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

College of Nursing and Health Sciences

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
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 State Board of Private Career Education
California Bureau of Private Postsecondary Education: In-State
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 Commission of Higher Education
Iowa Iowa College Student Aid Commission
Kansas Kansas Board of Regents
Kentucky Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education
Kentucky Commission on Proprietary Education
Louisiana Louisiana Board of Regents
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 Department of Higher Education
Michigan Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs 
Minnesota Minnesota Office of Higher Education
Mississippi Mississippi Commission on College Accreditation
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 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
Office of the Secretary of Higher Education
New Mexico New Mexico Higher Education Department
New York Office of College and University Evaluation
Adult Career and Continuing Ed. Services
North Carolina The University of North Carolina Board of Governors
The North Carolina Community College System (Office of Proprietary School Services)
North Dakota North Dakota State Board for Career and Technical Education
North Dakota University System
Ohio The Ohio Board of Regents
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 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.