Des Moines University (DMU) receives degree-granting authority from the State of Iowa, in conjunction with institutional and programmatic accreditors. DMU is approved by the Iowa College Student Aid Commission to participate in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (https://www.nc-sara.org/). NC-SARA is a voluntary, regional approach to state oversight of postsecondary distance education. As a participating institution, DMU is authorized to enroll residents from other NC-SARA states in its online degree programs and allow enrolled students to complete a portion of their program, such as internships and clinical rotations, within another NC-SARA state.
DMU attempts to work directly with states that do not participate in NC-SARA to secure any required approvals to enable residents of those states to enroll in DMU’s online degree programs and to allow DMU students to complete internships or clinical rotations in those states. While DMU endeavors to comply with the requirements established in each state, various state conditions and fees may prohibit DMU from achieving authorization in every state.
DMU’s authorization status and various state requirements may change over time affecting DMU’s ability to allow out of state students to enroll in its online programs and students to select internships or clinical rotation sites in certain states. Consequently, DMU cannot guarantee that students will be allowed to select internships or clinical rotations in every state. Admissions staff and program and clinical affairs coordinators can answer questions for students about any potential limitations.
Students enrolled in online programs who move to a state where DMU is not authorized to deliver distance education may be unable to complete the degree program. Prospective students residing outside of Iowa who are interested in enrolling in DMU’s Master of Public Health or Master of Health Care Administration programs are encouraged to contact Admissions with any questions or concerns about potential limitations.
Questions and Complaints
Prospective students are encouraged to ask about DMU’s ability to allow distance learning activities in their state before enrolling in any program. Questions can be directed to dmuadmit@dmu.edu.
All students may contact the Iowa College Student Aid Commission with questions about the University at:
Iowa College Student Aid Commission
Online Student Complaint Form
1-877-272-4456
DMU desires to work with students internally to address complaints. However, if an issue cannot be resolved internally, student grievance contact information for accreditors and individual states is available on the DMU website.