About Contact Careers News
Mississippi Commission on College Accreditation
Frequently Asked Questions

What are the eligibility requirements for in-state postsecondary education institutions?
  • Degree-granting institution of higher education from any sector of postsecondary education (proprietary, public, private)
  • Institution's main campus or central unit is legally in Mississippi and approved or licensed to operate in Mississippi
  • Accredited as a degree granting institution by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education whose scope of recognition includes distance education
  • If not a public institution, have a financial responsibility composite score from the U.S. Department of Education of 1.5 or above.
Is participation in SARA voluntary?
  • Yes, participation in SARA is voluntary for the state and for colleges and universities. However, in order for colleges and universities to participate, the state must remain a member.
Can a college still charge out-of-state fees to students from SARA member states?
  • SARA does not become involved regarding the tuition and fees assessed to out-of-state students by member institutions. All institutions, whether participating in SARA or not, are responsible for providing accurate information about tuition, fees, and financial aid.
Is there a fee to participate in SARA?
  • Yes. MCCA will reassess fees periodically. Full payment of the fee is required prior to MCCA review of the SARA application.
  • Fee schedule for Mississippi in-state institutions to participate in SARA, effective July 1, 2023:
    • $2,000 per year for institutions with fewer than 2,500 FTE students
    • $4,000 per year for institutions between 2,500-9,999 FTE students
    • $6,000 per year for institutions with 10,000 or more FTE students
  • The National Council-State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) assesses an annual fee for participation in SARA. This annual fee is based on an institution's total full-time equivalent (FTE) enrollment as shown in the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). For more information about NC-SARA's participation fees, go to Participation Fees | NC-SARA.
  • Additional fees are listed below.
    • In-State Fees—Mississippi Institutions Only
      Description Fees
      Site Visits Travel + expenses
      Timely/Delinquent Fee
      Failure to Submit Materials or Fees
      $25-$2,500
What type of data are institutions required to provide to NC-SARA?
  • An annual report of out-of-state learning placements and a report of the number of students enrolled in the institution via distance education delivered outside Mississippi. This data will be reported one month following the due date for institutions to make their fall enrollment reports to the federal government's Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). NC-SARA will provide each SARA institution a data-reporting manual and a data usage agreement to be signed by responsible parties of the SARA institution and NC-SARA. NC-SARA on its website will report those enrollments, by institution. Institutions participating in SARA will also be required to disaggregate enrollment data by broad program of study.
  • NC-SARA will not collect individually identifiable student data and will comply with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
What type of data are states required to provide to NC-SARA?
  • MCCA will submit quarterly reports to NC-SARA regarding the number and disposition of formal complaints that are not resolved at the institutional level.
Is authorization needed for clinicals/practica/field experiences in Mississippi?
  • SARA institutions should adhere to SARA policies, and if a SARA participating institution will have placements in the State, submit a written request for a notification of location form to srobinson@mississippi.edu.
    Non-SARA institutions will need authorization for clinicals/practica/field experiences. Please submit a written request for an application to srobinson@mississippi.edu. Out-of-state institutions must make Mississippi residents aware before enrollment into their program(s) of the accreditation status of the program and whether the program(s) meet licensure, certification, practice, or other requirements of Mississippi State boards if/as applicable.
    Nursing clinicals (SARA and Non-SARA institutions) must contact the IHL Nursing Education Director at mtemple@mississippi.edu.
Will out-of-state institutions (not participating in SARA), require Commission approval to offer exclusively online programs/courses?
  • Yes, Commission approval is required.
Is there a fee schedule for out-of-state institutions?
  • Yes, the fee schedule is listed below.
  • Out-of-State Fees
    Description Fees
    Information Packet $100
    Application $3,000
    Initial/Annual Renewal Application (exclusively online programs and those with a presence in Mississippi) Mirror NC-SARA Fee Schedule
    Site Visits Travel + expenses
    Change of location, change in scope; or additional $250
    New Course, Program, or Degree $250
    Changing Legal Status, Form of Control, Ownership; Merger $250
    Probation Requiring Oversight, Up to $1000
    Timely/Delinquent Fee
    Failure to Submit Materials or Fees
    $25-$2,500
    Copying/Mailing (per page) $0.15
    Nursing Clinicals Contact IHL Director of Nursing Education