State Authorization

Institutions must obtain approval from states for local and distance postsecondary educational activities relevant to the delivery of educational programs. Activities include all learning delivery modes, including but not limited to non-classroom experiences, faculty members who live outside of North Carolina, proctoring, professional licensure, and marketing. Compliance with individual state requirements is now part of the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008, Amended 2018. H 600.9 (c).

Martin Community College (MCC) has been approved to participate in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements. NC-SARA is a voluntary regional approach to state oversight of postsecondary distance education.

Contact information for the SARA North Carolina Liaison

Terrence R. Scarborough, M.P.A.
Director of SARA North Carolina
NCSEAA
P.O. Box 41349
Raleigh, NC 27629
Phone: (919) 248-4667
Email: terrence@saranc.org
Website: SARA NC

In Which States is Martin Community College Authorized to Offer Programs/Courses?

MCC is authorized to serve students in the following states, districts and territories.

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States, Districts and Territories
Alabama	Alaska	Arizona	Arkansas	Colorado	Connecticut	Delaware	District of Columbia	Florida	Georgia
Hawaii	Idaho	Illinois	Indiana	Iowa	Kansas	Kentucky	Louisiana	Maine	Maryland
Massachusetts	Michigan	Minnesota	Mississippi	Missouri	Montana	Nebraska	Nevada	New Hampshire	New Jersey
New Mexico	New York	North Carolina	North Dakota	Ohio	Oklahoma	Oregon	Pennsylvania	Puerto Rico	Rhode Island
South Carolina	South Dakota	Tennessee	Texas	Utah	Vermont	Virginia	Washington	West Virginia	Wisconsin
Wyoming

Student Location Determination Policy(specific to State Authorization only)

MCC is required to consistently use the same policies and procedures to determine the state in which a student is located for all students in order to determine if authorization from a state must be secured. MCC must, upon request, provide the Secretary with written documentation of its determination of a student’s location and the basis for such a determination. MCC makes the determination of a student’s location at the time of initial enrollment and upon formal receipt from the student of information about a change in that student’s location. Note: Determination of location for state authorization purposes is NOT the same as residency determination for payment of out‐of‐state tuition and fees.

MCC reserves the right to refuse admission to any applicant who is not a resident of North Carolina who seeks to enroll in any program or course if the applicant’s location is determined to be in a state where the college is not authorized to provide educational services.

Is Martin Community College accredited?

Yes, Martin Community College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, 1866 Southern Ln, Decatur, GA 30033, (404) 679‐4500, to award associate degrees, diplomas, and certificates.

• Martin Community College Institutional Status with SACSCOC
• Link to the SACSCOC Website - www.sacscoc.org

What if I need help resolving a student complaint?

MCC Grievance Procedure

If you have a student complaint, you should attempt to resolve the student complaint through the MCC Grievance Procedure.

In the event that the student complaint cannot be resolved within the department, students should submit a signed MCC Student Grievance Form to the attention of the Chief Academic Officer:

Dr. Tabitha Miller
Chief Academic Officer
1161 Kehukee Park Road
Williamston, North Carolina 27892-8307
Email: TabithaMiller
Phone: (252) 789-0244

North Carolina Post-Secondary Education Student Complaints

If the above student complaint process is not satisfactory, students may contact their state approval or licensing entity in the student’s state of residency established to handle student complaints.

In North Carolina, the student complaint contact is the UNC‐System Office.

Please review the Student Complaint Policy (PDF), and submit their complaint using the online complaint form at Post-Secondary Education Complaints.

North Carolina Post‐Secondary Education Complaints
c/o Student Complaints
223 S. West Street, Suite 1800
Raleigh, NC 27603
Phone: (919) 962-4550
Email: studentcomplaint@northcarolina.edu
Website: North Carolina Post-Secondary Education Complaints

Contact information for other states: State Contact for Complaint Resolution

SACSCOC Complaint Process

If your student complaint is still not resolved to your satisfaction, you can reach out to Martin Community College’s accrediting agency. Martin Community College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award the Associate in Arts Degree (A.A.), the Associate in Science Degree (A.S.), the Associate in General Education (A.G.E.), and the Associate in Applied Science Degree (A.A.S.).

When filing a complaint to SACSCOC, please follow the guidelines listed in the "Procedures for Filing a Complaint Against an Institution" (PDF) of the SACSCOC Complaint Procedure.

SARA Student Complaint Process

If a student complaint cannot be resolved through MCC’s student complaint procedures, students may file a student complaint through SARA-NC, which is the portal for North Carolina. Students should use the SARA-NC Complaint Process and use the SARA-NC Complaint Form (PD). Links are listed below:

Contact information for the SARA North Carolina Director that handles student complaints

What about licensure and certification programs offered by Martin Community College?

Martin Community College (MCC) has been approved to participate in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (NC-SARA). However, NC-SARA does not deal with professional licensing board approval for any courses or programs leading to professional licensure.

MCC has not made a determination if all curriculum meets the state educational requirements for its programs that lead to licensure outside of North Carolina at this time. Please reference the Professional Licensure Program Disclosure Checklist section of the State Authorization webpage to access current determinations.

If you are considering a program at MCC that leads to professional licensure or certification and you do not live in North Carolina or plan to practice in another state, please contact the program director that corresponds to your desired program prior to enrolling into the course or degree program.

Although we strive to connect you with the best information possible, Martin Community College cannot confirm whether a program meets requirements for professional licensure and/or certification outside of the State of North Carolina.

Students seeking to complete licensure or certification programs with Martin Community College and planning to move to another state are encouraged to contact that specific state licensure board to confirm how to obtain a license or certification in that state.

NC-SARA Professional Licensure Directory (provides contact information for Counseling, Nursing, Psychology, Social Work, and Teacher Education programs, which lead to a professional license)

North Carolina Business and Occupational License Database

Professional Licensure Program Disclosure Checklist

Students may view the disclosure for each program or certificate to know which state Martin Community College curriculum:

• meets state educational requirements for licensure or certification,
• does not meet state educational requirements for licensure or certification, or
• has not made a determination whether the program curriculum meets, or does not meet, state educational requirements for licensure or certification.

Expandable sections list Professional Licensure Program Disclosure Checklists by Division or Program and links to licensure information by state.