State Authorization

The National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) is a voluntary, regional approach to state oversight of postsecondary distance education. The initiative is administered by the country’s four regional higher education 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) and overseen by NC-SARA. States and institutions that choose to participate agree to operate under common standards and procedures, providing a more uniform and less costly regulatory environment for institutions, more focused oversight responsibilities for states and better resolution of student complaints.

The state of Virginia was approved as a SARA state on October 17, 2014. The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) serves as the portal agency for Virginia SARA.

On December 19, 2018, Atlantic University became an institutional participant in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) initiative. With this membership, Atlantic University programs are automatically available to students who reside in participating states. To date, 49 states and the District of Columbia participate in NC-SARA.