State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA)
For Dakota State University (DSU) to offer online course/programs or experiential learning activity to students outside of the state of South Dakota, DSU must seek approval from the state the student is physically located in and/or the state the activity is taking place in. State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement is a national initiative that increases student access to distance education courses and programs while maintaining compliance with state regulations. SARA is the permission Dakota State University has to offer programs to student in U.S. states and territories. South Dakota participates in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA), and DSU is an institutional member of NC-SARA. As a participant in NC-SARA, DSU shares a distance learning opportunity with 49 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The California Bureau of Private Postsecondary Education does not regulate out-of-state public institutions. Bureau approval for Dakota State University to offer distance education programs to students located in California is not required so DSU is able to offer programs in California.