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.
Texas 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. 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 licensure, please first contact the Online and Extended Programs, to ensure the accuracy of applicable licensure requirements. Please refer to Professional Licensure.