Accreditation and Authorization

SACSCOC

Middle Tennessee State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award baccalaureate, masters, specialist, and doctorate degrees. Middle Tennessee State University also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. MTSU has been accredited since 1928; the  last reaffirmed the University’s accreditation in 2016. The next decennial reaffirmation of accreditation will take place in 2026. 

Questions about the accreditation of Middle Tennessee State University may be directed to this link or by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org). 

NC-SARA (State Authorization)

The National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) is a nonprofit organization that helps expand students’ access to educational opportunities and ensure more efficient, consistent, and effective regulation of distance education programs.  MTSU is a participant under the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) and is authorized to offer online courses and programs to any other SARA state members (www.nc-sara.org/about-nc-sara).   

Out-of-State Students Interested in an Online Degree from Middle Tennessee State University

State and federal laws require colleges and universities to be authorized to offer online degree programs in states other than their own. Below is a list of states in which Middle Tennessee State University is authorized to offer online degrees.  Individuals from states not listed below are unable to enroll in MTSU online programs.

Alabama	Hawaii	Michigan	New York	Tennessee
Alaska	Idaho	Minnesota	North Carolina	Texas
Arizona	Illinois	Mississippi	North Dakota	U.S. Virgin Islands
Arkansas	Indiana	Missouri	Ohio	Utah
Colorado	Iowa	Montana (does not include any programs from the Tech Schools)	Oklahoma	Vermont
Connecticut	Kansas	Nebraska	Oregon	Virginia
Delaware	Kentucky	Nevada	Pennsylvania	Washington
District of Columbia	Louisiana	New Hampshire	Rhode Island	West Virginia
Florida	Maine	New Jersey	South Carolina	Wisconsin
Georgia	Maryland	New Mexico	South Dakota	Wyoming

* Massachusetts is not part of the NCSARA program.

SARA Student Complaints

The following information will assist you in resolving any complaints or concerns you may have about your MTSU academic online program.

• Specific questions about MTSU State Authorization of Online Education can be directed to: 
  • Report an Issue
  • [email protected] 
  • (615) 904 – 8391

• MTSU Complaint Process Concerning Accreditation and Fraud
• TN-SARA Complaint Language
• Institutional Disclosers for Consumers – Student Complaints and Grievances
• Institutional Disclosers for Consumers – General Information
• For concerns that cannot be resolved internally with MTSU, students may file a complaint with the appropriate agency within their current state of residence.
• More information about NC-SARA Student Consumer Protections and the Student Complaint Process can be found in the Students section of the SARA Student Complaints website.

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