State authorization, a regulation of the Department of Education, mandates that institutions offering distance education programs must be authorized by each state in which the institution enrolls students (if such authorization is required by the state). Pacific School of Religion (PSR) is actively ensuring compliance with these regulations, including seeking and maintaining approval or exemption status for our distance education offerings in other states. While PSR aims to make our distance programs available nationwide, some states have enacted regulations that pose challenges to this goal.
California’s Relationship with SARA
The State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA) were established in 2013 to streamline regulations for distance education programs. However, California is not a member of SARA, which means that California-based institutions like PSR cannot participate in the reciprocity agreements and instead must comply with individual applicable state laws where they wish to enroll students.
PSR Compliant States
Below is the list of states from which PSR is authorized to enroll distance learners:
- Arizona
- California
- Florida
- Hawaii
- Nebraska
- Oklahoma
- Pennsylvania
- Texas
- Vermont
PSR is seeking authorization from the following states:
- Oregon
- Washington
- Maryland
PSR is actively researching and planning to seek authorization from the following states:
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arkansas
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Georgia
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Massachusetts
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Utah
- Wyoming
Non-Compliant States
States where PSR will not be seeking authorization for distance education due to state regulations:
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Michigan
- New York
- Puerto Rico
- Rhode Island
- Virginia
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
Students from these states can choose to study on the PSR campus in Berkeley, CA or relocate to a state where we are authorized to offer distance education.
Notice to Students Who Relocate
If, while enrolled in distance education with Pacific School of Religion, you relocate to a state in which we are not in compliance, you may lose eligibility to remain enrolled in your course of study. Please speak with the Registrar in the Office of Academic Affairs if you anticipate relocating while you are completing your degree. Prospective students who have not yet enrolled should consider this regulation prior to applying, especially if there is a possibility of relocating to a restricted state prior to program completion.