State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA)

What is the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement?

The State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement is a voluntary agreement among its member states and U.S. territories that establishes comparable national standards for interstate offering of postsecondary distance education courses and programs. It is intended to make it easier for students to take online courses offered by postsecondary institutions based in another state.

Northwestern Michigan College (NMC) has been approved by the state of Michigan to participate in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements, which allows students to take online classes from NMC while residing in the states listed for approval through NC-SARA.

Professional Licensure

Northwestern Michigan College is approved to offer programs that may lead to licensure in the state of Michigan. Northwestern Michigan College cannot state that our programs will lead to licensure in other states. If you are considering an academic program that leads to a professional license in your state, it is highly recommended that you seek guidance from the appropriate licensing agency in your home state BEFORE beginning the academic program at Northwestern Michigan College (NMC). It is the student's responsibility to contact the appropriate licensing board to confirm whether an NMC program or course(s) will meet the requirements for licensure in the respective state.

Please refer to the Professional Licensure and Certifications document to find a complete list of all programs NMC offers and the associated licensing exams. 

Complaint Process

First, if a student has concerns related to classroom situations or administrative actions, he/she should contact the faculty or staff member(s) with whom he/she has an issue. It may be possible to resolve the concerns without the need for formal institutional action.

Second, if a student’s complaint is not resolved satisfactorily, or if the complaint cannot be resolved by contacting the faculty or staff member(s), the student should file a complaint through Northwestern Michigan College's complaint process.

Third, if the student is unable to resolve the complaint through Northwestern Michigan College's complaint process, a complaint can be filed with the State of Michigan, Corporations, Securities & Commercial Licensing Bureau (CSCL). How to file a post-secondary student complaint with CSCL. If a student wishes to complete and submit a complaint, they should complete the CSCL complaint form (CSCL complaint form) and attach any pertinent additional documentation.

State of Michigan Contact:

James R. Farhat, Specialist
Corporations, Securities & Commercial Licensing Bureau
Licensing Division
PO BOX 30018
Lansing, MI 48909
517.241.9221
517.373.2162 fax
farhatj@michigan.gov