State Authorization Requirements

All U.S. States require post-secondary educational institutions to be legally authorized to provide post-secondary educational instruction in their states. Many of these state laws and regulations also apply to online, distance and correspondence educational instruction offered in that state. As such, the University of North Texas Health Science Center (UNTHSC) and its online/distance educations programs must be authorized in certain states prior to offering those courses or programs to students residing in those states. The purpose of this policy is to create a UNTHSC process to comply with any state authorization requirements applicable to UNTHSC online/distance education programs.

Resources For Online Students (PDF)

Federal and State Regulations on ‘State Authorization’ of Distance Education

The State Authorization Regulation Chapter 34, + 600.9(c) “If an institution is offering postsecondary education through distance or correspondence education to students in a State in which it is not physically located or in which it is otherwise subject to State jurisdiction as determined by the State, the institution must meet any State requirements for it to be legally offering distance or correspondence education in that State. An institution must be able to document to the Secretary the State’s approval upon request.”

Information on Federal and State Regulations on ‘State Authorization’ of Distance Education (PDF)

The University of North Texas Health Science Center continues to work to meet federal and state authorization requirements in states outside of Texas. We will continue to serve out-of-state students while working with state authorization agencies to meet institutional authorization requirements. The University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth participates in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements.

 

UNTHSC can offer online courses the majority of US States as listed on the SARA States & Institutions Page

Distance Learning Complaint Process for Out of State Students

UNTHSC desires to resolve student grievances, complaints and concerns in an expeditious, fair and amicable manner. Students residing outside of the State of Texas while attending UNTHSC and taking an online course who desire to resolve a grievance, should first through the institution’s standard procedure for resolution of student grievances. If a student is not satisfied with the outcome of the institutional process, the complaint may then be brought to the responsible state agency in the home state.

This page was last modified on February 28, 2024