State Authorization
The University of Pittsburgh is an accredited university through the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, and has been approved by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to participate in State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA), which is overseen by the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA). SARA is a voluntary, regional approach to state oversight of postsecondary distance education and allows institutions to offer distance education to students in all SARA member states and territories.
While participation in SARA allows The University of Pittsburgh to offer professional licensure programs through distance education to students in all SARA member states, not all programs may meet the educational requirements for licensure in those states. See Professional Licensure Disclosures for more information regarding individual program disclosures.
The University of Pittsburgh participates in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements. (SARA)
Student Complaint Process for Students Enrolled in Distance Education Programs
Students enrolled in distance education programs should seek to resolve the issue through the process shared by their program or school.
Students residing in SARA member states and territories who are not satisfied with the outcome of the University's internal process for resolving complaints (except for complaints about grades or student conduct violations) can appeal the decision to the University's SARA portal entity (Pennsylvania Department of Education). For more information on NC-SARA’s policies, please visit the SARA Student Complaints site.
Students residing in non-SARA States should consult the list of state-by-state agencies, including non-SARA State agencies, for further instruction for filing a complaint in their respective State of residence.
Student Location for Distance Education
The University of Pittsburgh will determine student’s location who is enrolled in a distance education program (online and hybrid) as outlined:
- Prospective students will be considered to be located in the state listed in the address used in their application. In the student information system, this is the address associated with home address.
- Enrolled students will be considered to be located in the state associated with their local address as reported to the University and entered in the student information system.
Students who relocate during a program must notify the university of their change of address.
International Students and Global Compliance
Students from outside of the United States who are interested in enrolling in a distance education program should be aware of potential restrictions in their country of residence. It is each student’s responsibility to understand the circumstances and requirements of their country of residence including but not limited to determining if an online degree will be recognized in their country of residence and whether withholding taxes will apply.