State Authorization
SARA
Saint Leo University Complaint Process
SARA Procedures for Complaints
Authorization and Complaint Procedures by State
Licensure Information
Department of Veteran Affairs External Complaints
Saint Leo University is authorized to operate physical campuses in 7 states: California, Georgia, Florida, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas and Virginia. Saint Leo University is a participant institution of the national State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA). Saint Leo’s participation in SARA simplifies the university’s ability to offer online academic programming across state lines and U.S. territories.
The State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) is an agreement among member states, districts, and territories in the United States, which establishes comparable national standards for interstate offering of postsecondary distance education activities. These distance education activities may include, but not be limited to, online courses and certain types of supervised field experiences. SARA is intended to simplify the process of state authorization related to the aforementioned distance education activities by establishing a standard approval process through which institutions may participate in the reciprocity agreement with other member states. Although SARA facilitates state authorization for certain types of distance education activities, the reciprocity agreement has no effect on state professional licensure requirements. To learn more about SARA, please visit: nc-sara.org.
Florida joined SARA through the Southern Regional Education Board. Saint Leo University is a SARA approved institution which is recognized by 49 states (except California) and the District of Columbia.
Students should attempt to resolve complaints with the university itself. Applicable university policies usually describe the appropriate procedures such as contacting your academic advisor or dean. Policies can be found in the Code of Conduct. Should a student file a complaint with a state or accrediting body, the student will not be subjected to adverse actions by any school official as a result of initiating a complaint.
Filing a complaint with the State of Florida, another state, or an accrediting body does not excuse a student from following any applicable university policies for appeals or challenges to actions taken or to any time frames for the filing of such internal appeals.
Distance Education students, who have completed the internal institutional grievance process and the applicable state grievance process, may appeal non-instructional complaints to the Florida SARA PRDEC Council. For additional information on the complaint process, please visit the Florida SARA Complaint Process page or the website at www.flsara.org.
Please note that no adverse action has been taken by a state or accrediting agency against Saint Leo’s online programs for the previous five calendar years.
State Regulatory Authorization Status: N/A
SARA Authorization Status: Authorized
State Student Complaint Information*:
State Regulatory Authorization Status: N/A
SARA Authorization Status: Authorized
State Student Complaint Information*:
EED.ACPE-IA@alaska.gov
P.O. Box 110505
Juneau, Alaska 99811-0505
State Regulatory Authorization Status: N/A
SARA Authorization Status: Authorized
State Student Complaint Information*:
State Regulatory Authorization Status: N/A
SARA Authorization Status: Authorized
State Student Complaint Information*:
State Regulatory Authorization Status: Authorized for all physical locations
SARA Authorization Status: Not a SARA State
State Student Complaint Information*:
State Regulatory Authorization Status: N/A
SARA Authorization Status: Authorized
State Student Complaint Information*:
State Regulatory Authorization Status: N/A
SARA Authorization Status: Authorized
State Student Complaint Information*:
State Regulatory Authorization Status: N/A
SARA Authorization Status: Authorized
State Student Complaint Information*:
State Regulatory Authorization Status: N/A
SARA Authorization Status: Authorized
State Student Complaint Information*:
State Regulatory Authorization Status: Exempt for all physical locations
SARA Authorization Status: Exempt from all Online Programs
State Student Complaint Information*:
State Regulatory Authorization Status: Authorized for all physical locations
SARA Authorization Status: Authorized
State Student Complaint Information*:
State Regulatory Authorization Status: N/A
SARA Authorization Status: Authorized
State Student Complaint Information*:
State Regulatory Authorization Status: N/A
SARA Authorization Status: Authorized
State Student Complaint Information*:
State Regulatory Authorization Status: N/A
SARA Authorization Status: Authorized
State Student Complaint Information*:
State Regulatory Authorization Status: N/A
SARA Authorization Status: Authorized
State Student Complaint Information*:
State Regulatory Authorization Status: N/A
SARA Authorization Status: Authorized
State Student Complaint Information*:
State Regulatory Authorization Status: N/A
SARA Authorization Status: Authorized
State Student Complaint Information*:
State Regulatory Authorization Status: N/A
SARA Authorization Status: Authorized
State Student Complaint Information*:
State Regulatory Authorization Status: N/A
SARA Authorization Status: Authorized
State Student Complaint Information*:
State Regulatory Authorization Status: N/A
SARA Authorization Status: Authorized
State Student Complaint Information*:
State Regulatory Authorization Status: N/A
SARA Authorization Status: Authorized
State Student Complaint Information*:
State Regulatory Authorization Status: N/A
SARA Authorization Status: Authorized
State Student Complaint Information*:
State Regulatory Authorization Status: N/A
SARA Authorization Status: Authorized
State Student Complaint Information*:
State Regulatory Authorization Status: N/A
SARA Authorization Status: Authorized
State Student Complaint Information*:
State Regulatory Authorization Status: Authorized for all physical locations
SARA Authorization Status: Authorized
State Student Complaint Information*:
State Regulatory Authorization Status: N/A
SARA Authorization Status: Authorized
State Student Complaint Information*:
State Regulatory Authorization Status: N/A
SARA Authorization Status: Authorized
State Student Complaint Information*:
State Regulatory Authorization Status: N/A
SARA Authorization Status: Authorized
State Student Complaint Information*:
State Regulatory Authorization Status: N/A
SARA Authorization Status: Authorized
State Student Complaint Information*:
State Regulatory Authorization Status: N/A
SARA Authorization Status: Authorized
State Student Complaint Information*:
Distance Education students, who have completed the internal institutional grievance process and the applicable state grievance process, may appeal non-instructional complaints to the FL-SARA PRDEC Council. For additional information on the complaint process, please visit the FL-SARA Complaint Process page.
State Regulatory Authorization Status: N/A
SARA Authorization Status: Authorized
State Student Complaint Information*:
State Regulatory Authorization Status: N/A
SARA Authorization Status: Authorized
State Student Complaint Information*:
State Regulatory Authorization Status: N/A
SARA Authorization Status: Authorized
State Student Complaint Information*:
State Regulatory Authorization Status: N/A
SARA Authorization Status: Authorized
State Student Complaint Information*:
State Regulatory Authorization Status: N/A
SARA Authorization Status: Authorized
State Student Complaint Information*:
State Regulatory Authorization Status: N/A
SARA Authorization Status: Authorized
State Student Complaint Information*:
State Regulatory Authorization Status: N/A
SARA Authorization Status: Authorized
State Student Complaint Information*:
State Regulatory Authorization Status: N/A
SARA Authorization Status: Authorized
State Student Complaint Information*:
State Regulatory Authorization Status: N/A
SARA Authorization Status: Authorized
State Student Complaint Information*:
State Regulatory Authorization Status: N/A
SARA Authorization Status: Authorized
State Student Complaint Information*:
State Regulatory Authorization Status: N/A
SARA Authorization Status: Authorized
State Student Complaint Information*:
State Regulatory Authorization Status: Authorized for all physical locations
SARA Authorization Status: Authorized
State Student Complaint Information*:
State Regulatory Authorization Status: N/A
SARA Authorization Status: Authorized
State Student Complaint Information*:
State Regulatory Authorization Status: N/A
SARA Authorization Status: Authorized
State Student Complaint Information*:
State Regulatory Authorization Status: Authorized for all physical locations
SARA Authorization Status: Authorized
State Student Complaint Information*:
State Regulatory Authorization Status: N/A
SARA Authorization Status: Authorized
State Student Complaint Information*:
State Regulatory Authorization Status: N/A
SARA Authorization Status: Authorized
State Student Complaint Information*:
State Regulatory Authorization Status: Authorized for all physical locations
SARA Authorization Status: Authorized
State Student Complaint Information*:
State Regulatory Authorization Status: N/A
SARA Authorization Status: Authorized
State Student Complaint Information*:
State Regulatory Authorization Status: N/A
SARA Authorization Status: Authorized
State Student Complaint Information*:
State Regulatory Authorization Status: N/A
SARA Authorization Status: Authorized
State Student Complaint Information*:
State Regulatory Authorization Status: N/A
SARA Authorization Status: Authorized
State Student Complaint Information*:
Applicable to the following programs: Bachelor of Arts, Educational Studies; Bachelor of Arts, Elementary Education; Bachelor of Arts, Middle Grades Education, Bachelor of Arts, Secondary Education; Master, Education – Educational Leadership; Master, Education – Exceptional Student Education; Master, Education – Instructional Leadership; Master, Education – Instructional Leadership and Reading; Master, Education – Reading; Master, Instructional Design; EdS: Education Specialist – Educational Leadership; Doctor, Education; Educator Preparation Institute (EPI).
Currently, the Saint Leo University Education programs listed above meet the education standards and requirements for certification in the following states: Florida, Nevada, Virginia, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Mississippi, Tennessee, South Carolina, Maine and Georgia.
Saint Leo University cannot confirm, at this time, whether this particular program meets the requirements for professional licensure in any other state. If you intend to pursue such credentialing in your state or elsewhere, we advise you to contact the applicable state credentialing authority to familiarize yourself with its specific requirements and determine if our program meets its eligibility criteria. Click the link below for additional information regarding interstate agreements for educator certification:
NASDTEC Interstate Agreement for Educator Licensure 2015-2010.
Please click on the links below to familiarize yourself with the reciprocity agreements for these states or any other state in which you wish to pursue licensure:
For more information about the process of certification through reciprocity, explore the Florida Department of Education website, or contact the Florida Department of Education at (800) 445-6739. Click the link below to verify the requirements of applicable certification board(s) in any other state you may want to pursue certification prior to beginning or continuing your academic program in order to determine whether the program meets certification requirements:
Information for Out-of-State Applicants.
Applicable to the following programs: Bachelor, Social Work (BSW); Master, Social Work (MSW).
The Saint Leo University Bachelor of Social Work prepare students for professional licensure and, at this time, this program meets the education requirements for CSWE (https://cswe.org/) on a national level, and meets the requirements for professional licensure in the following states: Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Pennsylvania (provisional), Puerto Rico (provisional), South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia.
The Saint Leo University Master of Social Work program meets the education requirements for master level social work licensure in the following states: Florida, Georgia, Virginia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Texas, Mississippi, Illinois, Tennessee, Maryland, and New Jersey.
Saint Leo University cannot confirm, at this time, whether the BSW and MSW programs meet the requirements for professional licensure in any other state. If you intend to pursue such credentialing in your state or elsewhere, we advise you to contact the applicable state credentialing authority to familiarize yourself with its specific requirements and determine if our programs meet its eligibility criteria. Please click the relevant state links below to verify the requirements of applicable licensure board(s) in order to determine whether these programs meet licensure requirements of a specific state.
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Social Work Professional Board of Licensure |
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Wyoming |
Applicable to the following program: Bachelor of Arts, Human Services
While professional certification is not required to practice in the human services profession, at this time, the Saint Leo University Bachelor of Arts in Human Services program meets the education requirements for CSHSE (www.cshse.org/) on a national level, and meets the requirements for taking the HS-BCP (Human Services Board Certified Professional Examination) which is a national professional certification in all states. The program in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and Virginia meets the standards of performance and practice as set by the CHSHE organization.
Saint Leo University cannot confirm, at this time, whether this particular program meets the requirements for professional certification in any other state. If you intend to pursue such credentialing in your state or elsewhere, we advise you to contact the applicable state credentialing authority to familiarize yourself with its specific requirements and determine if our program meets its eligibility criteria. Please click on the links below for additional Human Services licensure information.
Council for Standards in Human Service Education (CSHSE)
The National Organization for Human Services (NOHS)
What is Human Services?
Human Services-Board Certified Practitioner (HS-BC
For more information about the process of certification through reciprocity, explore the Council for Standards in Human Service Education (CSHSE) website or contact the Council for Standards in Human Service Education (CSHSE) at 571-257-3959 or email info@cshse.org.
Applicable to the following programs: Bachelor of Arts, Accounting; Master of Accounting.
The completion of our Bachelor of Arts in Accounting major provides the necessary coursework to sit for the CPA exam in the State of Florida. Additionally, our Master of Accounting program provides the additional 30 semester credit hours needed for licensure. However, the State of Florida has the final say on whether or not the applicant’s course completions fulfill the Accounting and Business Education program requirements. CPA Board staff determines eligibility by conducting an official evaluation which includes submitting an application, transcripts, and other required documents and paying the required fee.
Saint Leo University cannot confirm, at this time, whether this particular program meets the requirements for professional licensure in any other state. If you intend to pursue such credentialing in your state or elsewhere, we advise you to contact the applicable state credentialing authority to familiarize yourself with its specific requirements and determine if our program meets its eligibility criteria.
For National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) contact information for each state, please click on the relevant state link from the site below:
https://nasba.org/stateboards/
GI Bill® School Feedback Tool
The GI Bill® School Feedback Tool can be accessed at www.benefits.va.gov/GIBILL/Feedback.asp.
If you have an issue or complaint about a school or training facility that’s eligible to receive GI Bill benefits, you can submit feedback to the Department of Veteran Affairs. You may submit a complaint if your school or employer is failing to follow the Principles of Excellence guidelines or if you have any other concerns or issues you’d like to raise.
Mississippi GI Bill Beneficiaries
The Mississippi State Approving Agency (SAA), is the approving authority of education and training programs for Mississippi. Our office investigates complaints of GI Bill beneficiaries. While most complaints should initially follow the school grievance policy, if the situation cannot be resolved at the school, the beneficiary should contact our office via email at saa@msva.ms.gov.
Virginia GI Bill Beneficiaries
The Virginia State Approving Agency (SAA) is the approving authority of education and training programs for Virginia. This office investigates the complaints of GI Bill beneficiaries. While most complaints should initially follow the school grievance policy, if the situation cannot be resolved at the school, the beneficiary should contact the office via email saa@dvs.virginia.gov.
Teach-Out Plan Requirements by Accrediting Agency
Saint Leo University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award the associate, bachelor's, masters, specialist, and doctoral degrees. SACSCOC requires a written plan developed by an institution that provides for the equitable treatment of students if an institution, or an institutional location that provides 50% or more of at least one program, ceases to operate before all students have completed their program of study, and may include, if required by the institution's accrediting agency, a teachout agreement between institutions. This applies to the closure of an institution, a site, or a program. Teach-out plans must be approved by SACSCOC in advance of implementation.