Distance Learning Students: Registration and Filing of Complaints or Grievances
Registration of Distance Programs
SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University’s degree and certificate programs delivered through distance education are registered with The State University of New York (SUNY) and the New York State Education Department (NYSED).
The State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) is a national initiative to provide more access to online courses while maintaining compliance standards with state regulatory agencies. SARA is a voluntary agreement among its members states that allows institutions to provide online courses outside of their own state borders by seeking and maintaining state approvals via a streamlined process. To learn more about SARA, visit: nc-sara.org. New York State joined SARA on December 9, 2016 and the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) approved institutional participation for SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University.
Students Residing Outside New York State and Taking Distance Education Courses
SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University is a member of the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA). As a participating institution, SUNY Downstate can enroll residents of other SARA participating states in its distance education courses and programs. This policy only applies to students taking distance learning courses from outside of New York State.
Programs Leading to Professional Licensure
SARA does not affect state professional licensing requirements. Please note that certain programs leading to professional licensure may be subject to additional state professional licensing requirements, which are not covered by SARA. Students and prospective students are encouraged to consult with their own state and/or professional licensing body to ensure that any courses taken or degrees/certificates earned in an online program at SUNY Downstate will be accepted in their home state.
SUNY Downstate Students Participating in Out-of-State Field Experiences or Learning Placements
As a participant in and member of SARA, SUNY Downstate registered students who are participating in an authorized supervised field experience or a learning placement outside of New York State are considered distance education students for purposes of SARA. SUNY Downstate is a member of SARA and students who participate in out-of-state experiences may participate in those experiences and will receive credit for those experiences that are successfully completed through their course registration at SUNY Downstate. (SARA Policy Manual, version 24.2, Section 5.2 - "Programs leading to professional licensure", N3)
Complaint Resolution Procedures
See Policy & Procedure on Student Complaints
Federal regulations require institutions delivering distance education courses to provide students and prospective students with contact information for filing complaints with (1) the state approval or licensing entity in the institution's home state and (2) any other relevant state official or agency that would appropriately handle a student complaint.
SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University is a member of the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) and follows the complaint resolution policies and procedures outlined within the SARA Policy Manual and summarized here. Consumer protection complaints resulting from distance education courses, activities, and operations may be submitted to SUNY Downstate for investigation and resolution, as described here. If a student is dissatisfied with the campus-based resolution, a concern may be submitted to System Administration of the State University of New York as outlined here. And, if still not satisfied, a complaint may be submitted, within two years of the incident about which the complaint is made, to the New York State Education Department as outlined here. (Please note, this process does not include complaints related to grades or student conduct violations, both of which are to be fully addressed via campus processes, not through the NC-SARA complaint resolution procedures. See applicable annual Student Handbook in the Student Policies section.)
Approved by: Council of Deans
Last Adopted/Updated: April 2025