UWF State Authorization Status
Federal and state regulations require higher education institutions to comply with existing state laws regarding distance learning. As these regulations evolve, UWF makes every effort to maintain compliance, so we can deliver as many of our fully online programs to students in as many states as possible.
State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement
The State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) is a national initiative to provide more access to online courses while maintaining compliance standards with state regulatory agencies. SARA allows institutions to provide online courses outside their own state borders by seeking and maintaining state approvals via a streamlined process. Please visit the NC-SARA website to learn more.
In October 2017, the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) approved the State of Florida to join SARA. On Dec. 14, 2017, the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) and the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) approved institutional participation for the University of West Florida. NC-SARA is a voluntary, regional approach to state oversight of postsecondary distance education.
Current authorized SARA members include all states except California, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.
Regulations associated with the federal student financial aid program include the following requirements. "The institution must make available for review to any enrolled or prospective student upon request a copy of the documents describing the institution's accreditation and its State, Federal, or tribal approval or licensing. The institution must also provide its students or prospective students with contact information for filing complaints with its accreditor and with its State approval or licensing entity and any other relevant State official or agency that would appropriately handle a student’s complaint." The following paragraphs and links fulfill these obligations.
UWF's Accreditation Status
For information about the University's institutional accreditation status, please visit the UWF Accreditation Status website.
Consumer and Student Complaints
UWF desires to resolve student grievances, complaints, and concerns in an expeditious, fair, and amicable manner. Complaints regarding any aspect of UWF operations should be filed internally to UWF authorities first and, if necessary, to external authorities. Contact information for filing complaints is provided below:
UWF Information and Contacts for Complaints
Any student with a complaint must first go through the university complaint process. Please begin by reviewing the UWF Student Handbook, paying particular attention to Section III. Student Grievance Process. In addition to the Student Handbook, please review the information on the UWF Student Complaints website.
If the student is not satisfied with the outcome of the institution’s complaint process, they may contact: Florida Board of Governors, State University System, 325 West Gaines Street, Suite 1614, Tallahassee, FL 32399-0400, 800.245.0466. Visit the Florida Board of Governors website for more details.
Distance Education Students
If you have completed the internal institutional grievance process and the applicable state grievance process, you may appeal non‐instructional complaints to the FL‐SARA PRDEC Council. For additional information on the complaint process, please visit the FL‐SARA Complaint Process page.
If a student located in a State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) state has a complaint about an institution operating under SARA, complaints must first go through the institution's procedure to resolve student grievances. If a student is not satisfied with the institutional process's outcome, the student may then bring the complaint to the SARA portal agency in the institution’s home state.
Professional Licensure and Certification Information
Select professions (e.g., teachers, social workers, physical therapists, etc.) require licensure or certification beyond a degree to hold a position in that field. Professional licensure regulations and requirements vary by profession and state. In compliance with the U.S. Department of Education Federal Guideline 34 CFR §600.9(c), programs leading to licensure and/or certification required for entry into the profession are listed below.
Distance Education Programs That Lead To Licensure
For more information on the programs below, click the links to visit specific program websites.
| Program | Meets Requirements (additional requirements may be needed to obtain licensure/certification) | Does Not Meet Requirements |
|---|---|---|
|
AK, AL, AR, AZ, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY |
CA, TN |
|
|
AK, AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, DC, DE, FL, GA, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, WA, WI, WV, WY |
CT, MN, NJ, NM, VA, VT |
|
|
AK, AL, AR, AZ, CA, DC, DE, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NH, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY |
CO, CT, IA, NE, NJ, NM |
|
|
Exceptional Student Education with Specialization in ABA, M.A. |
AK, AL, AR, AZ, CA, DC, DE, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NH, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY |
CO, CT, IA, NE, NJ, NM |
|
AK, AR, AZ, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY |
AL, CA, CO |
|
|
AK, AL, AR, AZ, CA, DC, DE, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NJ, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY |
CO, CT, IA, MN, NE, NH, NM |
|
|
AK, AL, AR, AZ, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, HI, IA, ID, IL, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MN, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NV, OH, OK, OR, RI, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY |
CA, IN, ME, MI, MO, NM, NY, PA, SC, |
Campus-Based Programs That Lead To Licensure
Below are campus-based academic programs that lead to licensure. These programs are designed to meet the educational requirements for licensure in Florida. If you have questions, please contact a program representative or academic advisor.
Undergraduate Programs
- Biology Teaching, B.A.
- Chemistry Teaching, B.A.
- Clinical Laboratory Sciences, B.S.
- Elementary Education, B.A.
- Earth and Environmental Science Teaching, B.S.
- Exercise Science, B.S.
- Mathematics Teaching, B.A.
- Music Education, BME
- Dr. D.W. McMillan BSN Nursing program
- Health and Physical Education, B.S.
- Physics Teaching, B.A.