ACCREDITATION & STATE AUTHORIZATION
State Authorization and Compliance for Distance Learning
Accreditation & State Authorization
New England Commission for Higher Education (NECHE) Accreditation 2026
State Authorization
If a student enrolled in an online or distance learning course or program resides outside of Connecticut, the University of Connecticut must be authorized to offer instruction in that state or U.S. territory. This authorization may be obtained directly from an individual state or through participation in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA).
UConn is a SARA institution and is authorized to provide distance education to students in all SARA member states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. UConn is also authorized to offer distance education to students residing in California, which is not a SARA member state.
At this time, UConn is not authorized to offer distance education to students residing in Guam, American Samoa, or the Northern Mariana Islands.
Student Complaint Process
UConn undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in online or distance education programs may access information about filing a complaint through the Online/Distance Learning Student Complaint Process webpage.
Professional Licensure or Certification
Information regarding whether UConn programs leading to professional licensure or certification meet educational requirements in other states is available on the professional licensure webpage.
On that page, students may select a state to view which UConn programs meet that state’s educational requirements for licensure or certification. Questions regarding programs that lead to professional licensure or certification should be directed to the appropriate UConn academic department or program.
Financial Aid
Students receiving Federal Student Aid (Title IV funding) while enrolled exclusively in an eligible online program may lose eligibility for aid if they relocate to a state or territory where UConn is not authorized to provide distance education.
Additional information about program eligibility is available through the Financial Aid website.
Institutional Compliance and Student Protections
If a student enrolled in an online or distance learning course or program resides outside of Connecticut, the University of Connecticut must be authorized to offer instruction in that state or U.S. territory. This authorization may be obtained directly from an individual state or through participation in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA).
Catastrophic Event and Disaster Recovery Planning
The University of Connecticut Office of Emergency Management maintains the University Emergency Operations Plan (EOP), an all-hazards plan outlining procedures for preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation across all UConn campuses and locations.
University Information Technology Services (ITS) maintains a disaster recovery policy to support continuity of operations. If necessary, PeopleSoft Student Administration systems can be restored within 24 hours through the University’s remote recovery facility located at the State of Connecticut data center in Groton, Connecticut. ITS also maintains an IT Security Incident Response Plan to support the protection and recovery of student records and related systems.
Consistent with accreditation standards established by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), as well as state and federal requirements, UConn regularly reviews and updates its disaster preparedness and recovery procedures.
Student Records Management
The University of Connecticut maintains policies and procedures to protect the security, integrity, and confidentiality of student academic records in accordance with the University Records Management Policy.
Information about obtaining official transcripts is available through the Office of the Registrar. The University Privacy Officer, within the Office of University Compliance, oversees institutional compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).