Global Compliance Handbook: A Roadmap for Managing Global Compliance

Summary –

International distance education and other cross-border global activities can raise a wide range of compliance considerations, often involving requirements that vary by country and by the nature of the activity. Yet institutions may have limited resources or established processes for identifying, researching, and managing these requirements.

The SAN Global Compliance Handbook  provides a practical framework for navigating this complex landscape. Drawing on SAN’s work in compliance management, the Handbook helps institutions develop a more systematic approach to understanding their international activities, identifying relevant requirements, making informed decisions, and building sustainable processes for managing compliance over time.

The Global Compliance Self-Assessment & Maturity Overview can be used alongside the Handbook to help institutions assess their current practices, identify areas of strength and opportunity, and determine where to focus their efforts.

Together, these resources are intended to support more informed conversations and approaches to global compliance across the field.

Contents –

• Part I – Charting the Route: Building Institutional Infrastructure
  • Step 1. Build Awareness and Support for Sustained Global Compliance Management
  • Step 2. Conduct a Structured Internal Review and Build the Institutional Activity Inventory
  • Step 3. Prioritize Countries and Build a Country Review Roadmap
• Part II – Exploring New Terrain: Conducting Country Research and Analysis
  • Step 4. Review U.S. Restrictions and Related Institutional Requirements
  • Step 5. Map the Country Compliance Landscape
  • Step 6. Conduct Country Compliance Research and Develop Findings
  • Step 7. Review Agreements, Partnerships, and Special Circumstances
  • Step 8. Decide Whether to Proceed in the Country
  • Step 9. Implement Country Compliance Requirements and Operational Processes
• Part III – Reaching the Destination: Operationalizing Compliance
  • Step 10. Incorporate Global Compliance into Ongoing Operations and Monitoring
  • Step 11. Build Compliance Documentation and Governance Infrastructure
  • Step 12. Communicate Compliance Status, Expectations, and Changes Across the Institution
  • Step 13. Implement Student-Facing Disclosures and Transparency Requirements
• Conclusion: The Journey Continues
• Appendix 1. Global Compliance Research Task Checklist
• Appendix 2. Country Compliance Implementation Tracker

Details

• Year Published: 2026
• Month Published: September
• Media Type: PDF

Downloadable PDF: [Global Compliance Handbook (PDF)]

Authors:
Kathryn Kerensky, State Authorization Network (SAN)

Russ Poulin, EduPolicy Insights, LLC

Reviewer:
Ryan Faulkner, College of Eastern Idaho

© Copyright 2026 State Authorization Network (SAN) | Publication Number 1D4000825