State Authorization Overview
State authorization is a legal and regulatory term that applies to a university's compliance with individual statutes, regulations and rules in each state in which it serves students. Mansfield University, as well as all other postsecondary institutions, is required to seek authorization to deliver or facilitate educational services, programs or activities from each state in which we operate or have a physical presence.
SARA
The National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA) is an agreement among member states, districts and territories that establishes comparable national standards for interstate offering of postsecondary distance education courses and programs. It is intended to make it easier for students to take online courses offered by postsecondary institutions based in another state. SARA is overseen by a National Council and administered by four regional education compacts. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania joined SARA effective January 1, 2017, and Mansfield University is now a SARA-participating institution. Participation in SARA allows the University to operate in all other SARA states. However, please note that SARA does not cover professional licensure issues (see below). For more information visit the SARA website.
Professional Licensures/Certifications
Although some of Mansfield University's programs are designed to prepare students to meet Pennsylvania's licensure/certification requirements, this does not assure their compatibility with out-of-state requirements. Applicants who are applying to Mansfield's programs with the intent to pursue licensure or certification in states other than Pennsylvania must be aware of the professional licensure requirements in those states. Current students who are planning to undertake field experiences outside of Pennsylvania should also be aware the requirements of other states. For more information, visit Mansfield University's Licensure and Certification Information page. Also check out licensure requirements by occupation and state from CareerOneStop.
The table shows the states where Mansfield University may accept students from to enroll in our online degree programs. The table also lists states where students may undertake field experiences. Field experience is a broad term that includes out-of-class experiences like internships, student-teaching, practicums, and clinical rotations/precepted experiences for nursing and other healthcare students. The field experience information shown in the table applies to all Mansfield University students, both those enrolled in face-to-face programs, as well as those in online degree programs. The information also applies to program-mandated field experiences, as well as for-credit field experiences students voluntarily pursue that are not required in order to graduate. Questions and concerns about distance education and field experiences should be directed to Dr. John Cosgrove (Dr. Cosgrove's contact information is at the bottom of this webpage).
Approved States for Enrollment in Online Degree Programs and to Seek Field Experiences
This includes internships, student-teaching, clinical experiences, practicums.
| State |
Participates in SARA |
Notes |
| Alabama | Yes | Nursing: State approval of a program to offer Alabama licensed nurses opportunities for advanced degrees does not indicate eligibility for approval to practice as an advanced practice nurse in Alabama. Applicants for approval in Alabama are required to meet the Alabama requirements for national certification, graduation from a specific-type program for the advanced practice approval, and completion of the appropriate application. Any program offering a pre-licensure track to Alabama students shall meet the requirements of the Alabama regulations for pre-licensure programs or the graduates may not be eligible to take the national licensure examination required by the Alabama Board of Nursing to enter the practice. |
| Alaska | Yes | |
| Arizona | Yes | |
| Arkansas | Yes | |
| California | No, but see notes | Public institutions are not regulated by The Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education, so Mansfield is permitted to offer online programs and field experiences in California. |
| Colorado | Yes | Students undertaking field experiences must have workers compensation and liability coverage |
| Connecticut | Yes | |
| Delaware | Yes | |
| District of Columbia | Yes | |
| Florida | Yes | Mansfield does not meet the definition of physical presence, so providing online instruction and having students pursue field experiences is permitted in Florida. |
| Georgia | Yes- but see notes | Field experience are allowed as long as no Georgia residents are paid to supervise these experiences. |
| Hawaii | Yes | |
| Idaho | Yes | |
| Illinois | Yes | |
| Indiana | Yes | No more than 10 students at the same site at the same time for field experiences |
| Iowa | See notes | Programs that lead to professional licensure (i.e., education programs) are not authorized in Iowa. |
| Kansas | Yes | |
| Kentucky | Some Restrictions--See Notes | No education programs leading to certification are permitted. For more information on education programs, please see the Kentucky Education Professional Standards Board website . |
| Louisiana | Yes | |
| Maine | Yes | Field experiences must be organized by student and not MU. Also, no compensation can be paid to Maine residents to oversee field experiences. |
| Maryland | Yes | No more than five students are allowed at the same field experience site at the same time. |
| Massachusetts | Yes | Mansfield does not meet the definition of physical presence, so providing online instruction and having students pursue field experiences is permitted in Massachusetts. |
| Michigan | Yes | |
| Minnesota | Yes | |
| Mississippi | Yes | Mississippi residents in online degree programs should be made aware of any Mississippi licensure and certification requirements. |
| Missouri | Yes | |
| Montana | Yes | |
| Nebraska | Yes | |
| Nevada | Yes- but see notes | Nevada residents are not permitted to take education programs that lead to licensure. |
| New Hampshire | Yes | |
| New Jersey | Yes | |
| New Mexico | Yes | |
| New York | Yes- but see notes | Please contact John Cosgrove regarding internships for psychology majors in New York State. |
| North Carolina | Yes | |
| North Dakota | Yes | |
| Ohio | NO | Ohio residents in education programs the student can apply for the Ohio license, as long as they meet the teaching requirements and passes any required Ohio tests. Visit Ohio's Out-of-State Licensure webpage for more information. |
| Oklahoma | Yes- but see notes | Field experiences must be organized by students and not MU. |
| Oregon | Yes | |
| Rhode Island | Yes- but see notes | Field experiences must be organized by students and not MU. |
| South Carolina | Yes | |
| South Dakota | Yes- but see notes | No more than ten students at any field experience site at one time. |
| Tennessee | Yes- but see notes | Field experiences must be organized by students and not MU. |
| Texas | Yes | |
| Utah | Some Restrictions--See Notes | Mansfield is not authorized to provide nursing programs to Utah residents. |
| Vermont | Yes- but see notes | No compensation for in-state supervision of field experiences |
| Virginia | Yes | |
| Washington | Yes | |
| West Virginia | Yes | |
| Wisconsin | Yes | |
| Wyoming | Yes | |
| U.S. Territories | ||
| American Samoa | No, but see notes | Online programs and field experiences permitted even though not a SARA member |
| Guam | No, but see notes | Online programs and field experiences permitted even though not a SARA member |
| Northern Mariana Islands | No, but see notes | Online programs and field experiences permitted even though not a SARA member |
| Puerto Rico | Yes | |
| U.S. Virgin Islands | Yes |
Student Complaint Process
Federal legislation (specifically, the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008) requires colleges and universities to provide students with information necessary to make informed decisions concerning their educational experiences. One important item relates to student complaints. Mansfield University strives to serve its students fairly and equitably. If, however, a student has a complaint, we have a process in place to assist the student in resolving the complaint. Mansfield University encourages all students regardless of their residency, to first try to resolve the issue by following Mansfield University's Academic Standards, Due Process/Complaints (pdf) . Students located outside Pennsylvania may also choose to file a complaint with the appropriate agency in your state of residence (pdf).
Questions or Concerns?
Questions and concerns about state authorizations and the information presented on this site should be directed to:
Dr. John Cosgrove
Director of Institutional Research
511 North Hall Mansfield, PA 16933
(570) 662-4586
jcosgrov@mansfield.edu