National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements
The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) is a member of the National Council of Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA). The State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement is a voluntary agreement among its member states and U.S. territories that establishes comparable national standards for interstate offering of postsecondary distance-education courses and programs. NC-SARA is intended to make it easier for students to take online courses offered by postsecondary institutions based in another state. As a member of NC-SARA, UTMB is authorized to provide distance learning courses to students whose official residence is located in a U.S. State or Territory which is outside the State of Texas.
For a complete listing of member institutions and more information regarding this agreement, please visit the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (NC-SARA) website at nc-sara.org.
Complaint Process for UTMB Students Enrolled in Distance Education and Off-Campus Courses
UTMB is committed to addressing student concerns and complaints. The U.S. Department of Education requires institutions offering distance education to provide enrolled and prospective students the contact information to file complaints with the institution’s accrediting agency and with an appropriate state agency in the student’s home state.
UTMB students with a complaint should first follow the established grievance policy: UTMB Institutional Handbook of Operating Procedures Policy 07.01.13
If the grievance policy does not resolve the problem to the student’s satisfaction, the student may file a complaint with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) by contacting the State Portal Entity.
Please review the NC-SARA's student complaint process information prior to initiating contact.
University of Texas Medical Branch is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award baccalaureate, masters, and doctorate degrees. Questions about UTMB's accreditation may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).