Professional Licensure or Certification Disclosure

Professional Licensure or Certification (PLC) Pre-Education Requirements

The licensure boards in each state are responsible for establishing the requirements for licensure/certification for their state.

Buena Vista University’s academic programs have been designed to meet the licensure/certification requirements in Iowa and to prepare students to apply for licensure exams in the State of Iowa. Students who intend to return or move to any state other than Iowa need to review the professional licensure disclosures pertaining to their program and consult with the appropriate state professional licensing board. These boards make the ultimate decision as to whether an individual is eligible to sit for licensure based on the rules and regulations in place at the time the individual submits their application for licensure.

If your career requires professional licensure, your license to practice may have specific state or national requirements.

If you are seeking a license for your field, you may need to reach out to a licensing entity or state agency to receive your credentials. Learn more below about specific state requirements here.

Professional Licensure Information

Pursuant to 34 C.F.R. § 600.9, Buena Vista University is required to disclose consumer information regarding our curricular programs that “foreseeably lead” to careers requiring state licensure. This regulation requires us to determine whether or not our licensure-related programs satisfy the educational requirements for professional licensure in the states where our prospective students are located.

Accordingly, we are required to disclose for each program that leads to licensure whether:
(1) the program meets the educational requirements for professional licensure in a specific state;
(2) the program does not meet the educational requirements for professional licensure in a specific state;

This policy is in accordance with federal code amendment 34 CFR–PART §600.9(c)(2)(ii), effective as of July 1, 2020, and the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (NC-SARA) rules listed in the NC-SARA Manual. 
 
The location of each BVU student for the purpose of providing accurate professional licensure disclosures is determined as follows: 

• The Location Code (field student_master.loc_cde) within BVU’s J1 system will be recorded as each student’s location. 
• BVU defines Student Location as where a student lives while completing their courses.  

Accounting:

Buena Vista University’s Bachelor of Arts in accounting-professional licensure emphasis meets the educational requirements to sit for the CPA exam in the state of Iowa.

For all other states, BVU’s curriculum does not meet the educational requirements for licensure. To determine what is needed for licensing in other states, please contact the licensing board in that state.

More information: National Association of the State Boards of Accountancy

Buena Vista University Contact: Beth Blankers, Professor of Accounting, blankers@bvu.edu

Learn more below about specific state requirements for this program here.

Clinical Mental Health Counseling:

Buena Vista University's Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), which is a requirement for licensure in many states. This program is CACREP-accredited and meets the requirements for Iowa professional licensure under section 31.6(2) of the Bureau of Professional Licensure of the Iowa Board of Behavioral Science. For all other states, BVU’s curriculum does not meet the educational requirements for licensure. To determine what is needed for licensing in other states, please contact the licensing board in that state.

For more information about licensure, students should visit the National Board for Certified Counselors, the American Association of State Counseling Boards, the NC-SARA Professional Licensure Directory, and/or contact the appropriate state licensing body.

Buena Vista University Contact: Dr. Kathleen Ruscitto, Director of Mental Health Counseling Programs/Assistant Professor of Counseling Education, ruscitto@bvu.edu

Learn more below about specific state requirements for this program here.

Education:

The Teacher Education Program at Buena Vista University provides coursework which meets the criteria approved for certification by the State of Iowa Department of Education.

For all other states, BVU’s curriculum does not meet the educational requirements for licensure. To determine what is needed for licensing in other states, please contact the licensing board in that state.

An individual desiring licensure in a state other than Iowa should contact the Department of Education in that state as soon as possible and request certification requirements. By learning early what courses are needed for other states’ certification, individuals can plan to meet those requirements by taking appropriate courses at BVU.

More information: NC-SARA Professional Licensure Directory

Buena Vista University Contact: Angela Hunter, School of Education – Licensure, huntera@bvu.edu

Learn more below about specific state requirements for this program here.

Social Work:

The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredits the Baccalaureate Social Work program at Buena Vista University. Upon graduation with a Bachelor of Arts in social work at BVU, students meet the educational requirements for licensure set by CSWE for all 50 states.

Buena Vista University Contact: Marian Riner, Associate Professor of Social Work, riner@bvu.edu

Learn more below about specific state requirements for this program here.

Professional School Counseling:

Buena Vista University’s master’s in school counseling program is supported and accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and the Iowa Department of Education. Curriculum is designed to meet the educational requirements for Iowa School Counseling licensure and follows the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) model seen in school districts.

For all other states, BVU’s curriculum does not meet the educational requirements for licensure. To determine what is needed for licensing in other states, please contact the licensing board in that state.

More Information: ASCA State Certification Requirements

Buena Vista University Contact: Dr. Renee Fensom, Director of Professional School Counseling, fensom@bvu.edu OR Angela Hunter, School of Education – Licensure, huntera@bvu.edu

Learn more below about specific state requirements for this program here.

Master of Education in Educational Administration:

Buena Vista University’s Educational Administration master’s program provides currently licensed educators with the knowledge, skills, and certification necessary to become a licensed PK-12 school administrator in the state of Iowa. 

For all other states, BVU’s curriculum does not meet the educational requirements for licensure. To determine what is needed for licensing in other states, please contact the licensing board in that state.

Buena Vista University Contact: Dr. Lucas DeWitt, Director of Educational Administration, DeWitt2@bvu.edu OR Angela Hunter, School of Education – Licensure, huntera@bvu.edu 

Learn more below about specific state requirements for this program here.

Master of Arts in Teaching- Secondary Education:

Buena Vista University's Master of Arts in Teaching- Secondary Education program equips individuals who possess a bachelor’s degree with the knowledge, skills, and certification needed to teach middle and high school students in Iowa in a variety of content areas (upon Summer 2023 approval by the Department of Education).

For all other states, BVU’s curriculum does not meet the educational requirements for licensure. To determine what is needed for licensing in other states, please contact the licensing board in that state.

Buena Vista University Contact: Monica Welander, Director of Teacher Education, welanderm@bvu.edu

Learn more below about specific state requirements for this program here.

Master of Arts in Teaching- Special Education:

The online Master of Arts in Teaching- Special Education program equips individuals who possess a bachelor’s degree with the knowledge, skills, and certification necessary to effectively teach students with unique needs in Iowa.

For all other states, BVU’s curriculum does not meet the educational requirements for licensure. To determine what is needed for licensing in other states, please contact the licensing board in that state.

Buena Vista University Contact: Monica Welander, Director of Teacher Education, welanderm@bvu.edu

Learn more below about specific state requirements for this program here.

More Information

In addition, be advised that state laws, regulations, and policies may change at any time. Changes in requirements can impact the program’s ability to meet educational requirements for licensure. It is the responsibility of the student completing the licensure program to check with the licensing board(s) in their state of residence or in the state in which they intend to obtain a license for the most recent information and requirements. Buena Vista University shall not be held liable if the student is unable to qualify for licensure or certification in any jurisdiction or cannot obtain a practicum/internship location.

General Disclosures- BVU is required to provide a list of all states where it has been determined that its curriculum does or does not meet the state educational requirements for licensure and certification. This information will be reviewed and updated annually; however, requirements are subject to change. All prospective and current students are responsible for contacting the appropriate agency or board in their jurisdiction to confirm licensing requirements and program compatibility prior to enrolling in an academic program.

Professional Licensure Direct Disclosures- Buena Vista University is required to provide direct disclosures to prospective students prior to enrollment if the institution determines that a programs curriculum does not meet the educational requirements for licensure in the student’s location. An email or other direct electronic communication will be sent directly to the student with such notification.

Buena Vista University is required to provide disclosures to students who are currently enrolled if it determines that a program no longer meets the educational requirements for licensure in the student’s jurisdiction. These disclosures must occur within 14 days of making this determination, which may occur because:
• The jurisdictions' requirements have changed; or
• The program's curriculum has changed; or
• The student's location has changed.

Student Location Policy

This policy is in accordance with federal code amendment 34 CFR–PART §600.9(c)(2)(ii), effective as of July 1, 2020, and the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (NC-SARA) rules listed in the NC-SARA Manual.

The location of each BVU student for the purpose of providing accurate professional licensure disclosures is determined as follows: 

• The Location Code (field student_master.loc_cde) within BVU’s J1 system will be recorded as each student’s location. 
• BVU defines Student Location as where a student lives while completing their courses.  

Definitions

• National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement: SARA is an agreement among member states, districts and territories that establishes comparable national standards for interstate distance education. When states join SARA, they agree to follow uniform processes for approving their eligible institutions’ participation. SARA’s policies help protect students and provide benefits to both states and institutions carrying out distance education in multiple states.

• Time of Enrollment: The time of enrollment for each Buena Vista University student is defined as follows:

  • A student is declared enrolled when a student moves into BVU’s residential halls with the intent to begin classes, or on the first day of class for the term at 6am, whichever is earlier.