Professional Licensure Disclosures
ACCREDITATION STATEMENT
Thomas More University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, a regional accreditation body recognized by the US Department of Education. For more information, visit the Thomas More University Accreditation website.
STATE AUTHORIZATION
Kentucky is a member of the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (NC-SARA or SARA). Thomas More University is approved by the Commonwealth of Kentucky to offer distance education programs to students in other SARA member states. These include 49 states as well as the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The non-SARA states and territories are California, American Samoa, Guam, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Northern Mariana Islands, and Palau. NC-SARA membership neither recognizes nor supports reciprocity for state licensing educational requirements. As a result, licensing requirements in Kentucky may not be recognized as sufficient to obtain a license in any other state.
PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE GENERAL DISCLOSURE
All institutions that participate in Title IV federal programs are required to provide a general disclosure to prospective and enrolled students of professional licensure programs. This policy is in accordance with federal code amendment 34 CFR–PART §668.1176b. Institutional information which is effective as of October 28, 2021, and the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (NC-SARA) rules listed in the NC-SARA Manual 21.1.
Thomas More University is a member of NC-SARA. States join SARA and agree to follow their processes. Institutions within these states who are approved to become members also follow policies to help protect students who are enrolled in online programs, online courses, hybrid courses, face-to-face courses, professional licensure programs, and internships.
Students from outside the Commonwealth of Kentucky, who are considering a program of study that may lead to professional license, should contact the appropriate licensing agency in their state of residence before beginning a course of study. Please note, Thomas More University has made no determination for any state or territory other than the state of Kentucky.
Before a student makes a financial commitment to a professional licensure program, the student will receive a Direct Disclosure document based on their current location. The student must sign the disclosure as confirmation of receipt of the document.
NC-SARA Terminology definitions can be found at the following link:
NC-SARA Manual 21.1.
EDUCATION (BA, MAT)
The School of Education at Thomas More University is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). The Bachelor of Arts programs in Elementary, Middle School, and Secondary Education, and the Master of Arts in Teaching meet the educational requirements for teacher certification in Kentucky. There are additional certification requirements to obtain teacher certification that all students must meet. Graduates who apply for licensure may need to satisfy other requirements, such as completing an application, paying a fee, additional coursework, and passing associated state licensure exams. The Education Department will work with individuals who wish to be licensed for teaching in other states but cannot guarantee that the University is able to provide all requirements.
NURSING (BSN)
Thomas More University School of Nursing’s baccalaureate program in nursing is approved by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). Licensure in the United States is regulated by individual regulatory bodies known as State Boards of Nursing. These state boards join in an independent organization known as the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) to act together on areas of common interest including the development of the nursing licensure examinations. Individual state boards of nursing determine requirements for those practicing nursing within their states. The components of the licensure process include verification of graduation from an approved pre-licensure RN program and verification of successful completion of the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nursing (NCLEX-RN). The Bachelor of Science in Nursing program meets the educational requirements in preparation for the NCLEX licensure exam and are then eligible to apply for an RN in the state of their choice. There are additional requirements to obtain an RN license in Kentucky that all students must satisfy. States vary on required additional requirements, training, and documentation.
Professional Licensure Boards and Programs by State
Effective: October 29, 2021