State Authorization Requirements for Distance Education and Online Learning
If you are a Mississippi Valley State University student or prospective student who will not reside in Mississippi while enrolled in MVSU online programs, please be aware that many states have prescribed an authorization process for out-of-state institutions delivering online programs to their state residents. Through such processes, states strive to ensure quality post-secondary education, preserve the integrity of an academic degree, and instill greater consumer protection for their student citizens.
MVSU participates in the National Council of State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA), which allows students from NC-SARA-approved states to enroll in Valley's online programs. If the state you reside in is not indicated as an NC-SARA state, please contact stateauthorization@mvsu.edu for updated information and the current status of your state as well as programs available for enrollment.
Professional Licensure
The university is approved to offer programs that may lead to licensure in Mississippi. In the case that you may seek licensure in a state other than Mississippi, we are required by the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) and federal regulations to notify you whether we can or cannot confirm that our program meets licensure requirements in another state. This does not represent any change in our programs or in-state licensing requirements.
Successful completion of a program may be part of the process of qualifying you for a professional license or certification in the pertinent field. Professional licensure or certification often requires one or more of the following: additional education, examination, experience, or training beyond the program offered by the university.
Below is a list of programs that may lead to licensure.
| Department | Degree |
|---|---|
| Business Administration | Bachelor of Science - Accounting |
| Social Work | Bachelor of Social Work |
| Social Work | Master of Social Work |
| Education | Bachelor of Science - Elementary Education |
| Education | Bachelor of Science - Secondary Education |
| Education | Master of Arts - Teaching |
| Education | Master of Science - Special Education |
| Education | Master of Science - Elementary Education |
Accreditation
Mississippi Valley State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACS) to award bachelor's and master's degrees. For questions about the accreditation of MVSU, contact SACS at:
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
1866 Southern Lane
Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 Phone: 404.679.4500
Online Education Complaint Process
For MVSU's Out-of-State Students
Online Education Complaint Process
For MVSU's Out-of-State Students
If you have a complaint about an online education program offered at MVSU concerning allegations of dishonest or fraudulent activity, including the provision of false or misleading information, contact the Distance Education office at DistanceEd@mvsu.edu or 662-254-3625.
You may access the student complaint process at https://www.mvsu.edu/sites/default/files/mvsu_institutional_complaint_policy_and_process.pdf.
Complaint/Grievance form
https://www.mvsu.edu/sites/default/files/student_grievance_form-1_pdf_0.pdf.
Distance Education and Online Learning.
14000 Highway 82 West - MVSU 7229
Itta Bena, MS 38941-1400
662-254-3913 (Phone)
DistanceEd@mvsu.edu
In the unlikely event that a resolution is not found after exhausting MVSU’s complaint/grievance process, you may contact the Mississippi Commission on College Accreditation (MCCA) http://www.mississippi.edu/mcca/student_complaint_process.asp. Complaints regarding student grades or student conduct violations are governed entirely by MVSU policy.
See the list below to determine which agency in the state in which you reside can assist you in furthering your complaint or for additional information on the state’s status in terms of membership in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA)
SARA state
Alabama Commission on Higher Education
PO Box 302000
Montgomery, AL 36130-2000
Complaint Form
Alabama Attorney General Protection Hotline 800-392-5658
File online complaint http://ago.state.al.us/Page-Consumer-Protection.
Mailing Address: PO Box 300152, Montgomery, AL 36130
Physical Address: 501 Washington Avenue, Montgomery, AL 36104
SARA State
Alaska Commission on Post-secondary Education
PO Box 110505
Juneau, AK 99811-0505
Email
Alaska Office of Attorney General
Consumer Protection Unit
1031 W Fourth Ave., Ste. 200
Anchorage, AK 99501
Email
Complaint Form
Authorization is Pending
American Samoa Board of Higher Education
American Samoa Community College
P.O. Box 2609
Pago Pago, AS 96799
Phone: 684.699.9155
American Samoa Department of Legal Affairs
Office of the Attorney General
Executive Office Building – 3rd floor
Phone: (684) 633-4163 or 633-4164
Fax: (684) 633-1838
https://www.americansamoa.gov/department-of-legal-affairs-ag.
SARA state
Arizona State Board for Private Postsecondary Education
1400 W Washington St., Rm. 260
Phoenix, AZ 85007
Complaint Form
Arizona Attorney General
Address: 2005 N Central Ave
Phoenix, AZ 85004-2926
Phone: 602-542-5025
Website: https://www.azag.gov/consumer/home
SREB state
SARA state
Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board
Arkansas Department of Higher Education
114 East Capitol Ave.
Little Rock, AR 72201
Email
Complaint Form
Arkansas State Board of Private Career Education
501 Woodlane, Ste. 312S
Little Rock, AR 72201
Email
Complaint Form
MVSU does not maintain a physical presence in the state. Therefore, under the definition of physical presence applied by California as listed below, we are not required to become authorized:
Private postsecondary educational institution” means a private entity with a physical presence in this state that offers postsecondary education to the public for an institutional charge
California Department of Consumer Affairs
Toll Free number: 833-942-1120
1625 North Market Blvd., Suite N-112
Sacramento, California 95834
dca@dca.ca.gov
Students may also:
SARA state
Colorado Department of Higher Education
1560 Broadway, Ste. 1600
Denver, CO 80202
Complaint Form
Colorado Department of Higher Education 1600 Broadway, Suite 2200, Denver, CO 80202
Website: http://highered.colorado.gov/Academics/Complaints/default.html
Consumer Protection & Services Colorado State Attorney General
Ralph L. Carr Colorado Judicial Building 3
1300 Broadway, 10th Floor, Denver, CO 80203
Tel: 800-222-4444 or 720-508-6000
Contact: https://coag.gov/about-us/contact-colorado-office-attorney-general
Website: https://coag.gov/about-us/office-sections/consumer-protection
SARA state
Connecticut Department of Higher Education
61 Woodland St.
Hartford, CT 06105-2326
Email
Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection
165 Capitol Ave., Rm. 110
Hartford, CT 06106
(800) 842-2649
Email
Complaint Form
Authorization is Pending
FSM Higher Education Agency
College of Micronesia-FSM
P.O. Box 159
Kolonia Pohnpei, FM 96941
Phone: 691-320-2480
SARA state
Florida Commission on Independent Education
325 W. Gaines St., Suite 1414
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0400
Email
Complaint Form
Florida Office of Attorney General
Office of Attorney General
State of Florida
The Capitol PL-01, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1050
Tel: 866-966-7226 or 850-414-3990
Website:
http://myfloridalegal.com/contact.nsf/contact?Open&Section=Citizen_Services
SARA state
Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission
2082 E Exchange Pl., #220
Tucker, GA 30084-5334
Complaint Form
Governor’s Office of Consumer Affairs
2 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr., Suite 356, Atlanta, GA 30334
Tel: 800-869-1123 or 404-651-8600
Fax: 404-651-9018
Website: http://consumer.georgia.gov/pdf/Complaintform.pdf
Authorization is Pending
Office of Attorney General
Office of the Attorney General Office of Guam
Administration Division
590 S. Marine Corps Drive, Suite 901, Tamuning, Guam 96913
Tel: 671-475-3324
Fax: 671-472-2493
Email: law@guamag.org
Website: http://www.guamag.org/
Form:
http://www.guamag.org/forms_consumer/2015%20ConsumerComplaintForm.pdf
SARA state
Hawaii State Board of Education
PO Box 2360
Honolulu, HI 96804
Email
Complaint Form
Department of Commerce & Consumer Affairs
Office of Consumer Protection
235 S Beretania St.- Rm 801, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813-2419
Tel: 808-586-2630
Fax: 808-586-2640
Website: http://cca.hawaii.gov/consumer-complaints/
SARA state
Idaho State Board of Education
Attn: State Coordinator for Private Colleges and Proprietary Schools
650 W State St.
PO Box 83720
Boise, ID 83720-0037
Complaint Form
Idaho State Board of Education
Attn: State Coordinator for Private Colleges and Proprietary Schools
650 West State Street, P.O. Box 83720, Boise, ID 83720-0037
Website: https://boardofed.idaho.gov/priv_col_univ/student_complaint.asp
Office of the Attorney General
Consumer Protection Division
700 W. Jefferson St. Suite 210, P.O. Box 83720, Boise, Idaho 83720
Tel: 208-334-2424
Website:
http://www.ag.idaho.gov/onlineForms/consumerProtectionComplaint.htm
SARA state
Illinois Board of Higher Education
431 E Adams, 2nd Floor
Springfield, IL 62701-1404
(217) 557-7359
Email
Illinois State Board of Education
100 N 1st St.
Springfield, IL 62777
Complaint Form
Illinois Attorney General
Consumer Fraud Bureau
500 S Second St.
Springfield, IL 62706
Email
Complaint Form
SARA state
Indiana Commission on Proprietary Education
Attn: Director of Regulatory Compliance
302 W Washington St., Rm. E201
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Complaint Form
Consumer Protection Division
Office of the Indiana Attorney General
Government Center South
302 W. Washington St. 5th Floor, Indianapolis, IN 46204
Tel: 317-232-6330 or 800-382-5516
Website: https://www.in.gov/attorneygeneral/2434.htm
Form: https://indianaattorneygeneral.secure.force.com/ConsumerComplaintForm
SARA state
Iowa Student Aid Commission
603 E 12th St., 5th Floor
Des Moines, IA 50319
Email
Complaint Form
Consumer Protection Division
Attorney General of Iowa
1305 E. Walnut, Des Moines, IA 50319
Tel: 888-777-4590 or 515-281-5926
Fax: 515-281-6771
Email: consumer@ag.iowa.gov
Website Online Form: https://www.iowaattorneygeneral.gov/for-consumers/filea-consumer-complai...
Form:
https://www.iowaattorneygeneral.gov/media/cms/FILLABLE_Consumer_Protecti...
SARA state
Kansas Board of Regents
1000 SW Jackson St., Ste. 520
Topeka, KS 66612-1368
Complaint Form
SARA state
Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education
1024 Capital Center Dr., #320
Frankfort, KY 40601-7512
Kentucky Board of Proprietary Education
911 Leawood Dr.
Frankfort, KY 40601-3319
Complaint Form
Office of the Attorney General
Capitol Suite 118
700 Capitol Ave.
Frankfort, KY 40601-3449
Complaint Form
SARA state
Louisiana Board of Regents
PO Box 3677
Baton Rouge, LA 70821-3677
Complaint Form
Office of the Attorney General
Consumer Protection Section
P.O. Box 94005, Baton Rouge, LA 70804
Tel: 800-351-4889 or 225-326-6465
Email: ConsumerInfo@ag.state.la.us
Website: http://www.ag.state.la.us/Home/ComplaintDocument
SARA state
Maine Department of Education
Complaint Investigator
23 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333-0023
Email
Maine Attorney General
Consumer Protection Division
6 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333
Complaint Form
Authorization is Pending
Republic of the Marshall Islands
Ministry of Education
P.O. Box 3
Majuro, MH 96960
Phone: 692.625.5261
Office of the Attorney General
P.O. Box 890
Majuro, Republic of the Marshall Islands 96960
Tel: (692) 625-3244/8245
Fax: (692) 625-5218
SARA state
Maryland Higher Education Commission
839 Bestgate Rd., Ste. 400
Annapolis, MD 21401-3013
Complaint Form
Maryland Attorney General
Consumer Protection Division
200 St. Paul Pl.
Baltimore, MD 21202
(410) 528-8662
Email
Complaint Form
SARA state
Massachusetts Board of Higher Education
One Ashburton Place, Rm. 1401
Boston, MA 02108
Office of the Attorney General
Consumer Advocacy & Response Division
One Ashburton Place, 18th Floor, Boston, MA 02108
Tel: 617-727-2200
Email: ago@state.ma.us
Website: http://www.mass.gov/ago/consumer-resources/consumerassistance/consumer-c...
SARA state
Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth
Office of Postsecondary Services
Proprietary School Unit Staff
201 N Washington Sq.
Lansing, MI 48913
Complaint Form
Office of Attorney General
Consumer Protection Division
P.O. Box 30213, Lansing, MI 48909-7713
Tel: 517-335-7599 Fax: 517-241-3771
Email: miag@michigan.gov
Website: https://secure.ag.state.mi.us/complaints/consumer.aspx
SARA state
Minnesota Office of Higher Education
1450 Energy Park Dr., Ste. 350
St. Paul, MN 55108-5227
Email
Minnesota Attorney General’s Office
1400 Bremer Tower
445 Minnesota St.
St. Paul, MN 55101
Complaint Form
SARA state
Mississippi Commission on College Accreditation
3825 Ridgewood Rd.
Jackson, MS 39211-6453
Mississippi Commission of Proprietary Schools and College Registration
3825 Ridgewood Rd.
Jackson, MS 39211-6453
Consumer Protection Division
Office of the Attorney General
State of Mississippi
PO Box 22947
Jackson, MS 39225-2947
Email
Complaint Form
SARA state
Missouri Department of Higher Education
205 Jefferson St.
PO Box 1469
Jefferson City, MO 65102-1469
Complaint Form
Attorney General’s Office
Consumer Protection Unit
P.O. Box 899, Jefferson City, MO 65102
Tel: 800-392-8222 or 573-751-3321
Email: consumer.help@ago.mo.gov
Website: https://ago.mo.gov/app/consumercomplaint
Form: https://ago.mo.gov/docs/defaultsource/forms/consumercomplaintform.pdf?sf...
SARA state
Montana Board of Regents
Office of Commissioner of Higher Education
Montana University System
2500 Broadway St.
PO Box 203201
Helena, MT 59620-3201
Montana Office of Consumer Protection
2225 11th Ave.
PO Box 200151
Helena, MT 59620-0151
Email
Complaint Form
SARA state
Nebraska Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education
PO Box 95005
Lincoln, NE 68509-5005
Nebraska Department of Education
Investigations Office
301 S Centennial Mall
PO Box 98987
Lincoln, NE 68509-4987
Complaint Form
Nebraska Attorney General
Consumer Protection Division
2115 State Capitol
Lincoln, NE 68509
(800) 727-6432
Complaint Form
SARA state
Nevada Commission on Post-secondary Education
3663 E Sunset Rd., Ste. 202
Las Vegas, NV 89120
Complaint Form
Office of the Attorney General
Bureau of Consumer Protection
100 North Carson Street, Carson City, NV 89701
Tel: 775-684-1100 Fax: 775-684-1108
Website: http://ag.nv.gov/Complaints/File_Complaint/
SARA state
New Hampshire Postsecondary Education Commission
3 Barrell Ct., #300
Concord, NH 03301-8531
Complaint Form
Office of the Attorney General
Consumer Protection & Antitrust Bureau
33 Capitol Street, Concord, NH 03301
Tel: 888-468-4454 or 603-271-3641
Fax: 603-223-6202
Email: DOJ-CPB@doj.nh.gov
Website: http://business.nh.gov/ConsumerComplaint/step1.asp
SARA state
New Jersey Commission on Higher Education
PO Box 542
Trenton, NJ 08625
Email
New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development
1 John Fitch Pl.
PO Box 110
Trenton, NJ 08625-0110
Email
Complaint Form
New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs
124 Halsey St.
Newark, NJ 07102
Complaint Form
SARA state
New Mexico Higher Education Department
2048 Galisteo
Santa Fe, NM 87505
Complaint Form
Attorney General Hector Balderas
Consumer Protection Division
PO Drawer 1508, Santa Fe, NM 87504
Tel: 1-844-255-9210
Email: publicinformationoff@nmag.gov
Form: https://secure.nmag.gov/ecs
SARA state
New York Office of College and University Evaluation
New York State Education Department
5 N Mezzanine
Albany, NY 12234
Email
Complaint Form
New York Bureau of Proprietary School Supervision
New York State Education Department
99 Washington Ave., Rm. 1613 OCP
Albany, NY 12234
New York State Department of State
Division of Consumer Protection
Consumer Assistance Unit
5 Empire State Plaza, Ste. 2101
Albany, NY 12223-1556
Complaint Form
Authorization is Pending
State Higher Education Agency, Northern Marianas College
Attn: Frankie M. Eliptico, Interim President
POB 501250, Saipan MP 96950-1250
Tel: 670-234-5498
Fax: 670-234-1270
Email: nmc@nmcnet.edu
Office of Attorney General
Edward E Manibusan
2nd Floor Hon. Juan A. Sablan Memorial Bldg.
Caller Box 10007, Capitol Hill, Saipan, MP 96950
Website: http://www.cnmioag.org/about-us/
Form: https://www.cnmioag.org/publications/1617/
SARA state
North Carolina Community College System Office of Proprietary Schools
200 W Jones St.
Raleigh, NC 27603
Complaint Form
North Carolina Consumer Protection
Attorney General’s Office
Mail Service Center 9001
Raleigh, NC 27699-9001
Complaint Form
SARA state
North Dakota Department of Career and Technical Education
State Capitol – 15th Floor
600 E Boulevard Ave., Dept. 270
Bismarck, ND 58505-0610
Email
North Dakota Consumer Protection Division
Office of Attorney General
Gateway Professional Center
1050 E Interstate Ave., Ste. 200
Bismarck, ND 58503-5574
Complaint Form
SARA state
Ohio State Board of Career Colleges and Schools
35 E Gay St., Ste. 403
Columbus, OH 43215-31388
Complaint Form
Ohio Board of Regents
30 E Broad St., 36th Floor
Columbus, OH 43215-3414
Ohio Attorney General
Consumer Protection Section
30 E Broad St., 14th Floor
Columbus, OH 43215-3400
Complaint Form
SARA state
Oregon Office of Degree Authorization
1500 Valley River Dr., Ste. 100
Eugene, OR 97401
Oregon Department of Education
Private Career Schools Office
255 NE Capitol St.
Salem, OR 97310-0203
Complaint Form
Oregon Attorney General
Financial Fraud/Consumer Protection Section
1162 NE Court St.
Salem, OR 97301-4096
Complaint Form
Authorization is Pending
Republic of Palau National Government
Ministry of Education
PO BOX 6051 Koror, Palau 96940
Phone 680.767.2403
Ministry of Justice of Palau
Office of the Attorney General
P.O. Box 1365
Koror, Palau 96940
Tel. (680)488-2481/2487
Fax. (680)488-3329
Email: agoffice@palaunet.com
SARA state
Pennsylvania Department of Education
333 Market St.
Harrisburg, PA 17126-0333
Office of Attorney General
Bureau of Consumer Protection
Strawberry Square, 14th Floor
Harrisburg, PA 17120
Complaint Form
SARA State
David Baez
Acting Director, Education Support Programs
Puerto Rico Council on Education
PO Box 19900
San Juan, P.R. 00919-1900
787.641.7100 ext. 2056
dbaez@estado.pr.gov
mvaras@estado.pr.gov (please copy all emails)
Puerto Rico Department of Justice
PO 9020192, San Juan, Puerto Rico 00902-0192
SARA state
Rhode Island Board of Governors for Higher Education
Shepard Building
80 Washington St.
Providence, RI 02903
Rhode Island Department of Attorney General
Consumer Protection Unit
150 S Main St.
Providence, RI 02903
Complaint Form
SARA state
South Carolina Commission on Higher Education
1333 Main St., Ste. 200
Columbia, SC 29201
Complaint Form
South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs
PO Box 5757, Columbia, SC 29250
Tel: 803-734-4200
Email: scdca@scconsumer.gov
Website: https://www.consumer.sc.gov/consumer-resources/consumercomplaints
Form:
https://applications.sc.gov/DCAComplaintSystem/Login/ConsumerLogin.aspx
SARA state
South Dakota Board of Regents
306 E Capitol Ave., Ste. 200
Pierre, SD 57501-2545
South Dakota Office of Attorney General
Division of Consumer Protection
1302 E Hwy 14, Ste. 3
Pierre, SD 57501-8053
Complaint Form
SARA state
Tennessee Higher Education Commission
404 James Robertson Pky., Ste. 1900
Nashville, TN 37243
Complaint Form
Department of Commerce and Insurance
Consumer Affairs Department
500 James Robertson Pkwy, Nashville, TN 37243-0600
Tel: 800-342-8385 (TN only) or 615-741-4737
Fax: 615-741-2241
Email: Ask.TDCI@TN.Gov
Website: https://www.tn.gov/commerce/section/consumer-affairs
SARA state
Texas Workforce Commission
Career Schools and Colleges
101 E 15th St., Rm. 226-T
Austin, TX 78778-0001
Complaint Form
Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
1200 E Anderson Ln.
Austin, TX 78752
Office of the Attorney General
Consumer Protection Division
PO Box 12548
Austin, TX 78711-2548
Complaint Form
SARA State
Camille McKayle
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
University of the Virgin Islands
#2 John Brewers Bay
St. Thomas, USVI 00802
340.693.1200
Government of the United States Virgin Islands
Department of Education, Office of the Commissioner
ST. THOMAS
1834 Kongens Gade, St. Thomas, V.I. 00802
Tel: 340-774-0100
ST. CROIX
2133 Hospital Street, Christiansted, St. Croix, 00820
Tel: 340-773-1095
Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs
Attn: Consumer Affairs
Golden Rock Shopping Center,
3000 Estate Golden Rock, Suite 9, St Croix, VI 00820
St. Croix Tel: 340‐713‐2754
St Thomas Tel: 340‐776‐0675
Website:
https://secure.dlca.vi.gov/license/Asps/complaint/AddComplaint.aspx?Busseq
SARA state
Utah Division of Consumer Protection
160 E 300 South
Salt Lake City, UT 84111
Email
Complaint Form
SARA state
Vermont Department of Education
State Board of Education
120 State St.
Montpelier, VT 05620-2501
Vermont Attorney General’s Office
109 State St.
Montpelier, VT 05609-1001
SARA state
State Council of Higher Education for Virginia
101 N 14th St.
James Monroe Building
Richmond, VA 23219
Complaint Form
Office of the Attorney General of Virginia
Consumer Protection Section
900 East Main Street, Richmond, VA 23219
Tel: 800‐552‐9963 (VA only) or 804‐786‐2042
Fax: 804‐225‐4378
Website: http://ag.virginia.gov/consumer-protection/index.php/file-a-complaint
SARA state
Washington Higher Education Coordinating Board
917 Lakeridge Way
PO Box 43430
Olympia, WA 98504-3430
Email
Complaint Form
Washington Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board
128 SW 10th Ave.
PO Box 43105
Olympia, WA 98504-3105
Email
Complaint Form
Washington State Office of the Attorney General
1125 SE Washington St.
PO Box 40100
Olympia, WA 98504-0100
Email
Complaint Form
SARA state
District of Columbia Office of the State Superintendent of Education
Education Licensure Commission
810 NE First St., 9th Floor
Washington, DC 20002
Complaint Form
SARA state
West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission
1018 E Kanawha Blvd, Ste. 700
Charleston, WV 25301-2800
Community and Technical College System of West Virginia
1018 E Kanawha Blvd., Ste. 700
Charleston, WV 25301
West Virginia Office of the Attorney General
Consumer Protection Division
PO Box 1789
Charleston, W 25326-1789
Complaint Form
SARA state
Wisconsin Educational Approval Board
30 W Mifflin St., 9th Floor
PO Box 8696
Madison, WI 53708
Email
Complaint Form
Bureau of Consumer Protection
PO Box 8911, Madison, WI 53708-8911
(800) 422-7128
(608) 224-4677 Fax
(608) 224-5058 TTY
Email: DATCPHotline@Wisconsin.gov
Form: https://mydatcp.wi.gov/Complaints/complaint/create/da42c589-da19-
e511-af89-0050568c06ae
SARA state
Wyoming Department of Education
2300 Capitol Ave.
Hathaway Building, 2nd Floor
Cheyenne, WY 82002-0050
Attorney General’s Office
123 Capitol Building
200 W 24th St.
Cheyenne, WY 82002