State Authorization for Distance Education
The University of Michigan-Flint is an accredited public institution that participates in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA). This combination of factors authorizes UM-Flint to enroll online students from all states and territories in the United States. This also means that otherwise eligible and qualifying students, whether participating in-state or out-of-state, can use federal financial aid to support tuition and fees associated with UM-Flint online degrees and certificates. While programs that lead to professional licensure may be “authorized” in your home state, this does not guarantee that the program will also satisfy prerequisites for becoming licensed in the profession as defined by the applicable state licensing body in your state. The next section provides additional information regarding licensure.
Please also note that there may be consequences with regard to professional licensure eligibility for students who move to other states or territories while completing online programs. For programs leading to professional licensure, students are advised to determine whether their program will satisfy the academic prerequisites for professional licensure in a new state.
If you are looking for information regarding State Authorization for other university campuses, use the links below.
University of Michigan – Main Campus (Ann Arbor)
University of Michigan – Dearborn
Notice of Nondiscrimination
UM-Flint is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, height, weight, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions. The university’s full nondiscrimination policy and contact information for submitting inquiries and complaints concerning discrimination can be obtained here.
Accreditation
UM-Flint is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Complaints concerning broad institutional academic practices, such as those that raise issues regarding the ability to meet accreditation standards, may be filed with the Higher Learning Commission.
Student Location
It is important you inform your program coordinator of your current residence (physical location) during the course of your studies at UM-Flint and of any relocations while enrolled in a program. New regulations require that UM-Flint track all online students as well as all traditional and online programs that have internships or clinicals that may take place out of state.
International Students
Students pursuing online degrees should note that some countries may not formally recognize foreign online degrees, which can have implications for students who later seek to enroll in other educational programs, or for those who seek employment with their home country’s government or other employers requiring specific credentials. Additionally, some countries may or may not require foreign higher education institutions to comply with distance education regulations. UM-Flint does not represent or guarantee that its online degree programs are recognized in or meet requirements to comply with distance education regulations in the student’s country of residence if it is outside the United States. It is therefore the student’s responsibility to understand current circumstances or special requirements surrounding whether this online degree will be recognized in the student’s country of residence, how the collection of student data may be used in said country, and whether the student will be subject to additional withholding taxes in addition to the price of tuition.
Blocked Countries
To comply with U.S. export control regulations, UM-Flint does not currently offer online programs to individuals located in the following countries:
- Iran
- Sudan
- Crimea
- Cuba
- Syria
- North Korea
- Venezuela
*Qualified and otherwise eligible students who are citizens of the above-listed countries and regions but reside elsewhere may be required to attest in a certification statement that they no longer reside in a comprehensively sanctioned country or region as part of the admissions process. Additional admissions requirements may also apply.
**This list is subject to change as sanctions change and are added over time. Therefore, this list may not be fully exhaustive and may contain out-of-date information.
Professional Licensure and Required Experiential Learning Placements. Unless specifically indicated by academic program representatives or informational materials, the University of Michigan-Flint (UMF) does not represent or guarantee that its online degree programs will satisfy professional licensure requirements outside of the United States. (Within the United States, the degree to which the completion of a program satisfies educational requirements for licensure also varies.) Likewise—unless specifically indicated by academic program representatives or informational materials—UMF makes no representation with regard to (i) whether a field experience, clinical rotation, or other experiential learning placements completed in a foreign jurisdiction would satisfy licensure requirements in the United States and (ii) whether an experiential learning placement completed as part of a UMF program, regardless of whether it is completed inside or outside of the United States, would satisfy requirements set by a foreign professional licensure agency operating outside of the United States.
Therefore, students and prospective students should independently research and determine whether completing an online or hybrid program at UMF—including the specific circumstances under which an experiential learning placement would be completed, when applicable—would satisfy educational requirements of the jurisdiction in which they intend to seek licensure.
Restricted Access to Technology, Tools, Content, and Services. Certain foreign governments use firewalls to block or limit access to Internet content, which can impact a student’s ability to access course materials and supporting tools and technologies, including those provided by the University, its partners, and third parties. When available to students, the use of a virtual private network (VPN) may enhance a student’s access. Export controls can further limit UMF’s ability to provide students in foreign jurisdictions with certain downloadable content and programs. The University is committed to working with students who experience access limitations, but as these international restrictions may be beyond the University’s and the student’s control, the University cannot guarantee full and uninterrupted access to its online educational content, technologies, tools, and services in all international jurisdictions. Please review any notices published by the program you are interested in to learn more.
Background Screening for Export Control and Sanctions Compliance. Qualified international applicants who do not currently hold a valid U.S. visa will be subjected to additional background checks through international databases prior to receiving an offer of admission. These screening procedures support the University’s efforts to avoid transacting with persons designated under U.S. sanctions programs.
Data Privacy and Protection. Personal information—whether volunteered, collected through automated processes (e.g., cookies operating on UMF websites), or retrieved from third-parties—will be processed in the United States. For students participating in UMF distance education programs from a European Union (EU) member state, please note that while the United States has not received a finding of “adequacy” under Article 45 of the EU’s Global Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), UMF has invested considerable resources into data privacy initiatives and has established significant safeguards for personal data transfers. Additional information regarding UMF’s data collection, processing, and sharing practices, as well as a description of the rights afforded to EU distance-education students, is available here. Individual programs may provide supplemental disclosures when their practices differ. Financial Aid, Scholarships, and Taxes. U.S. Citizenship or legal permanent residency is a requirement for federal financial aid and FAFSA eligibility. University and advertised external scholarships may not be available to all international students. Students and prospective students are advised to carefully review all eligibility criteria listed for such scholarships carefully. Depending on your location or country of citizenship, you may be required to pay taxes in your location or country of citizenship, in addition to the tuition and fees you will pay to the University of Michigan-Flint. These taxes may result from “purchasing” educational content, receiving scholarships, or from other triggering events relating to your participation in this online program.
Identity Verification
Identity Verification and Statement of Educational Purpose. Like residential students, online students may be asked to complete U-M’s Identity Verification and Statement of Educational Purpose form if required by the program or if selected for verification from the U.S. Department of Education. If required, students who are unable to come to campus and complete this form can instead appear before a Notary Public with appropriate government-issued identification to satisfy these requirements. A Notary can typically be found at a local bank, credit union, insurance agency, shipping store, or law office. Students are responsible for all costs associated with completing this form and providing it to the University. Please find additional details provided on the webpage linked above, and note that individual schools and colleges at the University may require these same (or similar) steps be completed by all incoming students, regardless of whether they are seeking federal student aid.
Two-Factor Authentication. Two-factor (Duo) authentication for Weblogin is required for all U-M students, including those enrolled in online programs, when logging into U-M accounts. Students can choose from a list of several authentication options from Duo to gain access. Some methods for two-factor authentication, such as the Duo Mobile app, Security Keys (e.g., Yubikey), and hardware tokens, may not be used by students located in certain countries or geographic regions due to U.S. export control laws or local restrictions in the country from which you are accessing online programs. Alternative options for gaining access are available for affected students, but may result in additional fees.*
The currently recommended option for international students who, for whatever reason, cannot use the Duo Mobile app is to receive a text message with passcodes. Students will need to enroll a cell phone. A text message will contain a set of 10 passcodes in a single text message that are good when used within 30 days. When used in combination with the “Remember me for 7 days” option (on the Duo login screen), a single text message should enable a student to log in as often as needed for 30 days. See how to get passcodes via text message.
*Standard as well as applicable international text messaging and phone call rates will apply when using a phone for two-factor authentication or to receive a bypass code.
Other Methods of Identity Verification. Individual distance education courses and programs may employ additional identity verification methods beyond what is listed above, such as online proctoring services. When applicable, additional costs associated with such methods will be disclosed at the time of registration or enrollment.
Use of Student Recordings and Material
As part of your participation in online courses or programs at or through UM-Flint, the University will make and use photographic, audio, video, or other recordings (the “Recordings”) of you, your voice, and your likeness. This also may include your personally identifiable information, education records, and use of the online interface. Recordings may include work products and other materials, whether or not copyrighted by you or others, that you make available as part of your participation in online courses or programs at or through the University (the “Materials”).
The Recordings are necessary for your participation in University online degree-granting courses and will be used internally and externally during and after your enrollment for purposes related to instruction, evaluation, classroom participation, conflict resolution and academic integrity, among others. Recordings and Materials may also be shared with University officials and third parties acting on behalf of the University in connection with administration of online courses and programs.
Recordings and Materials that amount to education records protected under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) are subject to U-M’s FERPA policies.
Data Privacy & Protection
Personal information—whether volunteered, collected through automated processes (e.g., cookies operating on UM-Flint websites), or retrieved from third parties—will be processed in the United States. For students participating in UM-Flint distance education programs from a European Union (EU) member state, please note that while the United States has not received a finding of “adequacy” under Article 45 of the EU’s Global Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), UM-Flint has invested considerable resources into data privacy initiatives and has established significant safeguards for personal data transfers. Additional information regarding UM-Flint’s data collection, processing, and sharing practices, as well as a description of the rights afforded to EU distance-education students, is available here. Individual programs may provide supplemental disclosures when their practices differ.
Licensure
To better inform current and prospective students and to comply with federal disclosure requirements, the University of Michigan provides information regarding whether completion of a program that is designed to meet or advertised as meeting educational requirements for licensure would be sufficient to meet such requirements in each U.S. state, territory, and district (collectively, “State”). Please note that educational prerequisites to licensure can vary considerably by state, and determinations may not have been made in all cases. This information will also be disclosed where determinations have not been made.
These notices will generally be found on program descriptions or FAQ pages where applicable. Please contact your department directly if you need assistance locating professional licensure notifications applicable to your current or desired program of study.
Students who reside in Tennessee, Washington, New York, Oregon, or Connecticut should contact Nursing directly before applying to verify eligibility in their state.
You may also locate this information through one of the links provided below. Depending on what determinations have been made with regard to licensure eligibility where individual students or applicants are located, some may receive additional information in the form of direct notifications from their department.
Note that additional, non-educational requirements for professional licensure such as work and examination requirements also vary by State. Students are ultimately responsible for researching, understanding, and satisfying these requirements in the state where they will seek licensure.
Common Licensing Boards
Some of the most common licensing boards are listed below:
State Nursing Boards
State Counseling Boards
State Psychology Boards
State Social Work Boards
State Teacher Education Boards
*Not all schools offer programs leading to professional licensure. Additionally, this list may not be exhaustive or updated. States differ as to which professions are regulated through licensure requirements. Common categories include but are not limited to legal services, social services, architecture, engineering, education, accounting, and healthcare. If you believe your program is designed to meet (or has been advertised as meeting) educational requirements for a specific occupational license. However, if you cannot locate a notice through the links provided, this information may still be available at a different location. Please contact your department directly if you are unable to locate this information.
You are also encouraged to contact the state’s appropriate licensing body with any professional licensure questions. CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, provides a survey tool for locating regulatory bodies associated with licensed professions in each state. In addition, the Council on Licensure, Enforcement, and Regulation (CLEAR) also hosts contact information for many licensing boards categorized by jurisdiction and profession.
Direct Disclosures & Student Location Determination Procedures
Federal Authorization and Professional Licensure Disclosure laws (34 CFR 600.9(c) and 34 CFR 688.43(c)) require the University of Michigan-Flint to determine student location in order to provide students with the appropriate authorization and licensing disclosures. When applicable, individual disclosures will be made using the information provided by the applicant prior to their initial enrollment in the academic program. Initial enrollment occurs when an admitted student registers for their first term courses. If the applicant’s department has not received updated location information prior to sending its pre-enrollment disclosures, the department will use the address provided on a student’s application.To report a change in location after initial disclosures have been sent, students should update their local or permanent address using Wolverine Access. The Office of the Registrar will record any changes that a student makes to their location via their Wolverine Access account. Upon receiving a location-change notification from the Office of the Registrar, the student’s department, School, or College will be responsible for providing updated disclosures to the student, when applicable.
Complaints for Distance Education Students
UM-Flint encourages students and prospective students to address complaints relating to the institution’s policies and consumer protection issues with personnel in the office, department, school, or college where the complaint originated. If further assistance is needed, use the links below.
Undergraduate Student Contacts:
Complaints regarding matters of dispute between undergraduate students and instructors should follow the UM-Flint Student Academic Grievance Procedure of the individual college or school.
Graduate Student Contacts:
Graduate students should consult the Office of the Dean of Graduate Programs.
Military:
Active military service members, veterans, and family members of military service members or veterans may be eligible to submit a complaint for review to the Department of Defense (DoD).
Additional Information:
Please note that student complaints relating to student grades or student misconduct will not be heard by any of the following agencies. Such complaints may be reviewed through the established UM-Flint procedures detailed in the previous section. Allegations of fraud or other criminal misconduct against UM-Flint can always be heard by the attorney general or other designated entities in a student’s home state.
Michigan Residents and SARA-Eligible, Out-of-State Complaints:
Both Michigan residents and students located in a state or territory that has joined the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA), as indicated in the state list provided under “Authorizations and Complaint Processes by State”(marked with an asterisk*), may submit a complaint to Michigan’s Corporations, Securities & Commercial Licensing Bureau (CSCL), which operates within Michigan’s SARA portal entity, the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA). Additional information regarding complaint eligibility can be found in the CSCL complaint form linked above and starting on page 42 of the SARA Policy Manual.
Unresolved Issues:
If your complaint is not resolved to your satisfaction after exhausting UM-Flint’s internal review processes, your complaint may be eligible for external review by one or more agencies. Links for each state are provided in the next section labeled, “Authorizations and Complaint Processes by State”.
Additional Information for Out-of-State Students:
If you do not live in Michigan or in another SARA state, or if the nature of the complaint does not fall within the scope of SARA, you may instead contact the relevant agency in your home state for additional support. This contact information is provided for you in the next section.
Authorizations & Complaint Processes by State
Please choose your state from the list below to be directed to additional state authorization and complaint process information.
*This state/district/territory has joined SARA, please contact our State Authorization Team to find out how to locate the correct agency to contact for complaints.