About
State Regulatory Authority
State Regulatory
Authorizations
Northwest Nazarene University believes in the transformation of lives through quality educational programs regardless of their mode of delivery (face-to-face, online or in a blended format). Many states have prescribed an “authorization” process for out-of-state institutions delivering online programs to their state residents. Authorization indicates that the institution has met certain minimum standards under the laws and regulations of that state. Authorization does not constitute an endorsement of any institution, course or degree program.
In furtherance of this mission, NNU became a member of the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) in 2015. SARA membership entails both assurance of program quality and consumer protection standards. For more information on SARA, please see the NC-SARA website.
NNU has been accredited since 1931 and currently holds institutional accreditation through the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). Many programs at NNU also hold professional/specialized accreditation. These regional and specialized accreditations attest to issues of institutional quality and high educational standards, and they are often critical in securing authorization and licensure in other states. Please reference NNU Accreditation and Affiliations page for more information.
Professional Licensure
Students who are seeking an NNU degree that leads to licensure or certification (nursing, teaching, social work, etc.) should be aware that state licensing agencies often set their own regulations which may differ from those of the state of Idaho. In fields leading to professional licensure, we recommend students check with the licensing agency in their home state prior to enrolling in a program of study to determine what regulations, if any, apply to education programs in their state. To help students with these questions we have developed specific Professional Licensure resource pages for each NNU program that leads to licensure.
Student Location and Relocation
In order to be in compliance with commitments that NNU has made by joining NC-SARA, it is necessary for NNU to maintain accurate records of a student’s permanent home address. Accounting for “Student Location” and “Relocation” are both key factors in determining NNU’s compliance with State Authorization regulations and Professional Licensure Disclosure requirements. NNU’s initial “Student Location identification is completed through the admissions process. Within the admissions process, students identify their physical location by providing their mailing address.
A continuing student can identify a change in their permanent address (“Relocation”) by confirming or updating their mailing addresses during each enrollment confirmation cycle. Students can also update this address on an as-needed basis through NNU’s student portal.
Prospective or current students who plan to relocate while enrolled in an online program or a program leading to licensure should discuss their plans with their program advisors to assess any potential impact on their course of study. Students who relocate to a state or country in which their respective program is not currently authorized may experience a delay in their studies or may not be able to complete the program in which they initially enrolled. It is the student’s responsibility to seek guidance from the program prior to relocation. If your program of study leads to professional licensure, then it is recommended that you seek guidance from the appropriate licensing agency in your new state or country.
Student Grievance Process
Northwest Nazarene University is committed to resolving student concerns and complaints in a fair and expedited manner. Students who have a complaint are asked to follow the Student Grievance Process. Often these issues can be resolved by contacting the course faculty member.
If a student is not satisfied with the outcome of the institutional grievance process, the student may appeal to the Office of the State Board of Education. If the complaint involves a claim of a deceptive or unfair business practice, please contact the Office of the Idaho Attorney General. SARA students may file an appeal with either the institution’s home state or the student’s home state. For a complete listing of state contacts, please see the NC-SARA website.
Student Consumer Information
Beyond NNU’s participation in NC-SARA, the University is committed to fulfilling several consumer protection reporting requirements. You can find these on our Consumer Information page.