State Authorization
State Authorization Regulations for Online Education
Fayetteville State University has been approved to participate in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA).
This means that Fayetteville State University is authorized to provide educational opportunities in all 50 states and U.S. territories.
State regulations require that public universities seeking to enroll students residing outside North Carolina in distance or online programming must be approved to deliver such programming in accordance with the receiving state's requirements. The purpose of these regulations is to ensure quality post-secondary education, ensure the integrity of academic degrees, and to provide greater consumer protection for its student citizens.
Please note: California is not part of SARA, but FSU is authorized to operate there due to existing exemptions for public insitutions.
Professional Licensure
The U.S. Department of Education regulations regarding distance education and professional licensure require that FSU make the following professional licensure disclosures.
Participation in NC-SARA does not provide reciprocity for state professional licensing requirements. FSU academic programs that lead to professional licensure or certification prepare students to sit for and achieve licensure or certification in North Carolina. Other states may have different educational requirements that academic programs and individual graduates must meet to be eligible for a license.
FSU makes every effort to ensure information about educational requirements for licensure is current; however, licensure regulations are frequently revised. Separate from educational requirements, state licensure boards may require applicants to complete professional examinations, background checks, years of professional experience, jurisprudence exams, etc.
If you are participating in online education and plan to return or move to a state, territory or country outside North Carolina, we strongly encourage you to research the licensing board requirements for that location.
If you are a prospective student considering enrolling in an academic program that leads to a professional license or certification, please be aware that FSU may not currently be able to confirm whether a program meets State educational requirements outside North Carolina. Please contact the academic program of interest for guidance prior to enrolling.
To learn more about professional licensure and/or certification related to FSU academic programs, please review the information and resources below.
Relocation Policy
If you relocate while enrolled at Fayetteville State University you may become ineligible for financial aid funding or be prohibited from completing coursework if FSU does not meet the State educational requirements for licensure or certification in the new location. Prospective students are advised to contact an admissions counselor and current students their program coordinator to discuss the impact of relocation on eligibility.
International Students
International students considering an academic program that leads to a professional license should contact the relevant professional licensing board in the country where they plan to work to confirm whether an online degree awarded by Fayetteville State University will be recognized when seeking licensure or certification. International students are strongly encouraged to be aware of regulations related to online education programs in their country of residence including:
- Whether the academic program meets licensure or certification requirements in the country;
- Whether the country will recognize an online degree from FSU; and
- If any additional taxes, withholding, or fees associated with online distance education programs will be assessed.
Professional Licensure Links
U.S. Department of Education Professional Licensure: information about most licensed professions by states.
NC-SARA Professional Licensure: contact information for all state licensing boards.
FSU Academic Programs that Lead to Professional Licensure and/or Certification
Accounting
Dr. Jennifer Bushelle-Edghill
Interim Chair, Department of Accounting, Finance, Health Administration, and Information Systems
Fayetteville State University
1200 Murchison Road
Fayetteville, NC 28301
E: jbushell@uncfsu.edu
T: (910) 672-1508
National Association of State Boards of Accountancy
View this updated spreadsheet to see the licensure disclosure of the Accounting program curriculum in the state you intend to work. The program curriculum will include one of the following disclosures:
- meets state educational requirements for licensure or certification,
- does not meet state educational requirements for licensure or certification, or
- a determination has not yet been made.
Education/Teaching
| Dr. Jenny Washington Director of Teacher Education Fayetteville State University College of Education 1200 Murchison Road Fayetteville, NC 28301 jwashington@uncfsu.edu (910) 672-1587 |
Dr. Christy L. Thomas, NBCT |
Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation
National Association for the Education of Young Children
View this updated spreadsheet to see the licensure disclosures of the Education/Teaching program curriculum in the state you intend to work. The program curriculum will include one of the following disclosures:
- meets state educational requirements for licensure or certification,
- does not meet state educational requirements for licensure or certification, or
- a determination has not yet been made.
Please note: College of Education Candidates who are interested in obtaining a teaching license must complete a North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) approved education program. Candidates who graduate and seek out-of-state employment must meet the receiving state’s requirements for licensure. There is no automatic licensure reciprocity between states. FSU will verify the completion of an approved, accredited program for candidates who seek employment out of state, and those candidates will be responsible for completing any additional requirements needed to obtain the license for employment in the receiving state.
Nursing
| Dr. Afua Arhin Dean of the College of Health, Science, and Technology, Professor Fayetteville State University 1200 Murchison Road Fayetteville, NC 28301 aarhin@uncfsu.edu (910) 672-1106 |
Dr. Sheila Cannon Associate Dean, Associate Professor School of Nursing College of Health, Science and Technology Fayetteville State University 1200 Murchison Road Fayetteville, NC 28301 scannon3@uncfsu.edu (910) 672-1105 |
National Council of State Boards of Nursing
View this updated spreadsheet to see the licensure disclosure of the Nursing program curriculum in the state you intend to work. The program curriculum will include one of the following disclosures:
- meets state educational requirements for licensure or certification,
- does not meet state educational requirements for licensure or certification, or
- a determination has not yet been made.
Please Note: School of Nursing candidates who are interested in taking the NCLEX national licensure examination and practicing in North Carolina must complete a North Carolina Board of Nursing-approved education program. Candidates who graduate and seek to take the NCLEX licensure examination out of state must meet the receiving state’s requirements for licensure. North Carolina is part of the Nurse Licensure Compact. This allows a nurse to have one multistate license with the ability to practice in the home state and other compact licensure states. All students are directed to the Board of Nursing for the state in which they plan to practice for full licensure requirements. The School of Nursing will verify the completion of an approved, accredited program for candidates who seek licensure in the State of North Carolina and outside of the state. Graduates who seek employment outside of the state are responsible for completing additional requirements needed to obtain licensure for employment in the receiving state.
Social Work
| Dr. Beverly Edwards MSW Program Director and Associate Professor School of Social Work College of Humanities and Social Sciences 1200 Murchison Road Fayetteville, NC 28301 bedwar11@uncfsu.edu 910-672-2432 |
Dr. Quienton Nichols Associate Dean/Associate Professor School of Social Work College of Humanities and Social Sciences 1200 Murchison Road Fayetteville, NC 28301 qnichols@uncfsu.edu (910) 672-2144 |
Association of Social Work Boards
The Professional Licensure Directory (Contact Information) for Social Work by State
View this updated spreadsheet to see the licensure disclosure of the Social Work program curriculum in the state you intend to work. The program curriculum will include one of the following disclosures:
- meets state educational requirements for licensure or certification,
- does not meet state educational requirements for licensure or certification, or
- a determination has not yet been made.
Please note: Master of Social Work Candidates who are interested in obtaining a license must complete a North Carolina Social Work Certification and Licensure Board (NCSWCLB) approved education program in the state of North Carolina. Candidates who graduate and seek out-of-state employment must meet the receiving state’s requirements for licensure. There is no automatic licensure reciprocity between states. FSU will verify the completion of an approved, accredited program for candidates who seek employment out of state, and those candidates will be responsible for completing any additional requirements needed to obtain the license for employment in the receiving state.
Student Complaint
This section provides information on the processes for out of state and prospective students to file complaints or grievances at the various levels starting with FSU's established procedures and processes.
FSU (Institution) Level
Student Complaint Form (For Current FSU Students-Requires Log-In)
Student Complaint Form (For Prospective and/or Former FSU Students)
Fayetteville State University-Academic Affairs
c/o Mr. Jerone Gray
1200 Murchison Road
Fayetteville, NC 28301
T: 910-672-1460
E: jgray9@uncfsu.edu
Web: Division of Academic Affairs
UNC System Level
If a complaint or grievance cannot be resolved at the institution's level, students may file with the North Carolina Post-Secondary Education Complaints Unit.
North Carolina Post-Secondary Education Complaints
c/o Student Complaints University of North Carolina Systems Office
223 S. West Street, Suite 1800
Raleigh NC 27603
T: 919-962-4550
Web: https://www.northcarolina.edu/post-secondary-education-complaints/
Institutional Accreditor Level (SACS-COC)
If the complaint is not satisfactorily resolved at the FSU, or UNC System levels, students may file with Fayetteville State University's accrediting agency: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commision on Colleges (SACS-COC) using the process below:
SACSCOC Complaint Procedure and Form
1866 Southern Lane
Decatur, GA 30033
T: 404-679-4500
Web: http://www.sacscoc.org
State Level: SARA-NC Complaint Processes
Students may also file complaints through SARA-NC, which is a portal for North Carolina. The complaint process and form is listed below:
SARA-NC Complaint Process
SARA-NC Complaint Form
North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority
P.O. Box 41349
Raleigh, NC 27629
T: 855-SARA-1-NC (727-2162)
T: 919-549-8614, ext. 4667
Email: information@saranc.org
Web: www.saranc.org
Outside North Carolina
Students residing outside North Carolina may file complaints with the state education agency where they reside. Links to various resources by state are located below:
Student Complaint Information by State and Agency
NC-SARA State Portal Entity Contacts