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What is state authorization?

Each state has laws and regulations which govern educational activities within the state. These include education provided by entities within the state and outside of the state. These laws and regulations are in place to protect the citizens of the state.

¾Ã¾ÃÈÈÊÓƵ must comply with laws and regulations set forth by states before any educational activity can occur within that state. These activities include courses and programs offered fully online, internships, externships, co-ops, field experiences, student teaching and clinical placements

Who does this affect?

Any student enrolling in distance education courses who reside outside of the state of South Dakota or any student who is participating in any field experience (ex. internships, student teaching, clinicals, etc.) outside the state of South Dakota.

How does SDSU comply with these laws and regulations?

SDSU participates in the . South Dakota became a State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement state in November 2014. SDSU became a State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement member institution in March 2015. State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement is a national initiative that increases student access to distance education courses and programs while maintaining compliance with state regulations. Institutions participating in State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement can offer educational opportunities in all 49 member states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico without seeking individual approval in each state.

SDSU is not required to obtain authorization for fully online education in California (). If you reside in or plan to participate in educational activities in California, please contact us for updates. Prospective students who reside in a U.S. territory (American Samoa, Guam, Northern Marianas Islands) or in another country should contact Continuing and Distance Education before enrolling.

Limited Authorization

Colorado: The Colorado Workers’ Compensation Act requires student interns to be covered by workers' compensation insurance. SDSU is not able to add students to its institutional workers’ compensation policy as SDSU field experience students are not insurable employees as defined by South Dakota law. Please contact Continuing and Distance Education regarding questions related to these limitations.

New Hampshire: New Hampshire requires programs such as internships, job shadowing or mentor program to be approved by the labor commissioner when a student is working for practical experience and is not being paid or being paid at a subminimum rate. Approval is required in advance to participation in such offerings, it is important to work with your internship coordinator and Continuing and Distance Education in advance to seek out approval.

Online or Distance Education Outside of the United States

Just as each state regulates education, countries outside the United States also regulate education, and SDSU must be aware of and abide by those regulations. SDSU's ability to offer online or distance education to individuals residing outside of the United States may be limited due to the following factors:

• Institutional or program approval required
• Consumer protection
• Accessibility regulations
• Export controls
• Copyright and intellectual property rights
• Recognition of online degrees for purposes of employment or transfer of credit
• Taxes (digital sales tax, value added tax, etc.)
• Data privacy and/or breach notification requirements

Researching and seeking appropriate approvals may take several weeks up to months to determine if SDSU is able to offer online or distance education to an individual residing outside of the United States. Please contact Continuing and Distance Education if you have questions.

If you are an international student studying in the United States, consult SDSU International Affairs for additional information regarding to enrollment in online courses.

Sanctioned Countries

• of the U.S. Department of the Treasury administers and enforces economic and trade sanctions based on U.S. foreign policy and national security goals. The Office of Foreign Assets Control issues both civil and criminal penalties for noncompliance.
• While comprehensively sanctioned countries change over time, currently they are Belarus, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia, Syria and certain Regions of Ukraine.
• A comprehensively sanctioned country is one with which the United States government prohibits nearly all imports/exports or financing for most items including technology and services. Transactions and activities require a specific license or exemption from the U.S. government.