Cleveland State University has been approved by the Ohio Department of Higher Education to participate in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) initiative. Participation in SARA provides the University with reciprocity to offer online/distance learning programs to residents of other SARA states (49 states, with the exception of California). Additional information regarding SARA can be found on the NC-SARA website.

Cleveland State University is permitted to operate in all 50 states. The terms of SARA permits CSU to operate in 49 states with the exception of California. Currently, California is the only state not to join SARA. However, California has granted state institutions exempt status.

For information relating to the grievance policy, please refer to Cleveland State University's Student Grievance Procedure.

If a student from a SARA state (all states except California) is not satisfied with the resolution of their student grievance, they may appeal the resolution to the Ohio Department of Higher Education. This appeal is not available for grade disputes or student code of conduct violations, criminal miscontduct, violations of federal law, or complaints filed more than two years after the incident.

The state of California is now accepting complaints from residents regarding public and non-profit institutions through the state's Department of Consumer Affairs.

For students residing in California

California Department of Consumer Affairs
Consumer Information Center
1625 North Market Blvd., Suite N-112
Sacramento, California 95834
Telephone: (833) 942-1120
Email: dca@dca.ca.gov

Students may also:

• Print form: https://www.dca.ca.gov/consumers/complaints/compl-ccru.pdf
• Online form: https://www.dca.ca.gov/webapplications/apps/complaint/index.shtml

Students may enroll in academic programs to earn a degree that prepares them for a specific field such as nursing, education, or social work. States and other government entities have established standards of practice for these and other types of occupations and regulations they have chosen to regulate and they provide legal permission to practice these professions only to individuals who meet the standards through professional licensure.

Academic degrees and programs offered by Cleveland State University that lead to specific professional licensure or certification, whether delivered online or face-to-face, satisfy the academic requirements for those credentials set forth by the State of Ohio. Requirements for professional licensure or certification vary from one profession to another and from state to state. See program specific information below. 

For students who wish to practice in a state other than Ohio, the program director/advisor will provide information on whether a CSU program meets the requirements in that state after application to a program that leads to professional licensure.

Online JD/Law

Online ABSN

Online MSN

Online MSN-Nurse Practitioner (Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner)

Online MSW

Online Communication Sciences and Disorders

The Bachelor of Social Work prepares students for licensure as a social worker. Students from California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, and New Hampshire will not be accepted into the program, as the BSW program does not meet those state requirements for licensure. Students from all other states may apply, but enrollment in Cleveland State University’s online programs does not guarantee licensure. Each state has rules and regulations related to professional licensure requirements, which can change at any time at the state’s discretion. The student is responsible for staying up to date on state licensure requirements.

Cleveland State University has reviewed the educational program requirements for licensure as a social worker. For each state, Cleveland State University has either: determined the Bachelor of Social Work curriculum meets the educational requirements for licensure or certification, determined the Bachelor of Social Work curriculum does not meet the educational requirements for licensure or certification, or has not made a determination that the Bachelor of Social Work curriculum meets the educational requirements for licensure or certification. These determinations are provided below.

Cleveland State University's education programs that lead to licensure and/or endorsements meet the requirements of the state of Ohio only. Students who are seeking licensure or endorsement in other states should note that each state is responsible for establishing licensure requirements, which vary from state to state and can change at any time.

Interstate Agreement on Qualifications of Educational Personnel

The following states have signed an interstate agreement with the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC). This agreement does not guarantee full reciprocity but makes it possible for an educator who completed an approved program and/or who holds a certificate or license in one state or jurisdiction to earn a certificate or license in another state or jurisdiction.

Receiving states may impose certain requirements which must be met in a reasonable amount of time. Some states may require additional coursework, assessments, or classroom experience before the educator can receive a full professional license or certificate in the new state.

Source: National Association of State Directions of Teacher Education and Certification (retrieved 11-29-23)

*State is not listed as a NASDTEC agreement signee but does have steps towards reciprocity on their licensure website.

Coursework towards the Real Estate and Property Management certificate is designed to prepare students to be eligible to take the Ohio Real Estate Licensure exam and/or pursue professional designations such as the Certified Apartment Management (CAM) or Certified Property Manager (CPM). Students from other states may apply, but these courses satisfy only Ohio requirements.