Do distance education programs need approval in CT?
Out-of-state colleges can offer online programs to Connecticut students with the authorization of the Office of Higher Education (OHE).
This applies to any college or university that:
- Does not have a physical presence in Connecticut.
- Is NOT a State approval Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) institution.
CT’s OHE does not approve instruction offered exclusively through:
- Internships
- Externships
- Student teaching
- Clinical placements
- Field placements
- Practical experience.
Conditions for approval of out-of-state colleges and universities
CT OHE can authorize foreign schools that are:
- Accredited by a recognized accrediting agency of the U.S. Department of Education (USDE).
- In good standing with the accreditor and home-state regulators.
- Have a federal composite financial score of 1.5 or greater.
- Have a student complaints webpage. The page should refer CT students to OHE to file out-of-state complaints.
CT OHE will review institutions for provisional approval in the following cases:
- School is not in good standing with the accreditor and/or home state regulator.
- The Federal Composite Financial Score is between 1 and 1.49.
Requirements of non-SARA institutions
If a school in a SARA member state is ineligible for SARA, it may not qualify for OHE approval. CT OHE will assess these schools on a case-by-case basis.
Before they can offer programs in CT, non-SARA schools have to prove that they:
- Use good academic standards, are financially stable, and have rules that protect students.
- Abide by Higher Learning Commission guidelines [PDF].
- Work with CT OHE to resolve any complaints from students in CT.
- Follow CT OHE’s decisions about student complaints.
- Notify CT students in writing if a program does not qualify for a professional license in the State.
- Pay the annual, non-refundable CT out-of-state application fee. Make checks payable to Treasurer, State of Connecticut.
CT OHE will review your application and fee, once we receive them. If everything is in order, we will send a registration letter that is valid until the end of the year.
Gain OHE approval as a non-SARA out-of-state institution
If your school does not have a physical presence in CT, and you are not a member of State approval Reciprocity Agreement (SARA), use one of these forms to submit a request for approval: