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Online Learning

State Authorization of Online Programs

NC_SARA_SealThe Higher Education Act requires colleges and university to obtain authorization to offer educational activities in states where they are not physically located. NC‐SARA was created as an agreement among members to establish national standards for online courses and programs that are offered outside of the institution’s home state. It is intended to make it easier for students to take online classes outside of the home state of their college or university.

The state of Indiana, along with Purdue University Fort Wayne, are members of the National Council for State Authorization for Reciprocity Agreements (SARA).

  • The Higher Learning Commission approves and regulates Purdue Fort Wayne’s programs in Indiana, where Purdue Fort Wayne is physically located and in which it has legal authorization to operate.

Online Course Survey

Each semester, Purdue Fort Wayne is required to confirm where our students are residing while taking their online course(s).

Please complete our brief Online Course Survey for the fall 2023 semester.

Complaint Resolution

Information about filing a complaint can be found at the Complaint Resolution website.

Questions

If you have questions about whether Purdue Fort Wayne is authorized to conduct educational activities in your state, please email online@pfw.edu.

Professional Licensure

If your program leads to a professional license or certification, authorization may be required from a state professional licensing board prior to beginning a clinical or field experience in that state. Check with your program's internship or clinical coordinator with questions about state professional licensing board requirements prior to beginning an internship or field experience in another state.

Purdue University Fort Wayne’s academic programs are designed to prepare students to apply for applicable licensure or certification in Indiana and are fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and Indiana Commission for Higher Education.

Purdue Fort Wayne has not made a full and final determination whether each of its on-campus programs meet all current education requirements for a license or certification in another state. For example, particular state requirements may change from time to time with little notice to Purdue.

Also, state licensure boards may require applicants to complete professional examinations, background checks, years of professional experience and other similar additional steps to preparatory education. If you are planning to pursue professional licensure or certification in a state other than Indiana, please contact the program director/advisor to discuss if you will need to satisfy additional requirements to practice in that state. You can also contact the appropriate licensing entity in that state to seek information and guidance regarding licensure or certification requirements before beginning an academic program.

Disclosures