State Authorization & Professional Licensure
Compliance at the Mount
State Authorization & Professional Licensure
State Authorization
Federal and State regulations require that all institutions obtain the necessary authorizations and/or approvals from a state in order to conduct what are called “educational activities” within the state. Examples of educational activities include, but are not limited to: online courses, field placements such as for-credit internships, practicums, and clinical requirements. Holding such state authorization allows Mount Saint Mary’s University (MSMU) and other institutions to conduct these educational activities outside of our home states. MSMU is physically located in the state of California. Click on the button below to search authorizations/approvals by state or by online degree program. Please contact the Office of the Provost if you have any questions.
Professional Licensure
There are certain careers or fields that require a professional license. Licensure is the act of granting a license to practice a profession (Merriam-Webster, 2018). Licensure requirements to be licensed in a given field may vary by state. MSMU’s professional licensure programs are designed to prepare students for a license in the state of California. For students who wish to practice in a state other than California, you may or may not have additional requirements you must complete prior to applying for your license in your state of choice.
How will I know if the program I’m interested in meets professional licensure requirements in my state?
Licensure requirements vary by state and can often change, so click the button below to see the states for which MSMU meets the educational requirements for the professional licensure program you are interested in. Though there may be states wherein MSMU licensure programs do not meet or has not yet determined whether educational requirements meet, we are committed to (1) helping students explore available options in their academic plan in order to meet requirements in a different state and (2) guiding current students through the licensure requirements of other states. Therefore, we recommend prospective and current students to speak directly with a program advisor for additional information.
Which states am I able to take online course(s) or pursue other educational activities in while enrolled at MSMU?
MSMU is physically located in the state of California. Click on the button below to search authorizations/approvals by state or by online degree program. Contact the Office of the Provost at provostoffice@msmu.edu if you have any questions.
Search Authorization by State
The map below shows:
- The green states indicate where MSMU is currently allowed to offer online courses to students in the state. In each of these states we may either be officially authorized, officially exempt, or not under the state's jurisdiction for authorization.
- The orange states indicate where MSMU is allowed to offer online courses, but there may be some restrictions. Please contact an admissions counselor if you are in one of these states.
- The red states indicate that MSMU is not currently authorized to provide online courses to students in the state and is, therefore, not currently accepting students into any online programs from these states.
Map Legend
Allowed to offer all online courses / programs
Allowed to offer online courses / programs with some restrictions
MSMU has not yet received authorization to offer any online courses / programs
Professional Licensure
Professional Licensure Program Information
Frequently Asked Questions
What is state authorization?
State authorization allows institutions to conduct certain educational activities outside their home state (for MSMU outside of California). Each state has unique authorization requirements, so MSMU must review each state's laws and rules to ensure that the university is in compliance. A U.S. Department of Education rule also require institutions to show proof of authorization in each state that requires authorization in order to participate in federal student financial aid programs.
Why does it matter?
In order to offer education opportunities to students outside California, Mount Saint Mary's University must comply with state and federal laws. Federal law requires an institution to be authorized where required in order for the institution to participate in federal financial aid programs. Authorization regulations protect a student from investing in a program that is not legitimate or from a program that does not meet the professional license or certification requirements in a state the student was expecting.
