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Private Postsecondary

Higher Education Coordinating Commission > Institutions & Programs > Private Postsecondary > Distance Education

Distance Education

Approved Distance Education Opportunities in Oregon

Oregon-based Institutions and Programs

Many learners find the flexibility of online or distance education works best to meet their goals.

Many of Oregon’s seven public universities and 17 community colleges are leaders in distance education offerings.

In addition, many of the state’s authorized private degree-granting Oregon institutions ​also offer approved distance education coursework and programs.

Students and families are encouraged to explore the websites of Oregon public and authorized private institutions to learn more about program options.

Out-of-state Institutions and Programs

The Higher Education Coordinating Commission authorizes out-of-state programs and institutions to offer distance education in Oregon by two means:

Direct Authorization or Exemption by the HECC Office of Degree Authorization (ODA)
or
​Authorization to operate in Oregon under the Stat​e Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (NC-SARA) 

  • The State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement is an agreement among member states, districts, and territories that establishes comparable national standards for interstate offering of postsecondary distance education courses and programs. It is intended to make it easier for students to take online courses offered by postsecondary institutions based in another state. SARA is overseen by a National Council and administered by four regional education compacts. The school's accrediting body must have distance education within its scope as determined by the U.S. Department of Education. Any face to face instruction taking place in an Oregon location offered by a non-Oregon institution would require direct authorization by the HECC Office of Degree Authorization. 
  • The HECC is the state portal agency to participate in SARA, and a list of Oregon institutions approved by the HECC for SARA is available here​. 
  • For a compressive listing of all NC-SARA authorized institutions and member states across the nation, including those offered in Oregon, please visit the national SARA website here​.

SARA Applications
Any Oregon public, private independent, or for-profit degree-granting institution is eligible to join SARA, provided that its main campus or central unit is legally domiciled in the State of Oregon and that it is accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
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