State Authorization Policies
State Authorizations
Loyola University, a corporation organized under the laws of this State and domiciled in the City of New Orleans, is authorized to confer upon its students, or upon any person deemed by it worthy of such distinction, degrees in the arts and sciences and all the learned professions, such as are granted by other universities in the United States, and to give diplomas or certificates thereof; provided that the curriculum or course of study in the learned professions shall equal that maintained by other standard universities. Revised Statues §2075
The US Department of Education requires that any institution offering distance education programs to students outside of its home state to acquire authorization from the states in which students are located.
Loyola University New Orleans has been approved to participate in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements. The SARA – State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement initiative is a voluntary, regional approach to state oversight of postsecondary distance education. The reciprocity allows Loyola to offer its online programs in member states which include the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and all states except California.
Currently, California does not require out-of-state non-profit accredited institutions like Loyola to register online programs without a physical presence with the State.
Loyola Licensure -Track Programs might require additional state authorization to operate in some states. Please see the School of Nursing State Authorization List for the School of Nursing State approvals.
Professional Licensure
SARA has no effect on State professional licensing requirements. Any Institution approved to participate in SARA that offers courses or programs designed to lead to Professional Licensure or certification or advertised as leading to Licensure must satisfy all federal requirements for disclosures regarding such Professional Licensure programs under 34 §C.F.R. 668.43. Additionally, as a participating SARA institution, Loyola makes all reasonable attempts to determine whether a Loyola licensure track program will meet state professional licensure requirements.
The 2019 Department of Education Higher Education Rule requires that Loyola provide published professional licensure disclosures by state for all Loyola licensure track programs regardless of modality. 1) A list of all states for which the institution has determined its curriculum meets the State educational requirements for licensure or certification. 2) A list of all States for which the institution has determined that its curriculum does not meet the State educational requirements for licensure. 3) A list of all States for which the institution has not made a determination.
The Rule also requires that Loyola make direct individual written disclosures related to professional licensure when Loyola has been able to determine that a program does not meet the state requirements for professional licensure or certification, or when Loyola has not been able to determine whether a program will meet state licensure requirements. Loyola does this by email. Additionally, we advise the student or applicant to determine whether the program meets requirements for Licensure in the State where the student or applicant is located.
Relocating during the course of a program to another state may impact state licensure requirements, access to practicums, and/or federal financial aid. Prior to relocation, please contact your program advisor to discuss the potential impact for your individual situation.
SARA Student Complaints
