Distance Education At SAU Tech

Southern Arkansas University Tech (SAU Tech) is committed to delivering online education to students across the United States. To comply with federal and state laws, all colleges and universities must obtain authorization to offer distance or online education to students residing outside their home state.

This page outlines SAU Tech’s compliance with State Authorization regulations and what that means for prospective and current online students.

Distance Education: State Authorization

In the U.S., each state has the authority to regulate postsecondary institutions offering online courses to students who live in that state. This legal process is called state authorization.

So when SAU Tech offers online programs to students outside Arkansas, it must comply with those other states' rules — that’s what state authorization is about in distance education. It’s essentially the legal permission SAU Tech needs to educate out-of-state online students.

Why It Matters for Students

Before enrolling in an online course or program at SAU Tech, students living outside Arkansas should confirm that SAU Tech is authorized or exempt from authorization in their home state.

This impacts:

  • Eligibility for Federal Financial Aid
  • Transfer of academic credits
  • Credential recognition (licensure or certification programs)
  • Student complaint resolution options
A man wearing headphones is sitting in a chair using a laptop computer.

Important Information

  • National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements

    As of September 8, 2015, SAU Tech is a participating member of the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA).


    SARA is a voluntary, nationwide initiative that simplifies the process of offering interstate distance education by establishing consistent national standards. Participation in SARA allows SAU Tech to offer distance education to students in all member states without seeking individual state authorizations.

  • Federal Regulations

    Under federal law:


    “If an institution is offering post-secondary education through distance or correspondence education to students in a state in which it is not physically located, the institution must meet any state requirements for it to be legally offering distance education in that state.”


    Institutions must provide documentation to the U.S. Department of Education if requested.

Have Questions About Distance Education?

For more information about SAU Tech’s compliance with state authorization or SARA membership, contact:


Office of Academic Affairs
 academics@sautech.edu
870-574-4500