
	Oklahoma Board of Career and Technology Education
	The Oklahoma Board of Private Vocational Schools
Oregon	Higher Education Coordinating Commission
Pennsylvania	Department of Education
Puerto Rico	Puerto Rico Council on Education
Rhode Island	Rhode Island Board of Governors for Higher Education
South Carolina	South Carolina Commission on Higher Education
Tennessee	Tennessee Higher Education Commission
Texas	Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
Utah	Utah Division of Consumer Protection
Vermont	Vermont State Board of Education
Virginia	Private and Out-of-State Postsecondary Education, State Council of Higher Education for Virginia
Washington	Washington Student Achievement Council
Washington	Washington Workforce Training and Educ. Coord. Board
Wisconsin	Wisconsin Educational Approval Board
Wyoming	Wyoming Department of Education

**California Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) and the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education handles complaints for California students who are enrolled via distance education in out-of-state public, private non-profit, and for-profit institutions.