Many students take advantage of distance education, including distance education offered by out-of-state institutions, to meet their goals. Both in-state and out-of-state degree-granting postsecondary institutions that offer academic programs for Oregon students must be approved by the Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC).
The HECC authorizes out-of-state institutions to offer distance education in Oregon either through the
Office of Degree Authorization (ODA) or through a broad agreement called the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA).
The State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) establishes comparable national standards among member states, districts, and territories for interstate offerings of postsecondary distance education courses and programs. SARA is intended to make it easier for students to take online courses offered by postsecondary institutions based in another state. SARA is overseen by a National Council and administered by four regional education compacts. The school's accrediting body must have distance education within its scope as determined by the U.S. Department of Education.
The HECC is the agency that participates in SARA for Oregon.
A list of Oregon institutions approved by the HECC for SARA is available here.
For a complete list of all National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA)-authorized institutions and member states, including Oregon institutions, visit the national SARA website here.
Institution Resources: Applying for Authorization