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Online and Distance Education

State Authorization

NC State’s Online and Distance Education programs are authorized or exempt from authorization in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and U.S. territories.

The State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) is a voluntary agreement among its member states and U.S. territories that establishes comparable national standards for interstate offering of postsecondary distance education courses and programs. It is intended to make it easier for students to take online courses offered in other states, give them confidence that programs in other states are properly authorized, and improve the quality of online education. Participation in SARA also ensures that students are informed about Professional Licensure requirements, and provides a pathway for students to file Student Complaints if needed.

The National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) oversees SARA. Forty-nine states (all except California) currently participate in NC-SARA. NC-SARA operates under the authority of four regional education compacts: the Midwestern Higher Education Compact, the New England Board of Higher Education, the Southern Regional Board and the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education. North Carolina is one of 16 states in the Southern Regional Education Board compact.

NC State University was approved by SARA-North Carolina in October 2016 to participate in NC-SARA. Although California is not a member of SARA, NC State is still able to offer online education in California through an exemption from authorization.
NC State University participates in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA).

Residency Determination and Status

As of February 20, 2017, the University of North Carolina System began managing and processing all residency determinations. All NDS students requesting in-state residency consideration for tuition purposes are required to complete the North Carolina Residency Determination Service (RDS) form prior to completing the NDS application. Learn more about Residency Status.  

Professional Licensure

Visit the Professional Licensure page to find information about whether NC State University’s academic programs meet licensure requirements in your state.

Student Complaint Process

Visit the SARA Student Complaint and Grievance Process page for information on how to file complaints related to NC State University programs and learn about the steps for resolution at both the institutional and state levels.