State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA)
State Authorization and Licensure
Valley City State University participates in federal financial aid programs under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965. As such, the university is required to comply with recently published regulations that clarify the required institutional disclosures for distance education. These policies require licensure programs to share information with out-of-state students about reciprocity agreements between state licensing boards.
Since April 2014, VCSU has participated in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA), an agreement among states that establishes national standards for the interstate offering of postsecondary distance-education courses and programs. Our on-ground, online and distance programs including Elementary Education, Secondary Education and Master of Arts in Teaching have been approved by the State of North Dakota and the North Dakota University System. Visit NC-SARA for more information.
Domestic Residency and Change in Physical Presence
Course and program availability varies by state. Admission into a program is granted at the time of initial acceptance into the program and is dependent on program availability in the state where the student is physically located at the time of admission.
If a student moves to a different state after admission to the program, continuation within the program will depend on the availability of the program within the new state where the student is physically present. It is the student’s responsibility to notify the institution of a change in physical presence.
NORTH DAKOTA EDUCATION STANDARDS & PRACTICE BOARDS
Valley City State University’s nationally accredited education programs have been designed to meet the licensure/certification requirements in North Dakota and prepare students for licensure exams in North Dakota. VCSU has not yet made a determination of whether the program curriculum meets the educational requirements for licensure in other U.S. States and territories. Once a determination is made this page will be updated. Please visit the U.S. Department of Education and contact the appropriate state department/agency for more information. More information comparing teacher license reciprocity between the fifty states can be found at the Education Commission of the United States.
Students planning to teach outside of the state of North Dakota are required to speak with an academic advisor prior to beginning any on-campus or online/distance teacher education program. This will ensure that all students understand the licensure requirements in the state where they intend to teach.
Student Complaints Process
All students deserve a positive educational experience, and here at Valley City State University we pride ourselves on the quality of education we provide. Still, we want to provide all of the information that you would need were you to feel compelled to file a complaint or grievance. The student should begin the complaint process with VCSU and if resolution is not found, should contact the SARA State Portal Entity listed here: https://www.nc-sara.org/state-portal-entity-contacts