ECU removes hurdles for distance education students outside NC
East Carolina University, a leader in distance education, has made it easier for out-of-state students to take on-line classes at ECU.
In November, ECU was approved to participate in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (NC-SARA) which removes many of the barriers associated with enrolling in distance education classes across state lines. Institutions that are members of SARA can provide online education to students from all 44 SARA member states.
“NC-SARA opens the doors of enrollment for students throughout the United States while ensuring they are being provided clear and consistent means of raising issues,” said Charlene Lee, ECU’s state authorization compliance specialist.
According to Lee, students living in SARA states can immediately access all of ECU’s online programs and complete face-to-face and online experiential learning activities which include clinicals, internships and practicums.
“This is an essential authorization in providing ECU’s educational services nationally. When coupled with appropriate marketing we will be in an excellent position to expand offerings and once discovered, I believe our programs will become very popular from Maine to California,” said ECU Provost Dr. Ron Mitchelson.
ECU had to meet up to 50 different state licensure requirements and comply with the professional licensure agencies in each state before joining NC-SARA.
“As a result of our approval to become a NC-SARA institutional participant, students can enroll in our online programs with confidence knowing that we are ensuring access to quality educational offerings regardless of their location.” Said Dr. Elmer Poe, with ECU’s State Authorization Compliance office.
Poe added that NC-SARA provides nationally recognized guidelines to help ECU evaluate its distance education offerings and ensure that best practices are being followed.
NC-SARA is a voluntary, regional approach to oversight of postsecondary distance education. States and institutions that choose to become members operate under NC-SARA policies and standards that are overseen by the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements and administered by four regional higher education compacts. ECU is a member of the Southern Regional Education board compact.
According to Marshall Hill, executive director of NC-SARA, the initiative is increasing administrative efficiency and lowering the costs of obtaining authorization to provide distance education in states that join.
Hill noted that SARA institutions must annually commit to several steps designed to ensure that courses and programs provide high-quality learning opportunities that can help students reach their goals.
For more information, visit http://nc-sara.org/sara-states-institutions.
–Jamie Smith