Distance Education Policy

Purpose

McNeese State University recognizes the importance of distance education and the role it plays in student success and learning. This policy provides guidelines regarding distance education courses and policies.

Definition

McNeese State University uses the following definition of distance education provided by SACSCOC and Louisiana Board of Regents:

• Distance education – a formal educational process in which the majority of the instruction (interaction between students and instructors and among students) in a course occurs when students and instructors are not in the same physical place. Instruction may be synchronous or asynchronous. A distance education course may use the internet; one-way or two-way transmissions through open broadcast, closed circuit, cable, microwave, broadband lines, fiber optics, satellite, or wireless communication devices; audio conferencing; or other digital media if used as part of the distance education course or program.

McNeese State University defines the following course and program designations as distance education:

• Hybrid (H) – 50-99.9% online
• Online (O) – 100% online

Procedure

All distance education courses and programs at McNeese State University are held to the same academic expectations, regulations, and standards as their traditional counterparts. All students enrolled in distance education course or programs must adhere to the same policies, procedures, handbooks, and requirements as their traditional counterparts as well as any additional distance education policies, procedures, handbooks, and requirements. Training is available to faculty teaching via distance education in the learning management system provided by the Office of E-Learning and Testing.

Comparability of distance education programs to their traditional counterparts is ensured by the evaluation of educational effectiveness, including assessments of student learning outcomes, student retention, and student satisfaction.

Related Policies

Course Delivery Classifications Policy

Course Enrollment Management Policy

Credit Hour Policy

Curriculum and Course Development Policy

Exams or Student Learning Assessment Policy

Information Technology Identity and Access Management Policy

Institutional Planning and Assessment Policy

Communication

This policy is distributed via the University Policies webpage.