On November 2, 2015, the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) approved Mississippi as a member state to participate in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA), effective January 1, 2016. The Mississippi Commission on College Accreditation (MCCA) has been designated the state portal agency for SARA.
What is SARA?
The State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement is an agreement among member states, districts, and U.S. territories that establishes comparable nation-wide standards for interstate offering of postsecondary distance education courses and programs. The reciprocity allows participating Mississippi colleges and universities to offer distance programs and courses to residents of member states without seeking state-by-state approval, and 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 (NC-SARA), and is administered by four regional education compacts.
States and institutions participating in SARA
Eligibility Requirements for Mississippi institutions:
SARA Application Cover Sheet
SARA Application Form
Deadline to submit Initial or Renewal application to MCCA: February 28, April 28, June 28, as applicable.
Fees
Institutions approved to participate in SARA must renew annually by submitting a renewal application to MCCA along with the MCCA fee.
If approved, the institution will also submit a fee to NC-SARA.