Suggested Guidelines for an Approval Process for a Distance Learning Program

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These guidelines are based on current UH Hilo practice with the expectation that future faculty discussion through the standing Distance Learning Advisory Committee will lead to a comprehensive definition of a Distance Learning Program and guidelines for approval.

The approval guidelines are for a UH Hilo Distance Learning Program that is based on an existing approved program.

A degree or graduate program with more than 50% of the major credits offered online or offsite, will be required to submit a WASC substantial change review.

UH Hilo Distance Learning Program Definition

A UH Hilo Distance Learning Program is a degree, certificate, or licensure program offered in distance modalities by a UH Hilo department for which admission requirements are established and to which students must apply and be admitted by the department faculty. The Office of Academic Affairs and the Dean of the College in which the department is housed must recognize the status of these programs.

Faculty Commitment to an Identified Need

Department faculty identify an instructional need and the intent to meet the need by distance modalities. Faculty are the advocates and the designers of the distance program. The program faculty should be prepared to address the following:

Distance Program Overview. State the type of distance education that is being proposed, the geographic scope, the projected number of students, the target student population, the initial date of the offering, and the anticipated life cycle of the distance program. A viable distance program will support at least one group of students through completion of the program.
Distance Program Resources. List the distance courses for a full cycle of the program, with faculty assignments, if available. Consider the impact of the proposed program on faculty workload. Ensure that there are sufficient number of faculty competent in and/or ready for training on distance pedagogy for teaching and learning with technology. The start-up costs for technology equipment, faculty training, and/or faculty overload need to be addressed.
Distance Program Evaluation. The learning outcomes for the distance learning program are the same as the campus learning outcomes. Ensure that timely and appropriate levels of interactions between students and faculty can be maintained in the distance modality..
Distance Program Approval. The faculty endorses and generates the distance program proposal demonstrating faculty commitment. The proposal needs to have approval of the department chair, division chair, the Dean, and the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs. There is a need to provide needed documents to WASC for Substantial Change approval.