Out-of-State Learning Placements

What are out-of-state learning placements (OOSLPs)? 

Out-of-state learning placements refer to educational activities where students from one state participate in learning experiences, such as internships, clinical rotations, or field placements, in another state. Learning placements are on-ground, out-of-state experiential learning activities. Out-of-state learning placements are often a required part of obtaining a degree and/or license to practice a particular profession. 

Benefits of State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements 

Participating in State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA) offers numerous benefits for educational institutions. SARA includes a provision that covers out-of-state learning placements associated with distance education programs. This means that as a SARA participating institution, under specified conditions, BGSU may place a limited number of students in learning placements in other SARA states without securing prior authorization for those placements. 

Notification and Reporting Requirements 

SARA requiresBGSU to report specific information related to out-of-state learning placements on an annual basis. The data must include the numbers of their students engaged in certain experiential learning placements (rotations, internships, student teaching, etc.), disaggregated by state, and the two-digit Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) codes as assigned by the U.S. Department of Education.

Institutions should report OOSLP that meet the following criteria:

1. The placement started between January 1 and December 31 of the given year you are collecting and reporting data for.

2. The placement is outside the home state of the SARA institution.

3. The placement involves the physical presence of the student at the out-of-state location(s).

4. One or more of the following is true: a) The placement is an activity required for degree completion. b) The placement is an activity required for professional licensure. c) The placement is offered for credit. d) The placement is offered for a fee.