Professional Licensure
Georgia State University has not made a determination that its curriculum meets educational requirements for licensure or certification in all states outside of Georgia.
Background
Georgia State University offers several programs leading to professional licensure within the state of Georgia and is committed to providing accurate information to all students to aid in career planning. States vary in which professions they require to be licensed and how licensure is obtained. Some states require an individual to graduate from an accredited or approved program. Other states may require an individual to complete additional coursework, fieldwork or training, and/or successful completion of a state licensing exam.
State Authorization
Georgia State University is a member of the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (NC-SARA) which allows us to provide distance learning programs (both online and in the form of supervised field experiences) and coursework to residents of states other than Georgia. NC-SARA membership, however, does not grant reciprocity or exempt student from state professional licensing requirements. As a result, licensing requirements in Georgia may not be recognized as sufficient to obtain a license in any other state.
While Georgia State University makes every effort to ensure information about educational requirements for licensure in Georgia is current, it is important to note that licensure regulations are frequently revised. State licensure boards may require applicants to complete professional examinations, background checks, years of professional experience, jurisprudence exams, etc.; these requirements may not be provided by a student’s educational program.
Georgia State University provides the following information for current and prospective students who are interested or enrolled in University programs that may lead to professional licensure. To reiterate, each U.S. state and territory defines its own requirements for licensing and certification in professional fields, and the University is working to confirm whether its programs meet the educational requirement for licensure in states and territories outside Georgia. Additional information will be added to this resource as it becomes available.
Location
Per 34 CFR 668.43(c)(3)(ii), upon Department of Education request, institutions must provide the institutional determination of where the student is located upon request. To achieve this an institution must establish policies or procedures to consistently determine where students are located. Institutions must determine where a student is located both at the time of enrollment in an institution and after receiving information provided by the student indicating that the student’s location has changed.
Georgia State University has determined that the student’s permanent address will be used for the purpose of notification.
Relocation
Relocating to another state during the course of a program even if a student plans to continue a program online, -may impact licensure requirements. Before moving to another state, please contact your program coordinator or college to discuss authorization and licensure eligibility requirements.
International Students
Prior to enrolling in any program at Georgia State University, prospective students living and/or working outside of the United States should confirm with the appropriate certifying agency whether successful completion of any degree program at Georgia State will meet the credentialing requirements of the country in which they intend to seek employment. Students should also confirm that their immigration status can be maintained during any professional experience or time spent preparing for licensure exams, if they would not be enrolled at Georgia State University during these time periods.
Responsibility of Students
Prior to enrolling in any program intended to satisfy a particular state’s (other than Georgia’s) educational requirements for the practice of a particular occupation, students should contact the designated college or their program coordinator (if applicable) to verify the program actually meets the requirements for the state in which he or she intends to practice. Many licensure boards require more than successful degree completion to obtain a license. Please be advised that state laws, regulations, and policies may change at any time. Changes in requirements can impact the program’s ability to meet educational requirements for licensure. It is the responsibility of the student completing the licensure program to check with the licensing board(s) in their state of residence or in the state in which they intend to obtain a license for the most recent information and requirements. Georgia State University shall not be held liable if the student is unable to qualify for licensure or certification in any jurisdiction or cannot obtain a practicum/internship location.
General Contact Information
To be connected to the appropriate program coordinator within your college, or if you are an international student requiring further assistance, please email Mary McLaughlin in the Office of Institutional Effectiveness.
(NC-SARA) provides additional resources for students on their Professional Licensure Resource Page which offers a compiled list of licensing agencies based on five fields representing the vast majority of programs leading to licensure among participating institutions–Counseling, Nursing, Psychology, Social Work, and Teacher Education–as well as a searchable directory for additional areas of study.
These resources are intended to provide general information and do not include regulations or requirements.
If you have questions about an area of professional licensure not covered on this site or require additional clarification about the information published, please contact Mary McLaughlin, Director of Accreditation, Policy and Administrative Assessment.