Procedures for Out-of-State Students

Logo: National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements

State Authorization

Washtenaw Community College participates in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA), which is an agreement among states that establishes national standards for the interstate offering of postsecondary distance-education courses and programs. Through SARA, WCC may provide distance education to residents of any other SARA member state without seeking authorization from each SARA member state. All states other than California participate in SARA (as an accredited public institution, WCC is exempt from approval by the California Bureau of Private Postsecondary Education).

Online Classes Grievance Procedure for Out-of-State Students

WCC is committed to resolving concerns and complaints in a timely, fair, and amicable manner. If you reside outside of Michigan while taking a WCC online class and are unable to resolve any issue by contacting the Dean of Students, you may contact the appropriate office in your state. That information is provided in the following List of State Offices. For additional assistance, you may contact our accrediting agency, the Higher Learning Commission.

The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity is the agency designated to review complaints against institutions of higher education providing distance education. Complaints concerning WCC’s distance education activities regulated by Michigan's Higher Education Authorization and Distance Education Reciprocal Exchange Act (2015 PA45) may be directed to the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, P.O. Box 30726, Lansing, MI 48909 or by reviewing instructions and completing the Postsecondary Schools Statement of Complaint available on the State SARA Website.

Professional Licensure Disclosure

Federal regulations require Washtenaw Community College to publicly disclose, for each educational program designed to meet the educational requirements for a specific professional license or certification required for employment in an occupation (or advertised as meeting those requirements), information about whether program completion would meet those requirements in a state. These public disclosure requirements apply to all programs, regardless of their modality (on campus, online, and/or hybrid).

The following programs at Washtenaw Community College may meet educational requirements for professional licensure, certification, or endorsements necessary for employment in the designated field of study within the state of Michigan. Please refer to the attached Professional Licensure Disclosure document for details.

Washtenaw Community College has not made a determination whether all programs meet state education requirements of professional licensure or certification outside the state of Michigan. There may be additional educational or other requirements from professional licensing or certification agencies outside the state of Michigan. Research is being conducted to obtain professional licensure and certification information for these programs outside the state of Michigan.

All current and prospective students are encouraged to contact the applicable professional licensure/certification board in their respective states prior to enrollment for additional information regarding professional licensure or certification requirements, including educational and/or additional requirements. Keep in mind that such requirements are subject to change.

If you have questions about professional licensure or certification requirements or require assistance, please contact the Executive Vice President of Instruction and Academic Affairs  at 734-973-3348.

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