DISTANCE EDUCATION
Effective: August 15, 2024
Purpose: To define and outline the requirements for distance education programs.
Scope: This policy applies to all University distance education programs.
Responsible Office: Academic Affairs
Policy Statement: The administration of online, hybrid, and distance programs (course curriculum, course schedule, class size cap, faculty assignment, and student learning assessment) resides within the school or college that offers the degree to ensure compliance with the applicable University policies, accrediting bodies, and third-party agencies.
Faculty who teach online, hybrid, and distance programs meet the same qualifications as faculty who teach traditional courses at the University and have the same faculty rights and responsibilities as faculty who teach in traditional courses.
The University will provide technological and pedagogical support adequate for delivery of the distance education courses and programs. Faculty shall use the University’s learning management system for delivery of online courses and programs with an online component. In addition, faculty may utilize relevant supplemental technology as long as it is accessible to students.
Assessment practices for online and hybrid courses, as well as for the program as a whole, should be consistent with the assessment practices for face-to-face courses and programs.
Definitions: All words and phrases shall be interpreted utilizing their plain meanings unless otherwise defined in another University or Board of Regents policy or by statute or regulation.
Asynchronous Interaction - Occurs when students and faculty are not required to be online at the same time.
Distance Education Program – A distance education program, according to the Kansas Board of Regents’ Policy Manual, is a program in which fifty percent (50%) or more of the program is delivered via distance education courses, where “faculty and students are physically separated in place or time and in which two-thirds (2/3) or more of the instruction is provided via some form of mediated delivery system.”
Hybrid Courses - Those courses where a portion of the course learning activities have been moved online; traditional face-to-face instruction is reduced but not eliminated. The “hybrid” course model is also referred to as “blended.”
Online Course and Programs – Web-based courses and programs that are supported by a learning management system (LMS) where instruction occurs through either asynchronous or synchronous interaction.
Synchronous Interaction - Occurs when students and faculty are required to be present simultaneously using computer or video-based communication media.
Procedures: All procedures linked and related to the policies above shall have the full force and effect of policy if said procedures have first been properly approved by the University’s administrator in charge of Academic Affairs.
[Academic Affairs procedures - coming soon]
Related Policy Information: [Kansas Board of Regents Policy Manual, Chapter III, Section A(8)(iv) & (v)]