Distance (Online) Education-
Federal and state laws have established requirements that regulate distance (online) education programs offered by postsecondary institutions like ²ÝÁñÉçÇø. These laws protect student-consumers related to a variety of issues that may occur during the course of their distance education. Grace makes every effort to comply with these laws related to its delivery of distance education.
As part of this compliance effort, ²ÝÁñÉçÇø was approved by the State of Indiana to participate in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (. NC-SARA is a private nonprofit organization [501(c)(3)] that helps expand students’ access to educational opportunities and ensure more efficient, consistent, and effective regulation of distance education programs. Membership is open to degree-granting postsecondary institutions from all sectors that are accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education. ²ÝÁñÉçÇø is accredited by theÌý
In partnership withÌý, NC-SARA helps states, institutions, policymakers, and students understand the purpose and benefits of participating in SARA. Today, more than 2,400 institutions in 49 member states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands all voluntarily participate in SARA.
NC-SARA works in close partnership with four regional education compacts to enact the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA). The four regional compacts – the Midwestern Higher Education Compact (MHEC), the New England Board of Higher Education (NEBHE), the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) and the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE) – have helped states, and the public and private institutions within the states, work cooperatively to expand distance education access and excellence within their regions.Ìý
Students are advised to speak with the School of Professional & Online Education if they are moving and have questions about the authorization of a new state prior to completing their distance education program.
Contact the School of Professional and Online Education
Phone:Ìý(888) 249-0533
Email:Ìýonline@grace.edu
Students interested in the online Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program should determine prior to enrolling in this program the educational and other licensing requirements in the state in which they plan to seek a license. ClickÌýÌýto obtain the contact information for mental health counseling state licensing boards or contact one ofÌýGrace’s CMHCÌýprograms for assistance.
The following are important announcements or restrictions related to authorization of ²ÝÁñÉçÇø’s online programs:
- Alaska – ²ÝÁñÉçÇø is exempt from authorization to operate a postsecondary educational institution by the Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education ().
- Georgia – Students who are residents of Georgia are permitted to follow the complaint process posted on the NPEC web site ().
- Kentucky – Residents may pursue the online master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling if they plan to complete their practicum and internship in a non-restricted state such as Indiana.
- Texas – ²ÝÁñÉçÇø is not required by theÌý to be regulated in Texas under Chapter 132 of the Texas Education Code. The State of Indiana has authorized ²ÝÁñÉçÇø by name to operate educational programs beyond secondary education.
Distance education students residing in other states may contact the concerning complaints after having completed the institution’s student complaint process.
For more information about the institution’s online programs, contact theÌýSchool of Professional & Online Education.
Higher Education Authorization-
- Indiana – The State of Indiana has authorized ²ÝÁñÉçÇø by name to operate educational programs beyond secondary education.
- Ohio – ²ÝÁñÉçÇø programs offered on-site in OhioÌýare approved by theÌý
