Online Learning

Authorization for Online Learning

Virginia is a member of the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA), and Germanna is a member through the state portal entity, the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV). SARA establishes national standards for the interstate offering of postsecondary distance education programs among member states. The agreement creates a system for institutions offering distance education to receive authorization from states other than their home state by placing the responsibility for regulation, quality assurance, and student protection on the institution’s home state. The National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) is the organization tasked with implementing SARA.

Student Complaint Process

The Germanna complaint process for all students is outlined in the Student Grievance Process.

Students enrolling in a program that prepares them for professional certification or licensure should familiarize themselves with state-specific requirements. Before registering, we recommend contacting the state board or regulating entity where the student intends to work for the most complete and current information. Criteria for obtaining licensure may vary from state to state.

SARA has no effect on state professional licensing requirements. Institutions participating in SARA must satisfy all federal requirements under US DOE Regulation 34 §C.F.R. 668.43 for disclosing information regarding professional licensure programs.

Disclosures apply to programs that are:

• designed to meet education requirements for a specific professional license or certification required for employment in an occupation or,
• advertised as meeting licensure or certification requirements

Germanna offers programs in many disciplines designed to meet the educational requirements for professional certification or licensure. The below tables identify these programs and provide resources for licensure.

The following programs at Germanna do not lead to licensure outside of the state of Virginia.