Valdosta State University is proud to offer fully online and hybrid degree programs and certificate courses. Designed by expert faculty in the field of online learning and eLearning's Instructional Designers, you can expect personalized and quality education and programming with the flexibility of distance learning. 

In compliance with State Authorization for the delivery of distance education, some online degree and certificate programs may not be available in all states. Certain programs may require practicums, guided experiential learning, proctored examinations, internships or student teaching which trigger State Authorization. In our effort to provide rigorous and relevant distance learning education, Valdosta State University recognizes the policies set forth by the National Council of State Authorization of Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA). "NC-SARA coordinates with a broad array of higher education stakeholders to ensure alignment on core elements and requirements of SARA, support quality assurance and consumer protections for students, and increase the value of credits earned through distance learning programs" (NC-SARA, 2020). 

Professional Licensure Disclosures

Valdosta State University offers degree programs that fulfill the educational requirements for students to apply for professional licensure or certification in Georgia. However, these programs may not meet the education requirements in other states.

Educational requirements vary by state or certification board, and there may be additional requirements that must be met. Students are encouraged to reach out to the relevant licensing entity for further information and guidance.

VSU has evaluated all of its professional licensure programs. Each program has been assigned one of the following disclosure statuses for a state/U.S. territory:

  • Meets Requirements - (a student attestation is not required)
  • Does Not Meet Requirements - (a student attestation is required)

In order for students to enroll in a program that has the status of "Does Not Meet Requirements" for a state/U.S. territory, they must go through the university's attestation process and attest to seek employment in a state that meets the educational requirements.

College of Education

College of Nursing and Health Sciences

Professional Licensure Directory

NC-SARA has worked with the SARA State Portal Entities (SPEs) and regional compacts to create the Professional Licensure Directory, which provides contact information for five programs that lead to a professional license:

  • Counseling
  • Nursing
  • Psychology
  • Social work
  • Teacher Education

This directory does not contain specific information regarding regulations or requirements, but rather provides general contact information. NC-SARA updates this directory twice annually.

Click the program links below to be directed to the NC-SARA Professional Licensure Directory**

Licensure Information by Program
PROGRAM LAST UPDATED
Counseling July 2024
Nursing July 2024
Psychology July 2024
Social Work July 2024
Teacher Education July 2024
**Information found here has been linked directly to
NC - SARA's Professional Licensure Directory

 

 

 

 

 

Complaints/Grievances Process

Valdosta State University is committed to providing the best student experience and we strive to provide student policies and procedures that are reasonable, fairly administered, and well-publicized. Our Student Concerns and Complaints/Grievances page provides details about the student complaint and grievance process and procedures.

Should the situation arise, students have the right to file a complaint concerning SARA-related regulations of online degree and certificate programs. Below, review the process for filing that complaint as well as specific contact information for each state. 

*Note: Student complaints about grades or student conduct may not be appealed to the portal agency. Additionally, home state portal agencies report the status of complaint(s) to NC-SARA on a quarterly basis. 

Complaint Information by State

Student Complaint Information by State and Agency
STATE AGENCY NAME
Alabama Alabama Commission on Higher Education - Office of Institutional Effectiveness and Planning
ACCS Private School Licensing Division
Alaska Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education
American Samoa Not Found
Arizona Arizona State Board for Private Postsecondary Education
Arkansas Arkansas Department of Higher Education
California Bureau of Private Postsecondary Education: In-State
Bureau of Private Postsecondary Education: Out-of-State
Colorado Colorado Department of Higher Education and Private Occupational Schools
Connecticut The Office of Higher Education
Delaware Delaware Department of Education - Student Complaint Policy offered is only for the purposes of SARA. No other student complaint policy found on the website.
District of Columbia Education Licensure Commission - FAQ for Students indicates that complaints may be submitted to the HELC, but no link provided. HELC Public Complaints Webpage.
Florida Commission for Independent Education - Department of Education
Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission
Guam Not Found
Hawaii Hawaii Post-Secondary Education Authorization Program
Idaho Idaho State Board of Education
Illinois Illinois Board of Higher Education
Indiana Indiana Department of Workforce Development
Indiana Commission of Higher Education
Iowa Iowa College Student Aid Commission
Kansas Kansas Board of Regents
Kentucky Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education
Kentucky Commission on Proprietary Education
Louisiana State of Louisiana Board of Regents
Proprietary Schools
Maine Maine Department of Education Higher Education
Maryland Maryland Higher Education Commission
Massachusetts Office of Private Occupational School Education
Massachusetts Department of Higher Education
Michigan Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs 
Minnesota Minnesota Office of Higher Education
Mississippi Mississippi Commission on College Accreditation
Commission on Proprietary School and College Registration
Missouri Missouri Department of Higher Education
Montana Montana University System, Montana Board of Regents
Nebraska Nebraska Department of Education, Private Postsecondary Career Schools
Nebraska Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education
Nevada Nevada Commission on Postsecondary Education
New Hampshire Department of Education, Division of Higher Education, Higher Education Commission
New Jersey New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Center for Occupational Employment Information
Office of the Secretary of Higher Education
New Mexico New Mexico Higher Education Department
New York Office of College and University Evaluation
Adult Career and Continuing Ed. Services
North Carolina The University of North Carolina Board of Governors
The North Carolina Community College System (Office of Proprietary School Services)
North Dakota North Dakota State Board for Career and Technical Education
North Dakota University System
Ohio The Ohio Board of Regents
Ohio State Board of Career Colleges and Schools
Oklahoma Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education
Oklahoma Board of Career and Technology Education
The Oklahoma Board of Private Vocational Schools
Oregon Higher Education Coordinating Commission
Pennsylvania Department of Education
Puerto Rico Puerto Rico Council on Education 
Republic of Palau Not Found
Republic of Marshall Islands Not Found
Rhode Island Rhode Island Board of Governors for Higher Education
South Carolina South Carolina Commission on Higher Education
South Dakota South Dakota Office of Attorney General Consumer Protection
Tennessee Tennessee Higher Education Commission
Texas Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
U.S. Virgin Islands Not Found
Utah Utah Division of Consumer Protection
Vermont Vermont State Board of Education
Virginia State Council of Higher Education for Virginia
Washington Washington Student Achievement Council
Washington Workforce Training and Educ. Coord. Board
West Virginia West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission
West Virginia Council for Community and Technical Education
Wisconsin Wisconsin Educational Approval Board
Wyoming Wyoming Department of Education