Distance Education: State Authorization and Student Grievance Information

Reauthorization of the Higher Education Act includes regulations regarding the delivery of distance education to out-of-state residents.

The United States Department of Education (USDOE) require that institutions comply with any applicable state approval or licensure requirements in each state to which distance education instruction is delivered. Some states require universities to seek approval before enrolling their residents, and the approval processes can be expensive and time intensive. Tarleton is working to obtain authorization to enroll students from other states. However, due to authorization and review processes associated with some states, we may be limited in our ability to accept some distance learning course enrollments.

Please contact [email protected] to inquire about the current status of your state with regard to this USDOE state authorization requirement or file a complaint. Depending on the status of your state of residence regarding this requirement, Tarleton State University may notify you that you are not eligible to register for Tarleton State University distance learning courses.

As a participant in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA), Tarleton may admit students who live in states that are members of NC-SARA. The member states and participation institutions are listed on the NC-SARA website. Through SARA, Tarleton State University may provide distance education to residents of any other SARA member state without seeking authorization from each SARA member state. All states, with the exception of California, currently participate in SARA. As an accredited public institution, Tarleton State University is exempt from approval by the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education, thus Bureau approval for Tarleton State University to offer its programs online to residents of California is not required. Therefore, Tarleton State University is in compliance with California regulations concerning postsecondary distance education.

Additionally, students have the right to file a complaint against an institution when these requirements are not followed or regarding the loss of tuition and fees as a result of an unfair business practice. Institutions must provide current and prospective students with contact information for filing complaints with its accrediting body and the appropriate state agency for handling complaints in a student’s state.

Tarleton State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges(SACSCOC) to award the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees.

You may also file a complaint with Tarleton State University’s regional accrediting agency, SACSCOC. Complete the Commission’s Complaint Form and send two print copies to the President, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097.