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State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement

Austin Peay State University (APSU) is a degree-granting institution that isaccredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), which is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. APSU has been approved to participate in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) which provides the nation with a process to expand the opportunities for educational achievement of people by aligning standards and practices across states and creating processes to effectively address quality in online and distance education programs while reducing costs to states, institutions and consumers.

SARA Participating Institution Seal

Since 2015, APSU has been a participant in SARA, in which the state of Tennessee is a member.  Participation in SARA allows APSU to offer distance education programs and courses in other SARA states without having to obtain approval from each state.

Information regarding the complaint process can be found at SARA and Students.

For a list of SARA member States, please visit the SARA website.

Disclosures

No State or accrediting agency have taken adverse actions against Austin Peay State University.

Professional Licensure

Important information for applicants, prospective students, and currently enrolled students: Pursuant to 34 CFR 668.43 (a) (5) (v). SARA does not include provisions for state professional licensing requirements. Applicants, prospective students, and current students should review the Austin Peay State University Licensure Program Eligibility website to learn about professional licensure and certificate programs and their ability to meet professional licensure requirements in all U.S. States and Territories.

Accreditation

State Contact Information

To ensure compliance with the U.S. Department of Education’s Integrity Rules, Austin Peay State University must provide out-of-state distance learning students and out-of-state prospective students with the contact information and complaint filing process for each state’s licensing board and any other agency that would be responsible for the complaint.

Distance learning students who reside out-of-state must follow the institution’s standard procedure for resolution of student grievances.  If a resolution is not met by following Austin Peay State University’s complaint process, students may file the complaint with the SARA portal agency in the institution’s home state.  The state where the student resides may also resolve the complaint. 

Although students may use their own state’s SARA office to resolve a complaint, the SARA office in the state where the institution is located is responsible for staffing and investigating and resolving the complaint.  Students who are classified as “in state” may not use SARA to complain about distance education courses offered inside the state, only those offered outside the state.