State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement

Northwestern College participates in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) through its approval by the Iowa College Student Aid Commission. SARA is an agreement among member states that establishes comparable national standards for interstate offering of postsecondary distance education courses and programs. The agreement allows the college to offer online courses and programs, supervised field experiences, student teaching, and most clinical placements to students who reside in states that also participate in SARA.

Online programs that lead to licensure or certification in Iowa may not meet requirements in another state for similar licensure. If you do not reside in Iowa, please contact online@nwciowa.edu so we may determine whether our program meets the requirements for professional licensure in your state.

Northwestern College is committed to fair and just treatment of all students regardless of their state of residence. Online students residing in Iowa or a SARA member state who have a complaint with the college should first attempt to resolve their grievance directly with the college through its Title IX Grievance Procedure or Academic Appeals process. If an online student residing outside Iowa is unsatisfied with the resolution, the grievance may be filed with the Iowa College Student Aid Commission.