SARA & International Compliance

Explore DSU Program Availability by Location Map 

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.

Global Compliance for Online Studies

Not all countries regulate distance education, and for those that do, requirements vary by country. Some countries regulate distance education nationally, but there may also be regulations at the state or provincial level. Dakota State University cannot guarantee that a program meets the curriculum in foreign countries. 

Several countries will not formally recognize foreign online degrees, which may have implications for students who later seek to enroll in other educational programs, or for those who seek employment with that country’s government or employers requiring specific credentials. 

Prospective applicants interested in enrolling in DSU’s online programs from countries outside the U.S. should be aware of potential distance learning restrictions in their country of residence. These restrictions may include, but are not limited to, the restrictions below.

  • Your country may not recognize foreign online degrees or credentials from foreign institutions. 
  • Not all countries or professions accept degrees obtained through distance education as sufficient for educational experience, such as teaching and professional accountancy.  It is crucial that you contact your country's education department and appropriate professional licensing bodies before enrolling in a DSU online program.
  • As a student who may be subject to withholding taxes on tuition payments made to U.S. institutions.  
  • Your country may have data collections regulations that are different than the United States.
  • If you are a student living outside the U.S. and are not a U.S. citizen, taking an online course or program from DSU will not qualify you for either a visa or for work authorization in the U.S. following your chosen program of study.
  • Ensuring the availability of sufficient hardware, software, and internet connectivity to facilitate effective online learning and engagement. The proctoring of course exams.  Please check the DSU Student Hardware & Software Guidelines, IA Lab: Accessing vCloud Director, page for DSU’s Distance Learning minimum requirements, as well as the specific requirements outlined by each college/program.  

The United States Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) administers several sanctions programs. Dakota State University cannot accept applications, enroll students, or provide educational services to individuals who are citizens of, or who reside in, countries subject to sanctions administered by OFAC. This restriction will remain in effect until such sanctions are lifted or specific authorization is obtained. These restrictions do not apply to on-campus students. For the current list of sanctioned countries, please refer to the U.S. Department of the Treasury OFAC Sanctions Programs and Country Information.

Some countries have specific regulatory requirements for foreign online education cannot be met by DSU. Additionally, some online licensure programs or graduate-level online STEM programs may not be accessible to overseas students due to field placement requirements. To help you determine if DSU’s online programs are available in your country, please check the Program Availability by Location map.   

Print Article