2023 Profile of a State Authorization Professional: An Analysis of a Growing Field in Higher Education
Published November 2023
The survey and subsequent research were originally developed in 2017 by a Western Governors University (WGU) team and members of the State Authorization Network (SAN). The 2017 report is available for your review. This contemporary survey/research was conducted by the SAN Institutional Engagement - Special Interest Team (SIT):
- Cheryl Carroll, University of Virginia
- Brandie Elliott-Woodall, Missouri Online
- Dorothy Jones, Norfolk State University
- Kathryn Kerensky, SAN
- Anne M. Klingen, University of Mississippi
- Deb Maeder, Bryan College of Health and WGU
- Sherri Melton, Weber State University
- Peggy Simons, Relay Graduate School of Education
- Jana Walser-Smith, Southern New Hampshire University, and SAN
The 2017 Report was written by
- Tyson Heath, Western Governors University
- Liz Carney, Western Governors University
- Trevor Jonsson, Western Governors University
- Various Members of the State Authorization Network
Abstract
This study analyzes occupational data, state authorization general tasks and knowledge, and professional licensure and certification requirements from state authorization professionals in the higher education community across the continental United States and some of its territories. The growing demand for students to access distance education programs across state lines and for institutions to comply with state regulations and separately, federal regulations on the “Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008” have expanded employment expectations and requisites for state authorization professionals nationwide. Thus, the authors created a survey to determine the commonalities and differences of the position. The results showed both shared and variable traits in salary, tasks, position title, department, and professional licensure and certification requirements. As distance education and authorization regulations grow, so will the need for state authorization professionals. The results encourage further research to shape the field as it continues to grow.