State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement

LECOM has been approved to participate in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA). SARA is a voluntary, regional approach to state oversight of postsecondary distance education. As a SARA-approved institution, LECOM is authorized to offer online courses in each state that is part of the agreement without having to get approval from each state individually.

LECOM out-of-state distance learning students residing in a SARA state may file a complaint with the Pennsylvania SARA portal agency, the Pennsylvania Department of Education, or with a state agency in the state in which they reside.

All State Contacts for Student Complaints:

The State Higher Education Executive Officers (SHEEO) provides individual state contact information available at the SHEEO State Authorization Survey: Student Complaint Information by State and Agency.

National SARA Information:
Map of SARA states
SARA complaint process
SARA FAQs about complaints

Pennsylvania SARA information:
State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement