Academic Programs Catalog

General Information, Policies, Procedures and Regulations

General Procedures and Regulations

Distance Education - In-Person, Online and Hybrid Programs
State Authorization and Distance Learning

The U.S. Department of Education requires an institution offering distance education programs to acquire authorization from the states in which it operates. In Fall 2015, Michigan State University began participating in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA), which is an agreement among states that establishes national standards for the interstate offering of postsecondary distance education courses and programs. Through SARA, Michigan State University may provide distance education to residents of any other SARA member state without seeking authorization from each SARA member state individually. For a comprehensive list of SARA states and institutions, see http://nc-sara.org/sara-states-institutions.

For program exceptions and a state-by-state summary showing the most recent state authorization information, please visit About State Authorization and State-By-State Authorization Summary.

SARA Complaint Information: Please see Consumer Protection, Student Complaint Information, NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR STATE AUTHORIZATION RECIPROCITY AGREEMENTS (NC-SARA).