Federal and State Authorization

Gallaudet University is a member of the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (NC-SARA). This voluntary agreement among states and U.S. territories establishes comparable 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. As of 2023, 49 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands are members; California is currently the only state not yet part of SARA.
As an institutional member of NC-SARA, Gallaudet is authorized to deliver online programs in other NC-SARA member states. Gallaudet is exempt from seeking specific authorization from California.

Federal Authorization:

Compliance and Authorization

Federal authorization and compliance Gallaudet University is authorized by the Education of the Deaf Act of 1986 (EDA), as amended, is a federally chartered, private, nonprofit educational institution providing elementary, secondary, undergraduate, and continuing education programs for persons who are deaf. The Education of the Deaf Act (EDA) states Gallaudet will provide an annual report to the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education and to committees of Congress. Gallaudet also reports annual performance indicators per the requirement of the U.S. Department of Education, under the Government Performance and Results Act of 1993.

https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?path=/prelim@title20/chapter55&edition=prelim
https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osers/gallaudet.html

State Authorization

State authorization through D.C.’s Higher Education Licensing Commission
The Higher Education Licensure Commission (HELC) ensures that quality postsecondary education and training exist in the District of Columbia. The HELC’s mission directly relates to its established purpose, which is to provide for the protection, education, and welfare of the citizens of the District of Columbia and its students enrolled in postsecondary training and education.

https://helc.osse.dc.gov/Transactional/vPage/Transcripts/108/91188/InstitutionName=gallaudet~
CourseOffering=

State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement.

State authorization for online education and out-of-state activity through the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA)
Recognizing the growing demand for distance education opportunities, higher education stakeholders – including state regulators and education leaders, accreditors, the U.S. Department of Education, and institutions – joined together in 2013 to establish the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA), which streamline regulations around distance education programs.

https://nc-sara.org/directory