Directory of Off-Campus Class | September 2019

Table 8: NSU State Authorizations, Registrations and Exemptions NSU State Authorization  Federal and state regulations require that institutions of higher education comply with state laws  regarding distance learning. Distance learning programs may utilize a number of different instructional  methodologies including online courses or video technology.  Degree programs may also integrate some  form of supervised field experience such as an internship, externship, student teaching or practica that  takes place outside of the institution’s home state.  State regulations related to distance learning  activities are continuously changing and evolving.  NSU makes every effort to monitor these changes,  maintain appropriate state approvals, and make the most informed decisions about state authorization  compliance for its students. The University works with various regulatory agencies in each state and U.S.  Territories to seek authorizations, registrations, exemptions and/or permissions to offer distance  education programs to out‐of‐state residents who wish to enroll in these programs.    State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA)  The State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) is an agreement among member states, districts,  and territories in the United States, which establishes comparable national standards for interstate  offering of postsecondary distance education activities.  These distance education activities may include,  but not be limited to, online courses and certain types of supervised field experiences.  SARA is intended  to simplify the process of state authorization related to the aforementioned  distance education  activities by establishing a standard approval process through which institutions may participate in the  reciprocity agreement with other member states.  At present, all states except for California and  Massachusetts are members of SARA.  Although SARA facilitates state authorization for certain types of  distance education activities, the reciprocity agreement has no effect on state professional licensure  requirements  In August of 2017, the state of Florida was approved by the Southern Regional Education Board to join  SARA. On December 11, 2017 Florida’s Postsecondary Reciprocal Distance Education Coordinating  Council (PRDECC) approved NSU to register with NC‐SARA.  On January 23, 2018 NC‐SARA approved  institutional participation for NSU.   36