State Authorization & Distance Learning

Course and program availability vary by state. Admission into a program is granted at the time of initial acceptance into the program and is dependent on program availability in the state where the student is physically located at the time of admission.

If a student moves to a different state after admission to the program, continuation within the program will depend on the availability of the program within the new state where the student is physically present. It is the student’s responsibility to notify the institution of a change in physical presence.

Whether military personnel stationed outside the state of Michigan may enroll or continue in a MSU distance education program is based on where military personnel are stationed.

Title IV Higher Education Act Notice | Change of State Residence – A student who changes their state of residence while enrolled in a program may become ineligible for Title IV Higher Education Act funding if the change in residency results in a student participating in a program in a state in which MSU does not meet licensure or certification requirements in the that new state of residence.

• If the country will recognize an online degree;
• Whether the program meets licensure or certification requirements in the country; and
• If the country charges any additional taxes, withholdings or fees associated with online distance education programs.

About State Authorization

State authorization refers to federal, state, and professional licensing board regulations that affect online and on-ground education programs offered across state lines. Authorization requirements vary by state and program and may impact where a MSU online distance education program can be offered to a student who resides in or moves to a particular state.

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State-by-State Summary

• An out-of-state student learning experience placement is applicable to an internship, externship, clerkship, practicum, rotation, clinical, student teaching, independent study, study away, and the like, taken by a student who is physically present at a facility, site or location that occurs in a U.S. state, district, or territory outside the state of Michigan (excluding foreign countries). This applies to any course (traditional, online, hybrid, and any non-credit course required for graduation) taught in whole or in part outside the state of Michigan that includes an out-of-state student learning experience placement. 
• Examples of an out-of-state facility, site or location are and include educational institution, institute, teaching facility or academy; national or state park; research facility; research site; hospital, health care facility, sports training, or rehabilitation center; manufacturing or production facility; shipping or warehouse facility; business or corporation; government agency or facility; and the like. This is not intended to be a complete or all-inclusive list.
• Reporting applies to any student participation (all levels) in an out-of-state student learning experience placement outside the state of Michigan, regardless of section number, course number or the method of delivery (traditional, online, hybrid), the experience must be reported by the instructor using the RO Out-of-State Learning Experience Form within 10 days following the semester grading due date (see instructions).
• Group of 10 or More Students Participating Simultaneously in an Out-of-State Learning Experience Placement - Any course that is taught simultaneously in whole or in part to a group of 10 or more students who are physically present at the same out-of-state facility, site, or location, must have prior state, district, or territory approval if:
  • A Group of Ten (10) or More Students are enrolled in the same course, same section number and simultaneously receive group instruction, in whole or in part, at the same out-of-state facility, site or location at an out-of-state location; or
  • Any “Short Course” that takes place outside the state of Michigan and requires more than 20 contact hours. The 20-hour limit can be used only for a short course that runs, for example, four days and is completed. It applies only to short courses and cannot be used with a full-term course, to which separate provisions apply.

To apply for jurisdictional approval prior to conducting a course in a U.S. state, district, or territory outside the state of Michigan, please contact Sandy Townsend at least 60 days in advance so approval may be secured.

MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY STUDENT CONFLICT AND GRIEVANCE SYSTEMS
The University encourages students and prospective students initially to address complaints relating to MSU institutional policies and consumer protection issues with personnel in the office, department or college that caused the alleged grievance. Senior University administrators will be involved, as needed, to resolve the complaints. To learn more about the conflict and grievance systems at MSU, visit this Office of the University Ombudsperson webpage.

STATE OF MICHIGAN
The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity Postsecondary Schools is the agency designated to review complaints against institutions of higher education providing distance education. Complaints concerning MSU’s distance education activities regulated by Michigan's Higher Education Authorization and Distance Education Reciprocal Exchange Act (2015 PA 45) may be directed to Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity Postsecondary Schools, P.O. Box 30726, Lansing, MI 48909 through the process described at www.michigan.gov/leo/bureaus-agencies/wd/pss.

• NC-SARA Student Complaint Process - Online Distance Education Programs
• NC-SARA State Portal Agencies – Online Distance Education Programs