In 2013, higher education stakeholders collaborated to establish SARA, streamlining regulations for distance education programs.
The State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA) is a collaborative agreement among states, districts, and territories of the United States aimed at establishing consistent standards and simplifying regulations, fees, and approvals for institutions that offer distance education. Over 2,400 institutions located in 49 member states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islandsparticipate in SARA voluntarily, including ACHS.
Some of the benefits extended to students because ACHS is a member of SARA are detailed on the SARA website. SARA participating states recognize each other’s standards, which may make admission more accessible to students who wish to attend programs via distance education.