UMFK is a member of NC SARA, the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements. NC SARA oversees reciprocity agreements which facilitate UMFK student participation in distance education, and in on-site experiences outside the state of Maine, such as clinical placements, internships, etc. Students should visit https://www.nc-sara.org/ for information on reciprocity agreements with the state in which they plan to complete a placement.
The University of Maine at Fort Kent cannot confirm that its courses or degree programs meet the requirements for professional licensure outside of the State of Maine. The University of Maine at Fort Kent strongly encourages prospective and current students to contact the appropriate or applicable licensing board(s) in states in which they may wish to pursue licensure, prior to beginning any program of study.
Consistent with new federal requirements, UMFK is participating in a University of Maine System mechanism for disclosing to students whether our professional licensure-related courses and degree programs meet the requirements for professional licensure outside of Maine, in the states where students reside. Please visit https://www.maine.edu/licensure/ for information.
State laws require permission for out-of-state students to participate in on-site educational experiences. With the exception of California, all states are covered under the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement. Students seeking to complete an internship/externship/practicum/field/clinical experience in California must first obtain state authorization. Such authorization is managed through the University of Maine System.
UMFK must petition California’s state Department of Education to request a waiver for each student participating in an out-of-state internship/externship/practicum/field experience/etc. in California. Please email lesliek@maine.edu to obtain the required form for forwarding to the UMS state authorization staff person. NOTE: prior authorization can take 8-12 weeks. Plan ahead.
Students with complaints about a distance education experience should first follow UMFK’s Student Complaints Process. Distance education-related complaints regarding academic matters (e.g., grades) should follow the Academic Appeals Policy. Distance education-related complaints regarding administrative matters (e.g., accuracy of information regarding licensure) should follow the Administrative Appeals Policy.
After following UMFK’s student complaint process, students may seek further action through the following Maine Department of Education process:
State of Maine Complaint Form. This form should be used by any current student or former student enrolled in an online degree program who seeks to file a complaint against a degree-granting institution approved to operate under the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA).