State Authorization and Professional Licensure

Read our Professional Licensure Disclosure

Distance Learning State Authorization

State regulations require legal authorization for post-secondary institutions to offer distance degrees, certificates, and courses, to students who live outside the institution's home state. This may also include online or campus-based courses that include activities such as internships, externships, co-ops, field experiences, student teaching, and clinical placements in states outside of the institution's home state.

FSU is an approved institutional member of the National Council of State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (NC-SARA).  FSU became a member in August 2016. Membership in SARA is intended to make it easier for students to take online courses/programs offered by postsecondary institutions based in another state.  For more information about SARA, including the states currently participating in the agreement, visit the NC-SARA web site.

SARA membership allows FSU to accept students from states outside of Maryland as long as they are SARA approved states.  Students who reside in states which are not currently SARA authorized (California) should contact the appropriate admissions office prior to application (Graduate Admissions: gradservices@hr888888.com or Undergraduate admission: FSUAdmissions@hr888888.com). 

Also note that students living outside of Maryland in SARA-approved states wishing to join programs which lead to professional licensure or certification should contact the appropriate admissions office prior to application to determine whether the FSU program of study and required online courses meet the requirements for licensure or certification in that state. FSU programs delivered at FSU or online which require state licensure/certification body approval may include:

• Education
• Engineering
• Nursing
• Physician Assistant
• Psychology
• Social Work

Once admitted, students wishing to enroll in online courses/programs or enroll in a degree program which leads to licensure or certification (those listed above) must also contact the university to discuss any change in location prior to relocation. Please be advised that continued enrollment cannot be guaranteed if a student moves to a state in which FSU is not authorized to offer education programs.

Frostburg State University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and approved by the Maryland Higher Education Commission.

Courses Within Campus-Based Programs With Out-of-State Student Activities

Students participating in FSU campus-based programs that require or offer internships, externship, co-ops, field experiences, student teaching, or clinical placements should obtain approval from the program's respective department chair and Dean's office prior to the experience if the placement will occur outside of the state of Maryland.

FSU Approved States for Online Programs

The chart below provides an overview of each state in which FSU is able to accept students for programs and courses provided by online delivery. Important Note: In some states, programs which require licensure or certification are not covered under the state reciprocity agreement and, as a result, students wishing to enroll in these programs should contact the university SARA representative and check with the appropriate licensing agency in your state to seek information and additional guidance before beginning the program.

SARA Representative:
Dr. Sharman Adams
Associate Provost for Student Success and Graduate Education
sladams@hr888888.com