DBU Online Academic Compliance
State Authorization and Reciprocity Agreement
Dallas Baptist University (“DBU”) may offer online programs to students located outside of Texas. The State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (“SARA”) is an agreement among member states, districts, and territories in the United States, which establishes comparable national standards for interstate offering of postsecondary distance education courses and programs. As a result, SARA simplifies the process of taking online courses for credit offered across state lines by institutions that already have degree authorization in at least one state.
SARA is overseen by a national council (NC-SARA) and administered by four regional education compacts. DBU is approved to participate in NC-SARA and has been accepted as a SARA institution since March 8, 2017.
SARA States and Territories
Participating SARA U.S. States and Territories are: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, U.S. Virgin Islands, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
California is not a participating NC-SARA state. However, Dallas Baptist University as a private, non-profit, accredited university is exempt from California state oversight. See California Code (ed. code § 94801.5(b)).
SARA does not replace state authorization or licensure requirements. For licensing board contact information, see the below non-exhaustive list. This list is not comprehensive and students interested in obtaining licensure in one of the SARA states should independently research state licensing requirements. It is highly recommended that students seek this information and additional guidance before beginning a program.
Licensing Agency
Alabama Commission on Higher Education
Professional Board Licensure
Alabama State Department of Education
Alabama State Board of Social Work Examiners
Board of Counselors
Licensing Agency
Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education
Professional Board Licensure
Alaska Department of Education and Early Development
Alaska Board of Social Work Examiners
Board of Counselors
Licensing Agency
Arizona State Board for Private Postsecondary Education
Professional Board Licensure
Arizona Department of Education
Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners
Board of Counselors
Student Complaint Information
Licensing Agency
Arkansas Department of Higher Education
Professional Board Licensure
Arkansas Department of Education
Arkansas Social Work Licensing Board
Arkansas State Board of Private Career Education
Board of Counselors
Student Complaint Information
Licensing Agency
Colorado Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education
Professional Board Licensure
Colorado Department of Higher Education
Division of Private Occupational Schools
Colorado State Board of Social Work Examiners
Board of Counselors
Student Complaint Information
Licensing Agency
Connecticut Office of Higher Education
Professional Board Licensure
Connecticut State Department of Education
Connecticut Department of Public Health (Social Work)
The Office of Financial and Academic Affairs For Higher Education
Board of Counselors
Student Complaint Information
Licensing Agency
Delaware Department of Education
- http://www.doe.k12.de.us/site/default.aspx?PageID=1
The Delaware Department of Education will investigate complaints. Such complaints must be in writing and verified by the signature of the person making the complaint. Oral, anonymous or unsigned complaints will not be investigated. Until the web site is functional, please write or call for more information. The Delaware Department of Education; Teacher and Administrator Quality; John W. Collette Resource Center; 35 Commerce Way; Dover, DE 19904. The Delaware Department of Education phone number is 302-857-3388.
Professional Board Licensure
Delaware Department of Education
Board of Counselors
Student Complaint Information
Licensing Agency
District of Columbia Higher Education Licensure Commission
Professional Board Licensure
District of Columbia Office of the State Superintendent of Education
District of Columbia Department of Health (Social Work)
Board of Counselors
Student Complaint Information
Licensing Agency
Florida Commission for Independent Education
Professional Board Licensure
Florida Department of Education
Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage & Family Therapy, and Mental Health Counseling
Student Complaint Information
Licensing Agency
Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission
Professional Board Licensure
Georgia Professional Standards Commission
Georgia Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers and Marriage & Family Therapists
Student Complaint Information
Licensing Agency
Hawaii Postsecondary Education Authorization Program
Professional Board Licensure
Hawaii Teacher Standards Board
Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (Social Work)
Board of Counselors
Student Complaint Information
Licensing Agency
Idaho State Board of Education
Professional Board Licensure
Idaho State Department of Education
Idaho Board of Social Work Examiners
Board of Counselors
Student Complaint Information
Licensing Agency
Illinois Board of Higher Education
Professional Board Licensure
Illinois State Board of Education
Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (Social Work)
Board of Counselors
Student Complaint Information
Licensing Agency
Indiana Commission for Higher Education
Professional Board Licensure
Indiana Department of Education
Indiana Behavioral Health and Human Services Licensing Board
Department of Workforce Development
Board of Counselors
Student Complaint Information
Licensing Agency
Iowa College Student Aid Commission
Professional Board Licensure
Iowa Board of Educational Examiners
Iowa Department of Public Health (Social Work)
Board of Counselors
Student Complaint Information
Licensing Agency
Kansas Board of Regents
Professional Board Licensure
Kansas State Department of Education
Kansas Behavioral Science Regulatory Board
Board of Counselors
Student Complaint Information
Licensing Agency
Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education
Professional Board Licensure
Kentucky Education Professional Standards Board
Kentucky Board of Social Work
Board of Counselors
Student Complaint Information
Licensing Agency
Board of Regents, State of Louisiana
Professional Board Licensure
Louisiana Department of Education
Louisiana State Board of Social Work Examiners
Board of Counselors
Student Complaint Information
Licensing Agency
Maine Department of Higher Education
Professional Board Licensure
Maine Department of Education
Maine State Board of Social Worker Licensure
Board of Counselors
Student Complaint Information
- http://www.maine.gov/ag/consumer/complaints/complaint_form.shtml
Complaints shall be addressed in writing to the Maine Department of Education, Office of Higher Education, Augusta, Maine, 04333, with specific facts and allegations and signed by the complainant. The school shall be notified of any complaints which are to be investigated. For more information, please contact Mr. Ángel Loredo, the Higher Education Specialist - Angel.Loredo@maine.gov.
Licensing Agency
Maryland Higher Education Commission
Professional Board Licensure
Maryland State Department of Education
Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners
Board of Counselors
Student Complaint Information
Licensing Agency
Massachusetts Department of Higher Education
Professional Board Licensure
Massachusetts Executive Office of Education
Massachusetts Board of Registration of Social Workers
Massachusetts Division of Professional Licensure & Office Private Occupational School Education
Board of Counselors
Student Complaint Information
Licensing Agency
Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs
Professional Board Licensure
Michigan Department of Education
Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (Social Work)
Board of Counselors
Student Complaint Information
Licensing Agency
Minnesota Office of Higher Education
Professional Board Licensure
Minnesota Department of Education
Minnesota Board of Social Work
Board of Counselors
Student Complaint Information
Licensing Agency
Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning
Professional Board Licensure
Mississippi Department of Education
Mississippi State Board of Examiners (Social Work)
Mississippi Commission on College Accreditation
Commission on Proprietary School and College Registration
Board of Counselors
Student Complaint Information
Licensing Agency
Missouri Department of Higher Education
Professional Board Licensure
Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
Missouri Division of Professional Registration (Social Work)
Board of Counselors
Student Complaint Information
Licensing Agency
Montana University System
Professional Board Licensure
Montana Office of Public Instruction
Montana Board of Behavioral Health
Montana University System Board of Regents
Board of Counselors
Student Complaint Information
Licensing Agency
Nebraska's Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education
Professional Board Licensure
Nebraska Department of Education, Private Postsecondary Career Schools
Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (Mental Health & Social Work Practice)
Nebraska Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education
Board of Counselors
Student Complaint Information
Licensing Agency
Nevada System of Higher Education
Professional Board Licensure
Nevada Department of Education
Nevada Board of Examiners for Social Workers
Nevada Commission on Postsecondary Education
- New Website Coming Soon! Per Kelly Wuest in Nevada (kdwuest@nvdetr.org) the new site will be up soon: www.cpe.nv.gov
Only SARA portal information available at this time.
Board of Counselors
Student Complaint Information
Licensing Agency
New Hampshire Department of Education
Professional Board Licensure
New Hampshire Department of Education
New Hampshire Board of Mental Health Practice
Department of Education, Division of Higher Education, Higher Education Commission
Board of Counselors
Student Complaint Information
Licensing Agency
New Jersey Office of the Secretary of Higher Education
Professional Board Licensure
New Jersey Department of Education
New Jersey State Board of Social Work Examiners
New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development,
Center for Occupational Employment Information
Office of the Secretary of Higher Education
Board of Counselors
Student Complaint Information
Licensing Agency
New Mexico Higher Education Department
Professional Board Licensure
New Mexico Public Education Department
- http://www.ped.state.nm.us/licensure/(link is external)
- Teacher License Advancement
- Education Assistant Criteria
New Mexico Board of Social Work Examiners
Board of Counselors
Licensing Agency
New York State Education Department
Professional Board Licensure
New York State Education Department
New York Office of the Professions (Social Work)
Bureau of proprietary School Supervision, New York State Education Department
Board of Counselors
Student Complaint Information
Licensing Agency
University of North Carolina Board of Governors
Professional Board Licensure
North Carolina Department of Public Instruction
North Carolina Social Work Certification and Licensure Board
North Carolina Community College System
(Office of Proprietary School Services)
Board of Counselors
Student Complaint Information
Licensing Agency
North Dakota University System
Professional Board Licensure
North Dakota Education Standards and Practices Board
North Dakota Board of Social Work Examiners
North Dakota State Board for Career and Technical Education
Board of Counselors
Student Complaint Information
Licensing Agency
Ohio Department of Higher Education
Professional Board Licensure
Ohio Department of Education
Ohio Counselor, Social Worker and Marriage & Family Therapist Board
Ohio State Board of Career Colleges and Schools
Student Complaint Information
Licensing Agency
Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education
Professional Board Licensure
Oklahoma State Department of Education
Oklahoma State Board of Licensed Social Workers
Oklahoma Board of Career and Technology Education
Oklahoma Board of Private Schools
-
A Form is available by request to the OBPVS Staff, but is not required. Unless a safety or other issue requiring an in-person investigation is alleged, a "Student," complaint will be accepted and sent to the institution for a response that may then be forwarded to the complainant for further input. Nora Ann House, Director, 3700 N. Classen Blvd., Ste. 250, Oklahoma City, OK 73118, phone 405/528-3370, FAX 405/528-3366, nhouse@obpvs.ok.gov
Board of Counselors
Student Complaint Information
Licensing Agency
Oregon Office of Degree Authorization
Professional Board Licensure
Oregon Teacher Standards and Practices Commission
Oregon Board of Licensed Social Workers
Board of Counselors
Licensing Agency
Pennsylvania Department of Education
Professional Board Licensure
Pennsylvania Department of Education
- http://www.education.pa.gov/Educators/Certification/Pages/default.aspx
- http://www.pakeys.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Career-Lattice-and-Roles_9.2014.pdf
Pennsylvania State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors
Student Complaint Information
Licensing Agency
Puerto Rico Council on Education
-
None Listed - In English: http://www.ce.pr.gov/
Professional Board Licensure
Puerto Rico Board of Education
Puerto Rico Board of Professional Social Workers
Board of Counselors
Licensing Agency
Rhode Island Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner
Professional Board Licensure
Rhode Island Department of Education
Rhode Island Board of Social Work Examiners
Rhode Island Board of Governors for Higher Education
Board of Counselors
Student Complaint Information
Licensing Agency
South Carolina Commission on Higher Education
Professional Board Licensure
South Carolina State Department of Education
South Carolina Board of Social Work Examiners
Board of Counselors
Student Complaint Information
Licensing Agency
South Dakota Secretary of State
(South Dakota Attorney General)
Professional Board Licensure
South Dakota Department of Education
South Dakota Board of Social Work Examiners
Board of Counselors
Student Complaint Information
Licensing Agency
Tennessee Higher Education Commission
Professional Board Licensure
Tennessee Department of Education
Tennessee Board of Social Workers
Board of Counselors
Student Complaint Information
Licensing Agency
Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
The Texas Workforce Commission
Professional Board Licensure
Texas Education Agency
Texas State Board of Social Work Examiners
Board of Counselors
Student Complaint Information
Licensing Agency
Utah Division of Consumer Protection
Professional Board Licensure
Utah State Board of Education
Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing (Social Work)
Board of Counselors
Student Complaint Information
Licensing Agency
Vermont Agency of Education
Professional Board Licensure
Vermont Administrative Rules
Vermont Agency of Education
Vermont Board of Social Workers
Board of Counselors
Student Complaint Information
Licensing Agency
University of the Virgin Islands
Professional Board Licensure
Virgin Islands Department of Education
Virgin Islands Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs
Virgin islands Board of Social Workers
Student Complaint Information
Licensing Agency
Virginia State Council of Higher Education
Professional Board Licensure
Virginia Department of Education
Virginia Board of Social Work
Board of Counselors
Student Complaint Information
Licensing Agency
Washington Student Achievement Council
Professional Board Licensure
Washington Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction
Washington State Department of Health (Social Work)
Washington Workforce training and Educ. Coord. Board
Board of Counselors
Student Complaint Information
Licensing Agency
West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission
Professional Board Licensure
West Virginia Board of Social Work
Board of Counselors
Student Complaint Information
Licensing Agency
Wisconsin Educational Approval Board
Professional Board Licensure
Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction
Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (Social Work)
Board of Counselors
Student Complaint Information
Licensing Agency
Wyoming Department of Education
Professional Board Licensure
Wyoming Professional Teaching Standards Board
Wyoming Mental Health Professions Licensing Board
Board of Counselors
Student Complaint Information
Non-SARA States and Territories
Licensing Agency
California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education
- http://www.bppe.ca.gov/
- http://www.bppe.ca.gov/enforcement/complaint.shtml
*note currently only for institutions regulated by BPPE - https://oag.ca.gov/contact/consumer-complaint-against-business-or-company
*note that the CA AG Office may take complaints, but does not meet federal requirements for
the new July 1, 2018 regulations - if they take effect.
Professional Board Licensure
California Commission on Teacher Credentialing
California Board of Behavioral Sciences
Board of Counselors
Student Complaint Information