SARA Professional Licensure Grievances

Many states have prescribed an authorization process for out-of-state institutions delivering online programs to its states residents to ensure quality post-secondary education, to preserve the integrity of an academic degree, and to instill greater consumer protection for its student citizens. For additional information about state authorization visit the WICHE Cooperative for Educational Technologies (WCET) web site.

SARA

As of February 16, 2016 the University of Georgia has been approved by the Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission (GNPEC) 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. Institutions that are members of SARA are authorized to provide online education to students from all SARA member states. States and institutions that choose to become members of SARA operate under a set of policies and standards overseen by the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements and administered by four regional higher education compacts. For more information about the SARA initiative and the progress of state and institutional membership, please visit http://nc-sara.org/sara-states-institutions.

As a National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) approved institution, the University of Georgia is authorized to offer our online programs to students who reside in the following SARA states and territories. UGA is not approved to offer our online programs in American Samoa, Guam, nor the Northern Mariana Islands.

Alabama Maine Oklahoma
Alaska Maryland Oregon
Arizona Massachusetts Pennsylvania
Arkansas Michigan Puerto Rico
Colorado Minnesota Rhode Island
Connecticut Mississippi South Carolina
Delaware Missouri South Dakota
District of Columbia Montana Tennessee
Florida Nebraska Texas
Georgia Nevada U.S. Virgin Islands
Hawaii New Hampshire Utah
Idaho New Jersey Vermont
Illinois New Mexico Virginia
Indiana New York Washington
Iowa North Carolina West Virginia
Kansas North Dakota Wisconsin
Kentucky Ohio Wyoming
Louisiana    

 

Disclosures:

California is not an NC-SARA member; however, public institutions do not need to seek approval to operate in California. Therefore, the University of Georgia may accept admission applications to UGA online and distance education certificates and degree programs from California residents.

Please be advised that certain online programs, which include internships, practicums, or other experiential requirements may trigger additional State Authorization requirements. Individuals may check program availability in your state by contacting online@uga.edu.

 

SARA Student Complaint Process

Professional Licensure

If you are not a resident of Georgia, and you are considering a UGA online course or program leading to professional licensure and intend to practice your profession outside the state of Georgia, UGA cannot confirm whether the course or program meets requirements for professional licensure in your state. Please contact the appropriate licensing agency in your state to request information and additional guidance before beginning a program outside of your state. 

Additional information and disclosures regarding state licensure for professional practice can be found at the UGA Licensure Disclosure Portal.

Licensed Professions by State 

The following chart contains links to program-related state licensing boards:

Profession National Body
Education/Teaching

U.S Department of Education
Certified Financial Planner

CFP Board
Social Work

Association of Social Work Boards
Regulatory Sciences

RAC Credential - RAPS

Grievances

The University of Georgia seeks to resolve concerns and complaints in a fair and prompt manner. Current or prospective University of Georgia students who have a complaint may submit their concerns to the appropriate department. Complaints about grades or student conduct should be submitted to the university and may not be appealed to the SARA portal agency. Before pursuing external options, exhaust all internal avenues of complaint resolution by first visiting the University of Georgia Division of Student Affairs Complaints and Appeals page.

More detailed information about the SARA student complaint process can also be found on the NC-SARA website and in the NC-SARA manual.

Complaints should be filed with the SARA State Portal Entity for Georgia, unless you are located in CA or MA.

Georgia Portal Entity Contact
Patricia Neri, GA-SARA Coordinator
Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission (GNPEC)
2082 East Exchange Place, Suite 220
Tucker, GA 30084
(770) 441-3232
GASARA@gnpec.org

California
California Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) handles complaints for California students who are enrolled via distance education in out-of-state public and private non-profit institutions. The California DCA also oversees the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education, which handles complaints regarding for profit institutions, and will assist DCA in handling complaints regarding public and private non-profit institutions.

Massachusetts
Massachusetts Division of Professional Licensure Office of Private Occupational School Education

Current or prospective University of Georgia students with a concern directly related to online learning may call the Office of Online Learning toll free at (844) 842-3894 or submit a complaint via email to online@uga.edu.

In the unlikely event that a complaint cannot be resolved through the University of Georgia process, students may file a complaint with their resident state licensing authority. Georgia residents may complete the Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission Authorized School Complaint form.

If you live outside of Georgia, contact information for your state can be located in the Directory of State Authorization Agencies and Lead Contacts (.pdf)

Complaints that are not resolved after all University avenues have been exhausted may also be filed with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

SACS policies and information for filing a complaint (.pdf)