Distance Learning and Experiential Learning Requirements

Accreditation

The Master of Science in Nursing Program, and the Doctor of Nursing Practice Program at the University of Connecticut School of Nursing are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (ccneaccreditation.org).

The University of Connecticut is licensed as an institution of higher learning by the State of Connecticut Office Higher Education is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). NECHE is an accreditation agency recognized by the United States Department of Education.

State Authorization

UConn participates in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA). As such, UConn is authorized to deliver distance learning to students in all SARA states including the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. UConn has permission from the California (non-SARA state) regulators to deliver distance learning to students residing in California. UConn is currently not authorized to deliver distance learning to students residing in Guam, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands.

UConn Professional Licensure Information

U.S. Department of Education regulations require disclosures to students enrolled in, or considering programs leading to professional licensure/certification, regardless of whether the program is offered on-campus or online.

These disclosures fall into two categories:

  • The program curriculum meets educational requirements for licensure in your state.
  • The program curriculum does not meet educational requirements for licensure in your state.

Please see Program by State Look-Up for disclosure category.

 

State Enrollment and Placement Requirements

Nursing governance boards and various state agencies may set requirements for online or distance-based clinical graduate programs that lead to licensure in their state. Please note that these requirements apply if you are a prospective online or distance-based clinical MS nursing student needing to complete an APRN clinical practicum. If you are a non-clinical graduate student, state requirements may still apply to your application to the University of Connecticut School of Nursing. See the table below for the status in specific states and territories. Please note that this information is subject to change as state regulations are updated.

State/Territory Can UConn SON accept applications from and enroll students located in this state/territory?
Alabama No
Alaska No
Arizona NNP only
Arkansas Yes
California No
Colorado No
Connecticut Yes
Delaware Yes
Florida Yes
Georgia No
Hawaii Yes
Idaho No
Illinois Yes
Indiana Yes
Iowa Yes
Kansas Yes
Kentucky Yes
Louisiana No
Maine Yes
Maryland Yes
Massachusetts Yes
Michigan Yes
Minnesota Yes
Mississippi No
Missouri Yes
Montana Yes
Nebraska No
Nevada Yes
New Hampshire Yes
New Jersey No
New Mexico Yes
New York Can accept applications and enroll students in all tracks, but cannot place AGACNP or FNP students in clinical experiences
North Carolina Yes
North Dakota No
Ohio Yes
Oklahoma Yes
Oregon Yes
Pennsylvania Yes
Puerto Rico No
Rhode Island Yes
South Carolina No
South Dakota Yes
Tennessee No
Texas Yes
Utah NNP only
Vermont Yes
Virginia Yes
Washington AGACNP, NNP, DNP only
Washington, D.C. NNP only
West Virginia Yes
Wisconsin Yes
Wyoming Yes

 

Clinical Site Requirements

The state authorization disclosures made on this webpage have been made for informational purposes and do not supersede existing policies and procedures at the School of Nursing and the Office of Clinical Placement Coordination pertaining to student enrollment or clinical placements. As set forth in the Master’s Student Handbook, MS students, including those who live outside of Connecticut, may be required to attend a clinical site in a state other than their resident state and/or to travel depending on the availability of suitable sites. MS students residing outside of Connecticut should also be aware that in very rare instances, in order to finish the clinical requirements of a degree, students may be required to relocate to Connecticut to finish their clinical course rotations.

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Student Complaints

As a member of the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) the University of Connecticut is required to provide an opportunity to voice concerns or lodge complaints. To learn more, please visit the University of Connecticut’s State Authorization page.