State Authorization
About
EWU currently offers educational opportunities to students in multiple state jurisdictions through distance education. Due to the state authorization initiative, all universities offering education outside of their home state must be authorized by each state in which they offer education at a distance. EWU is monitoring developments in state laws in every state.
Eastern Washington University (EWU) participated in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA). This authorizes EWU to provide distance education activities to other member states and territories. As of January 1, 2021, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and all states with the exception of California are members of NC-SARA. Students who are located in the state of California can participate in EWU’s offerings.
Professional Licensure Information
Federal Department of Education regulations and State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) require institutions to understand and disclose whether their programs meet educational requirements for professional or occupational licensure in the state where the student resides while they are enrolled in the program. This means that students whose address during the school year is in a state outside of Washington can only enroll in a distance learning program leading to professional licensure if the program meets the requirements for certification/licensure in the state where the student is living. The only exception to this is if a student is willing to attest that they will seek licensure and employment in a state where the EWU program does lead to licensure or certification.
Below is a list of programs that are designed for professional licensure along with information needed to comply with the federal laws and NC-SARA policy.
Licensure is individual. Only licensure boards or agencies can determine whether a program has met requirements. These boards and agencies make that determination after someone graduates or completes the program and applies for a license. After all reasonable efforts, we have provided our best assessment of how our program matches up to educational requirements for the license. Eastern Washington University cannot guarantee the ability to earn any professional license, in any field, in any state or territory.
Additional requirements. Completing a program is typically only one part of the professional licensure requirements. Most states require that individuals meet additional requirements in order to qualify for licensure, including but not limited to additional coursework and training, supervised clinical experiences, and successful passage of state or national exams. Other licensure requirements typically include, but are not limited to, fees, background checks, years of work experience, references, fingerprinting requirements, etc.
Potential changes in requirements. Licensure information is reviewed and updates on an annual basis. Licensure requirements are subject to changes at any time. While a program may meet the educational requirements for licensure at the time you enroll, changes in requirements could impact the program’s ability to meet new educational requirements. Students should periodically check with the state licensure board or agency in the state(s) they intend to work in to confirm licensure requirements.
For general inquiries, please contact Gwen Cash-James at gcashjames@ewu.edu.
Student Complaints & Grievances
Students who have complaints relating to issues covered by the EWU Student Code of Conduct should follow EWU Student Complaints procedure.
Students in Washington State who have complaints against the university relating to fraud, false advertising, or other deceptive practices who feel that their complaint was not solved through the institutional complaint and appeals process can file a complaint with the Washington Student Achievement Council.
Students located outside of the State of Washington, who are not located in the State of California, who feel that their complaint was not solved through the institutional complaint and appeals process can also file a complaint with the Washington Student Achievement Council.
Students located in the State of California who feel their complaint was not solved through the institutional complaint and appeals process can file a complaint with the enforcement authority in the state.
Examples of issues that may arise in regard to alleged fraudulent activity or more general complaints should be directed to the aforementioned agencies include:
- Veracity of recruitment and marketing materials;
- Accuracy of job placement data;
- Accuracy of information about tuition, fees, and financial aid;
- Complete and accurate admission requirements for courses and programs;
- Accuracy of information about the institution’s accreditation and/or any programmatic/specialized accreditation held by the institution’s programs;
- Accuracy of information about whether course work meets any relevant professional licensing requirements or the requirements of specialized accrediting bodies;
- Accuracy of information about whether the institution’s course work will transfer to other institutions; and
- Operation of distance learning programs consistent with practices expected by institutional accreditors (and, if applicable, programmatic/specialized accreditors) and/or C-RAC Guidelines for distance education.
The Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC) has authority to investigate student complaints against specific schools. WSAC may not be able to investigate every student complaint. Visit https://www.wsac.wa.gov/student-complaints for information regarding the WSAC complaint process.
Students who have complaints relating to the University’s quality of education, or other issues appropriate for its accrediting body to consider, can file a complaint with the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
Visit EWU Institutional Accreditation to view documents describing the university’s accreditation and state approval.
If you have further questions, please contact Gwen Cash-James at gcashjames@ewu.edu or 509.359.6345