New York State Education Department
Office of College and University Evaluation Distance Education

Home l Options for Review

Distance Higher Education
Individual Program Proposal

Addition of the Distance Education Format to a Registered Program

Name of Institution:
CEO or Designee:
Signature:
Date:
The signature of the institutional representative indicates the institution's
commitment to support the proposed distance education program.
Distance Education Contact Person:
Telephone:
Fax:
E-mail:
Program Title:
Program Code:
Degree or Certificate Awarded:
HEGIS Code:
Anticipated enrollment in distance program:
Initial:
 Maximum by year 3:
Term length (in weeks) for the distance program:
 
(Is this the same as term length for classroom program?) Yes No
How much "instructional time" is required per week per credit for a distance course in this program?
(Do not include time spent on activities that would be done outside "class time", such as research, writing assignments, or chat rooms.)
 

RESPONSE TO OPERATIONAL CRITERIA

State briefly how the distance program meets each of these criteria.

  1. ORGANIZATIONAL COMMITMENT
    1. The distance learning program shows evidence of careful planning, including identification of the need for the distance access, the nature and size of the intended audiences, and the provisions for serving those audiences.
    2. The institution has committed sufficient resources to the distance learning program and its support services to ensure their effectiveness.
    3. The faculty for the distance program receive adequate training and support to develop and teach courses including the pedagogical and communication strategies to function effectively.
    4. If the program uses courses or academic support services from another provider, it has an adequate process in place (with faculty participation) for evaluating their quality, academic rigor, and suitability for the award of college credit and a degree or certificate.
    5. The institution has a clear policy on ownership of course materials developed for its distance education courses; this policy is shared with all faculty and staff involved in the program.
       
  2. LEARNING DESIGN
    1. The same academic standards and requirements are applied to the program on campus and through distance learning.
    2. The courses that make up the distance learning program are offered in a sequence or configuration that allows timely completion of requirements.
    3. The technology and technological tools used in the program are appropriate for the content and intended learning outcomes.
    4. The program provides for appropriate and flexible interaction between faculty and students and among students.
    5. In the development of distance courses and programs, faculty have the assistance of individuals with knowledge of distance education instructional design and pedagogy.
    6. The distance learning program includes adequate verfication of learners' work.
       
  3. LEARNER SUPPORT
    1. 1. The program provides distance students with clear information on:
      • Admission requirements
      • Program completion requirements
      • The nature of the learning experience
      • Any specific student background, knowledge, or technical skills needed
      • Expectations of student participation and learning
      • The nature of interaction in the courses.
      • Any technical equipment or software required or recommended.
    2. The program provides distance learners adequate academic and administrative support, including academic advisement, technical support, library and information services, and other student support services normally available on campus. Program materials clearly define how students obtain these support services.
    3. Administrative processes such as admissions and registration are readily accessible to distance students, and program materials clearly describe how access is obtained.
    4. The institution provides orientation opportunities and resources for students of distance learning.
       
  4. OUTCOMES AND ASSESSMENT
    1. Distance learning programs are expected to produce the same learning outcomes as comparable classroom-based programs. These learning outcomes are clearly identified -- in terms of knowledge, skills, or credentials -- in course and program materials.
    2. The means chosen for assessing student learning are appropriate to the content, learning design, technologies, and characteristics of the learners.
       
  5. PROGRAM EVALUATION
    1. There is a process in place to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the distance learning program on a regular basis.
    2. The evaluation results will be used for continuous program improvement.
    3. The program evaluation will assure that the program results in learning outcomes appropriate to the rigor and breadth of the college degree or certificate awarded.

 

Rev. 3/31/04