Valdosta State University is proud to offer fully online 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.

The U.S. Department of Education requires compliance with state regulations of any state in which VSU provides distance education for students. To facilitate compliance with state regulations, VSU is a participating institution in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) administered by GA-SARA. The Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission has been designated the portal agency for SARA – the entity responsible for coordinating SARA activities in Georgia. The contact information for the Georgia Portal Agency is:

Magda Rivers, Deputy Director/GA-SARA Coordinator
Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission (GNPEC)
2082 East Exchange Place, Suite 220
Tucker, GA 30084
Tel: 770.414.2644
Email: mrivers@gnpec.ga.gov

SARA membership allows VSU to offer distance education in other member states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. California is not a member of SARA and does not regulate distance education offered through public institutions. Residents outside of the United States must follow their country or province's distance education rules and regulations.

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 SARA.

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.

Each U.S. state and territory defines its own requirements for licensing and certification in professional fields, 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 dedicated to offering the best student experience by ensuring that its policies and procedures are fair, reasonable, and well-publicized. Should the situation arise, students have the right to file a complaint regarding SARA-related regulations for online degree and certificate programs.

The following complaint procedures apply to students who reside in SARA states:

  1. Students should submit an initial complaint using VSU’s Student Concerns and Complaints/Grievances page. It provides details about the student complaint and grievance process and procedures. Note: Student complaints about grades or student conduct may not be appealed to the portal agency.
  2. Students who want to appeal a VSU resolution of a complaint (excluding grade disputes or student conduct violations) can file an appeal with the Georgia Portal Agency. This must be done within two years of the incident in question. To begin the process, review the GA-SARA Student Complaint Rules and submit a GNPEC Student Complaint Form. The decision made by the Georgia Portal Agency will be final.
  3. California is not a member of SARA and does not regulate distance education provided by public institutions. Students in California who wish to file a complaint should contact the State of California’s Department of Consumer Affairs.
  4. If you are an out-of-state student and believe your complaint has not been resolved through these grievance procedures, you can file a complaint with the state where you reside. To comply with Federal Department of Education regulations, please visit the Student Complaint Information by State and Agency website.