Distance & Correspondence Education Policy

C.R., C.S, or Federal Req.

Mission

If an institution offers significant distance and correspondence education, it should be reflected in the institution’s mission.

2.4 The institution has a clearly defined, comprehensive, and published mission statement that is specific to the institution and appropriate for higher education.
The mission addresses teaching and learning and, where applicable, research and public service.

Curriculum and Instruction

The faculty assumes primary responsibility for and exercises oversight of distance and correspondence education, ensuring both the rigor of programs and the quality of instruction.

3.4.10 The institution places primary responsibility for the content, quality, and effectiveness of the curriculum with its faculty.

The technology used is appropriate to the nature and objectives of the programs and courses and expectations concerning the use of such technology are clearly communicated to students.

3.4.12 The institution’s use of technology enhances student learning and is appropriate for meeting the objectives of its programs. Students have access to and training in the use of technology.

Distance and correspondence education policies are clear concerning ownership of materials, faculty compensation, copyright issues, and the use of revenue derived from the creation and production of software, telecourses, or other media products.

3.2.14   Intellectual property rightsThe institution’s policies are clear concerning ownership of materials, compensation, copyright issues, and the use of revenue derived from the creation and production of all intellectual property. These policies apply to students, faculty, and staff.

Academic support services are appropriate and specifically related to distance and correspondence education.

2.10   Student Support Services
The institution provides student support programs, services, and activities consistent with its mission that are intended to promote student learning and enhance the development of its students.

3.4.9   The institution provides appropriate academic support services.

Program length is appropriate for each of the institution’s educational programs, including those offered through distance education and correspondence education.

2.7.1 The institution offers one or more degree programs based on at least 60 semester credit hours or the equivalent at the associate level; … If an institution uses a unit other than semester credit hours, it provides an explanation for the equivalency. The institution also provides a justification for all degrees that include fewer than the required number of semester credit hours or its equivalent unit.

4.4 Program length is appropriate for each of the institution’s educational programs.

For all degree programs offered through distance or correspondence education, the programs embody a coherent course of study that is compatible with the institution’s mission and is based upon fields of study appropriate to higher education.

2.7.2   The institution offers degree programs that embody a coherent course of study that is compatible with its stated mission and is based upon fields of study appropriate to higher education.

4.2  The institution’s curriculum is directly related and appropriate to the mission and goals of the institution and the diplomas, certificates, or degrees awarded.

For all courses offered through distance or correspondence education, the institution employs sound and acceptable practices for determining the amount and level of credit awarded and justifies the use of a unit other than semester credit hours by explaining it equivalency.

3.4.6  The institution employs sound and acceptable practices for determining the amount and level of credit awarded for courses, regardless of format or mode of delivery.

2.7.1  The institution offers one or more degree programs based on at least 60 semester credit hours or the equivalent at the associate level;… If an institution uses a unit other than semester credit hours, it provides an explanation for the equivalency. The institution also provides a justification for all degrees that include fewer than the required number of semester credit hours or its equivalent unit.

4.9  The institution has policies and procedures for determining the credit hours awarded for courses and programs that conform to commonly accepted practices in higher education and to Commission policy.

An institution entering into consortial arrangements or contractual agreements for the delivery of courses/programs or services offered by distance or correspondence education is an active participant in ensuring the effectiveness and quality of the courses/programs offered by all of the participants.

3.4.6 The institution employs sound and acceptable practices for determining the amount and level of credit awarded for courses, regardless of format or mode of delivery.

2.7.4 The institution provides instruction for all course work required for at least one degree program at each level at which it awards degrees. If the institution does not provide instruction for all such course work and (1) makes arrangements for some instruction to be provided by other accredited institutions or entities through contracts or consortia;… …the institution demonstrates that it controls all aspects of its educational program.

Faculty

An institution offering distance or correspondence learning courses/programs ensures that there is a sufficient number of faculty qualified to develop, design, and teach the courses/programs.

2.8 The number of full-time faculty members is adequate to support the mission of the institution and to ensure the quality and integrity of each of its academic programs.

The institution has clear criteria for the evaluation of faculty teaching distance education courses and programs.

3.7.2 The institution regularly evaluates the effectiveness of each faculty member in accord with published criteria, regardless of contractual or tenured status.

Faculty who teach in distance and correspondence education programs and courses receive appropriate training.

3.7.3 The institution provides ongoing professional development of faculty as teachers, scholars, and practitioners.

Institutional Effectiveness

Comparability of distance and correspondence education programs to campus-based programs and courses are ensured by the evaluation of educational effectiveness, including assessments of student learning outcomes, student retention, and student satisfaction.

3.3.1

The institution identifies expected outcomes, assesses the extent to which it achieves these outcomes, and provides evidence of improvement based on analysis of the results in each of the following areas:
3.3.1.1  educational programs, to include student learning outcomes
3.3.1.3 academic and student support services

The institution regularly assesses the effectiveness of its provision of library/learning resources and student support services for distance or correspondence education students.

3.3.1 The institution identifies expected outcomes, assesses the extent to which it achieves these outcomes, and provides evidence of improvement based on analysis of the results in each of the following areas:

3.3.1.3 academic and student support services

Library and Learning Resources

Students have access to and can effectively use appropriate library resources.

3.8.2 The institution ensures that users have access to regular and timely instruction in the use of the library and other learning/information resources.

Access is provided to laboratories, facilities, and equipment appropriate to the courses or programs.

3.8.1  The institution provides facilities and learning/information resources that are appropriate to support its teaching, research, and service mission.

Student Services

Students have adequate access to the range of services appropriate to support the programs offered through distance and correspondence education.

2.10 The institution provides student support programs, services, and activities consistent with its mission that are intended to promote student learning and enhance the development of its students.

Students in distance or correspondence programs have an adequate procedure for resolving their complaints, and the institution follows its policies and procedures.

4.5 The institution has adequate procedures for addressing written student complaints and is responsible for demonstrating that it follows those procedures when resolving student complaints.

Advertising, recruiting, and admissions information adequately and accurately represent the programs, requirements, and services available to students.

4.6 Recruitment materials and presentations accurately represent the institution’s practices and policies.

Documented procedures assure that security of personal information is protected in the conduct of assessments and evaluations and in the dissemination of results.

3.9.2  The institution protects the security, confidentiality, and integrity of student records and maintains security measures to protect and back up data.

4.8  An institution that offers distance or correspondence education documents each of the following:
4.8.2has a written procedure for protecting the privacy of students enrolled in distance and correspondence education courses or programs.

Students enrolled in distance education courses are able to use the technology employed, have the equipment necessary to succeed, and are provided assistance in using the technology employed.

3.4.12  The institution’s use of technology enhances student learning and is appropriate for meeting the objectives of its programs. Students have access to and training in the use of technology.

Facilities and Finances

Appropriate equipment and technical expertise required for distance and correspondence education are available.

3.8.1 The institution provides facilities and learning/information resources that are appropriate to support its teaching, research, and service mission.

The institution, in making distance and correspondence education courses/programs a part of its mission, provides adequate funding for faculty, staff, services, and technological infrastructure to support the methodology.

2.11.1 The institution has a sound financial base and demonstrated financial stability to support the mission of the institution and the scope of its programs and services.