Federal Regulations regarding out-of-state students

Federal Regulations regarding participation in an online program by out-of-state students.

• State Authorization

Ok...got it.   I'll talk to my team about adding something like that, but for your info it's a federal requirement under [https:/​/​www.ecfr.gov/​current/​title-34/​section-600.9]Title 34 CFR 600.9   Specifically it is covered by 600.9(c)(1)(i):

If an institution that meets the requirements under paragraph (a)(1) or (b) of this section offers postsecondary education through distance education or correspondence courses to students located in a State in which the institution is not physically located or in which the institution is otherwise subject to that State's jurisdiction as determined by that State, except as provided in paragraph (c)(1)(ii) of this section, the institution must meet any of that State's requirements for it to be legally offering postsecondary distance education or correspondence courses in that State. The institution must, upon request, document the State's approval to the Secretary.

From: Rosenthal Dieken, Jane <jane.rosenthal@csun.edu>

Sent: Tuesday, January 13, 2026 4:17 PM

To: Gainsburg, Julie <julie.gainsburg@csun.edu>

Subject: Re: Out-of-State Policy

You are correct - online programs outside of Tseng are currently not covered.  We have to do specific applications to each state for each program for which we are requesting authorization, and none of the programs outside of Tseng have gone through this.   Each state board asks for a lot of information, including all syllabi, teacher bios, site agreements (where applicable), etc, and of course payment is part of that too. We don't really have anything in place to manage this in state-supported programs as of now.  On the application to the Tseng programs this is something we ask about and have students attest to the state they will reside in for the program, which I don't think the Cal State Apply applications do.

We could add a special note about the education online programs to the website if you think that would be helpful (like we have for MSW and CDS).  It might help make things more clear and transparent.  I guess we have a similar situation with Spanish and Chicano studies, as well as the new nursing program, which is part of why Joyce and I have been pushing for more clarity and guidance from the Provost's Office as well as talking to EPC and GSC about CSUN's approach to online programs more generally.  We actually support having state-funded online programs, but worry about what could be very challenging legal issues with things like state authorizations, fees, etc. as well as logistics like marketing/recruitment and quality of online instruction.  It's a complicated thing, of which state authorizations is just a part.

Do you think it would be helpful to add a note about education programs to the website?  I could run it by our executive team here of what they think would be appropriate wording. Up until now I thought that programs were informing students that California only for online programs.  But has this come up with a prospective applicant?

Jane Rosenthal Dieken, EdD

Assistant Dean of Program Development 

& WASC Compliance Coordinator and Assessment Lead for Tseng College

The Tseng College of Graduate, International, and Midcareer Education

California State University, Northridge

18111 Nordhoff Street

Northridge, CA 91330

(818) 677-6764 (office)

(818) 677-6408 (fax)