State Authorization

States have regulations pertaining to online instruction for residents of their states, as well as other academic functions institutions may be conducting in their states. These regulations apply to online learning, distance education, correspondence courses, and other activities that are, but not limited to, internships, field studies, clinicals, advertising, recruitment, third party agreements, and faculty employment.

More information about State Authorization

If you are a student interested in enrolling a distance education course or program, or faculty engaged in academic functions that may require state authorization, please contact the State Authorization Coordinator below to inquire about compliance.

DISCLAIMER: Programs that Lead to Licensure

Attention Out-of-State Students: Those who are enrolled in any type of program that leads to licensure and are located in a state other than Kentucky need to contact their state's licensing board related to their program to ensure that their state will recognize a degree earned from Murray State University. The Professional Licensure Directory has contact information for state licensing boards.

The Murray State Professional Licensure Disclosure page provides state licensure information by degree program.

Reciprocity and Compliance

Murray State University is currently a member of NC-SARA, the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement. Murray State University became a member of NC-SARA in December 2016. SARA has established national standards for interstate offerings of online learning, distance education, and other academic functions such as internships and field studies for states within the membership.

From "About NC-SARA":

The State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) establishes a state-level reciprocity process that will support the nation in its efforts to increase the educational attainment of its people by making state authorization: more efficient, effective, and uniform in regard to necessary and reasonable standards of practice that could span states; more effective in dealing with quality and integrity issues that have arisen in some online/ distance education offerings; and less costly for states and institutions and, thereby, the students they serve. 

View the states currently in SARA

Student Complaints and Distance Learning

Distance Learning students should first attempt to resolve complaints by reviewing and using the policies in place in the Murray State University Student Life Policies, Rules and Procedures document. If the issue cannot be resolved internally, students can file a complaint with Kentucky's portal agency for SARA, the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education.