State Authorization of Distance Education Outside of California

Please be aware of the following information if you will not reside in California while enrolled in distance education courses at Santa Barbara City College:

Santa Barbara City College delivers a growing number of online education courses and programs which have been approved by the California Community College Chancellor's Office. If you are or will be enrolled in a program delivered completely online, please contact the program’s academic advisor.

Due in part to the increased popularity of distance education, many states have prescribed an “authorization” process for out-of-state institutions delivering online programs to its state residents. States are attempting through these processes to ensure quality post-secondary education, to preserve the integrity of an academic degree and to instill greater consumer protection for their student citizens.

Authorization (sometimes referred to as “registration,” “licensure,” “approval,” etc.) indicates that certain minimum standards have been met by the institution under the laws and regulations of that state. Authorization does not constitute an endorsement of any institution, course or degree program. Credits earned at an institution do not necessarily transfer to all other institutions.

Santa Barbara City College has taken steps to protect its students and operations nationwide. The institution is working on obtaining granted authorizations, exemptions and waivers from many states. In other states, Santa Barbara City College can operate without such authorization because the state’s laws do not pertain to a public institution, to an accredited institution, or to the college’s activities in that state. 

Santa Barbara City College is currently working on filing for authorization to operate in several states. As of Fall 2024, we do not yet have a list of approved states. 

If you are currently not residing in California, we suggest that you do not to enroll in distance education classes at Santa Barbara City College.

Questions about Santa Barbara City College’s authorization status?

Santa Barbara City College is accredited by ACCJC/WASC and complies with all applicable California Education Codes. Santa Barbara City College is physically located at 721 Cliff Drive, Santa Barbara, California, 93109 and is legally authorized to operate in the state of California.

Complaints about a Santa Barbara City College Online Course?

If you are a student who wishes to complain about a Santa Barbara City College course delivered via distance education, please consider contacting your instructor. If you are unable to resolve your complaint through the instructor, please contact the department chair. If you are unable to resolve your complaint through the department chair, please contact the dean of the department. If you are unable to resolve your complaint through the dean, please contact the Assistant Superintendent/Vice President of Academic Affairs. If you are unable to resolve your complaint at any of these levels, please consider contacting the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges/Western Association of Schools and Colleges at 10 Commercial Boulevard, Suite 204, Novato, CA 94949, telephone number (415) 506-0234, e-mail accjc@accjc.org.

Thank you.