Online Education Regulations: Need to Know
State Authorization Regulations
Who Needs to Know?
If you:
- Are currently enrolled or plan to enroll in online courses at the University of New Mexico (UNM), and...
- Will reside outside of New Mexico during your enrollment,
...then the following state authorization information applies to you.
What Is State Authorization?
Due to amendments to the Higher Education Act of 1965 and various states' consumer protection laws, institutions offering distance education must be authorized in each state where they operate. This includes:
- Online courses
- Experiential placements (e.g., internships, clinical rotations)
UNM and SARA Participation
To work towards authorization in each state, UNM joined the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA) in 2015. SARA is a voluntary agreement among states and institutions that:
- Allows UNM to offer online education in participating states and territories
- Reduces administrative costs and complexity
- Standardizes authorization criteria across member states
UNM continues to monitor and comply with state-specific changes and provides updates as needed.
International Enrollment from Outside the United States
UNM proudly offers global access to its online programs. However, international students should be aware of the following:
- Recognition of Degrees: Some countries may not formally recognize foreign online degrees, which could affect:
- Admission to further academic programs
- Employment with government or credential-sensitive employers
- Licensure: Students pursuing programs that lead to professional licensure should verify recognition with the appropriate licensing board in their country.
- Data Use and Taxation: International students are responsible for understanding how their data may be used in their country and the tax implications in addition to the price of tuition.
Visit the International Students page for more information.
Programs Leading to Professional Licensure
UNM is actively working to confirm licensure authorization for its professional programs in all U.S. states and territories. For current disclosures and guidance, visit the Professional Licensure page.
Need help? Contact saracompliance@unm.edu for assistance.
Accreditation
UNM has been continuously accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) since 1922. Accreditation assures the public that the institution has been found to meet national standards of quality. Accreditation helps us:
- Access financial aid, scholarships, and grants
- Gain recognition of transfer credits and credentials
- Retain eligibility for professional licensure in many fields
UNM is also recognized by the New Mexico Higher Education Department (NMHED) to offer undergraduate and graduate programs. Many programs hold specialized accreditations. Learn more on the UNM Accreditation website.
Academic Complaints
UNM takes student concerns seriously and provides clear procedures for resolution:
- Undergraduate students: Undergraduate Academic Grievances
- Graduate students: Graduate and Professional Student Academic Grievance
Additional support is available through the Dean of Students Office.
SARA Complaints
The State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) is an agreement among member states, districts, and territories that sets national standards for interstate offerings of postsecondary distance education courses and programs. If a distance education student located in a state that participates in SARA has a complaint about UNM, the student must first go through the standard procedure for the resolution of student grievances, detailed in the Academic Complaints section above. If the complaint persists after using UNM's complaint procedures, the complaint may be brought to the New Mexico SARA portal agency, the New Mexico Higher Education Department. The SARA portal agency in the state where the student is located will be notified that a complaint has been received and may assist as needed.
Examples of the types of student complaints that may be brought to a SARA portal agency include complaints regarding job placement data, tuition or fee information, accreditation, professional program licensure requirements, or course transfer information. Complaints regarding grades and student conduct are not covered under SARA.
If a student residing in a SARA member state has a complaint that remains unresolved after following UNM’s procedures, they may:
- File a complaint with the New Mexico SARA portal agency (NMHED)
- Visit Complaint Resolution by State and notify the SARA portal agency in their home state
