State Authorization

The US Department of Education requires that any institution offering distance education programs to students outside of its home state must acquire authorization from the states in which students reside. Regulations vary from state to state.

Loyola University Chicago has been approved by Illinois to participate in the National Council for State Authorization and Reciprocity Agreements. NC-SARA is a voluntary, regional approach to state oversight of postsecondary distance education. As a participating ‌institution, LUC may offer online programming to students in other SARA member states without seeking authorization in that state. 

The list below summarizes Loyola's authorization status in all states plus the District of Columbia, indicating which online courses and programs are available to students from each state. The list below also notes which states are SARA members, indicating all online courses and programs are available in that state unless restrictions due to licensure or other issues have been noted.

For complaints, students enrolled in online courses and programs are able to follow the same procedure as on-campus students if a grievance with the University arises. Learn more about the procedure for filing a complaint at our Student Complaint Procedure page. 

Prospective Students: If the online program that you are considering requires a professional license in your home state, we urge you to contact the appropriate licensing agency in your state for guidance before embarking on an academic program located outside of your state.

Alabama—Alabama is a SARA member state, therefore LUC will be able to offer all online degree programs, certificate programs and online courses to residents of Alabama.

Alaska—Alaska is a SARA member state, therefore LUC is able to offer all online degree programs, certificate programs and online courses to residents of Alaska.

Arizona—Arizona is a SARA member state, therefore LUC is able to offer all online degree programs, certificate programs and online courses to residents of Arizona.

Arkansas—Arkansas is a SARA member state, therefore LUC is able to offer all online degree programs, certificate programs and online courses to residents of Arkansas.

California—Loyola University Chicago is not required to obtain approval or licensure by the State of California and may offer all online degree programs, certificate programs and online courses to residents of California.

Colorado—Colorado is a SARA member state, and therefore Loyola University Chicago is not required to obtain authorization in Colorado for online degree programs, certificate programs, and courses.

However, due to the nature of the clinical affiliation agreement, in the School of Nursing, students cannot participate in clinical rotations in the state of Colorado. Therefore the following online programs will not be available to residents of Colorado:

• Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
• DNP: Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist w/ Oncology specialty
• MSN in Nursing and Healthcare Administration
• MSN in Population-Based Infection Control and Environmental Safety Advanced Practice Nursing
• Post-MSN Adult Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist w/ Oncology Specialty Certificate

Connecticut—Connecticut is a SARA member state, therefore LUC may offer all online degree programs, certificate programs and online courses to Connecticut residents.

Delaware—Delaware is a SARA member state, therefore LUC is able to offer all online degree programs, certificate programs and online courses to residents of Delaware.

District of Columbia—The District of Columbia is a SARA member, therefore LUC is able to offer all online degree programs, certificate programs and online courses to residents of the District of Columbia.

Florida—Florida is a SARA member, therefore LUC is able to offer all online degree programs, certificate programs and online courses to residents of Florida.

Georgia—Georgia is a SARA member state, therefore LUC is able to offer all online degree programs, certificate programs and online courses to residents of Georgia.

Hawaii—Hawaii is a SARA member state, therefore LUC is able to offer all online degree programs, certificate programs and online courses to residents of Hawaii.

Idaho—Idaho is a SARA member state, therefore LUC is able to offer all online degree programs, certificate programs and online courses to residents of Idaho.

Illinois—Loyola University Chicago is fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and may therefore offer all degree programming to residents of Illinois.

Indiana—Indiana is a SARA member state, therefore LUC is able to offer all online degree programs, certificate programs and online courses to residents of Indiana.

Iowa—Iowa is a SARA member state, therefore LUC is able to offer all online degree programs, certificate programs and online courses to residents of Iowa.

Kansas—Kansas is a SARA member state, therefore LUC is able to offer all online degree programs, certificate programs and online courses to residents of Kansas.

Kentucky—Kentucky is a SARA member state, therefore LUC is able to offer all online degree programs, certificate programs and online courses to residents of Kentucky.

Louisiana—Louisiana is a SARA member state, therefore LUC is able to offer all online degree programs, certificate programs and online courses to residents of Louisiana.

Maine—Maine is a SARA member state, therefore LUC is able to offer all online degree programs, certificate programs and online courses to residents of Maine.

Maryland—Maryland is a SARA member state, therefore LUC will be able to offer all online degree programs, certificate programs and online courses to residents of Maryland.

Massachusetts—Massachusetts is a SARA member state, therefore LUC will be able to offer all online degree programs, certificate programs and online courses to residents of Massachusetts.

Michigan—Michigan is a SARA member state, therefore LUC is able to offer all online degree programs, certificate programs and online courses to residents of Michigan.

Minnesota—Minnesota is a SARA member state, and therefore Loyola University Chicago is not required to obtain authorization in Minnesota for online degree programs, certificate programs, and courses.

However, due to Nursing faculty requirements, the following online programs will not be available to residents of Minnesota:

• Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
• DNP: Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist w/ Oncology specialty
• MSN in Nursing and Healthcare Administration
• MSN in Population-Based Infection Control and Environmental Safety Advanced Practice Nursing
• Post-MSN Adult Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist w/ Oncology Specialty Certificate
• Healthcare Informatics Certificate
• Oncology Nursing Certificate Program
• Outcomes Performance Management Certificate
• Population-Based Infection Control and Environmental Safety Certificate
• RN to BSN

Mississippi—Mississippi is a SARA member state, therefore LUC is authorized to offer all online degree programs, certificate programs and online courses to residents of Mississippi. However, due to restrictions with licensure of Clinical Nurse Specialists in MS we recommend you contact the School of Nursing program director before you apply to get more information.

Missouri—Missouri is a SARA member state, therefore LUC is able to offer all online degree programs, certificate programs and online courses to residents of Missouri.

Montana—Montana is a SARA member state, therefore LUC is able to offer all online degree programs, certificate programs and online courses to residents of Montana.

Nebraska—Nebraska is a SARA member state, therefore LUC is able to offer all online degree programs, certificate programs and online courses to residents of Nebraska.

Nevada—Nevada is a SARA member state, therefore LUC is able to offer all online degree programs, certificate programs and online courses to residents of Nevada.

New Hampshire—New Hampshire is a SARA member state, therefore LUC is authorized to offer all online degree programs, certificate programs, and online courses to residents of New Hampshire. 

New Jersey—New Jersey is a SARA member state, therefore LUC is authorized to offer all online degree programs, certificate programs, and online courses to New Jersey residents.

New Mexico—New Mexico is a SARA member state, therefore LUC is able to offer all online degree programs, certificate programs and online courses to residents of New Mexico.

New York—New York is a SARA member state, therefore LUC is able to offer all online degree programs, certificate programs and online courses to residents of New York.

North Carolina—North Carolina is a SARA member state, therefore LUC is able to offer all online degree programs, certificate programs and online courses to residents of North Carolina.

North Dakota—North Dakota is a SARA member state, therefore LUC is able to offer all online degree programs, certificate programs and online courses to residents of North Dakota.

Ohio—Ohio is a SARA member state, therefore LUC is able to offer all online degree programs, certificate programs and online courses to residents of Ohio.

Oklahoma—Oklahoma is a SARA member state, therefore LUC is able to offer all online degree programs, certificate programs and online courses to residents of Oklahoma.

Oregon—Oregon is a SARA member state, therefore LUC is able to offer all online degree programs, certificate programs and online courses to residents of Oregon.

Pennsylvania—Pennsylvania is a SARA member state, therefore LUC is able to offer all online degree programs, certificate programs and online courses to residents of Pennsylvania.

Rhode Island—Rhode Island is a SARA member state, therefore LUC is able to offer all online degree programs, certificate programs and online courses to residents of Rhode Island.

South Carolina—South Carolina is a SARA member state, therefore LUC is able to offer all online degree programs, certificate programs and online courses to residents of South Carolina.

South Dakota—South Dakota is a SARA member state, therefore LUC is able to offer all online degree programs, certificate programs and online courses to residents of South Dakota.

Tennessee—Tennessee is a SARA member state, therefore LUC is able to offer all online degree programs, certificate programs and online courses to residents of Tennessee.

Texas—Texas is a SARA member state, therefore LUC is able to offer all online degree programs, certificate programs and online courses to residents of Texas.

Utah—Utah is a SARA member state, therefore LUC is able to offer all online degree programs, certificate programs and online courses to residents of Utah.

Vermont—Vermont is a SARA member state, therefore LUC is able to offer all online degree programs, certificate programs and online courses to residents of Vermont.

Virginia—Virginia is a SARA member state, therefore LUC is able to offer all online degree programs, certificate programs and online courses to residents of Virginia.

However, due to restrictions on certain programs we will not be offering online programs from the School of Nursing that lead to licensure. Therefore the following online programs will not be available to residents of Virginia:

• DNP: Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist w/ Oncology specialty
• Post-MSN Adult Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist w/ Oncology Specialty Certificate

Washington—Washington is a SARA member state, and therefore Loyola University Chicago is not required to obtain authorization in Washington for online degree programs, certificate programs, and courses.

However, due to State Nursing Commission requirements, the following online programs will not be available to residents of Washington:

• Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
• DNP: Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist w/ Oncology specialty
• MSN in Nursing and Healthcare Administration
• MSN in Population-Based Infection Control and Environmental Safety Advanced Practice Nursing
• Post-MSN Adult Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist w/ Oncology Specialty Certificate
• Healthcare Informatics Certificate
• Oncology Nursing Certificate Program
• Outcomes Performance Management Certificate
• Population-Based Infection Control and Environmental Safety Certificate
• RN to BSN

West Virginia—West Virginia is a SARA member state, therefore LUC is able to offer all online degree programs, certificate programs and online courses to residents of West Virginia.

Wisconsin—Wisconsin is a SARA member state, therefore LUC is able to offer all online degree programs, certificate programs and online courses to residents of Wisconsin.

Wyoming—Wyoming is a SARA member state, therefore LUC is able to offer all online degree programs, certificate programs and online courses to residents of Wyoming.