State Authorization
GHC Online, A Safe Investment In Your Education
The United States government and individual states mandate that institutions offering distance education (online learning) have the approval of each state to provide distance education to residents of that state. To meet these requirements, Georgia Highlands College (GHC) participates in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) and is an approved NC-SARA institution in Georgia. As GHC does not have a “physical presence” in California, which is not a NC-SARA state, we meet the requirements to offer online programs and courses in that state.
While GHC acts in good faith to maintain authorization in all states, the state authorization process is dynamic and subject to change. It is strongly recommended that prospective distance education students contact us to determine whether GHC is authorized to provide post-secondary education in your state.
Professional Licensure
GHC does not offer any programs online which directly lead to professional licensure. The Associate of Science in Dental Hygiene and the Associate of Science in Nursing are traditional programs offered at a GHC instructional site.
A list of the GHC online programs approved the by the University System of Georgia (USG) can be found at either of the following sites:
Contact the GHC School which offers the program you are interested in for guidance on the requirements for professional licensure in your home state. Also, check with the appropriate state licensing board for your home state requirements. Additional information is provided by the NC-SARA Professional Licensure.
Complaint Process for Distance Education Students
Incomplete and Grade Appeals
GHC Student Grievance Policy
Complaint Resolution Offices and Processes for Distance Education Students
Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission
2082 East Exchange Place, Suite 220
Tucker, Georgia 30084-5305
770-414-3300
The U.S. Department of Education’s “Program Integrity” regulations require that each state has a student complaint procedure in order for public and private higher education institutions to be eligible for Title IV funds. GA-SARA is responsible for monitoring all written and signed student complaints against degree granting institutions authorized to operate in Georgia through SARA. The following link details the complaint process: GA-SARA Student Complaint Rules. Any complaints may be submitted using the form located here: GA-SARA Online Student Complaint Form. Please note: Decisions rendered by GA-SARA are final.
