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University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa

Office of the Vice Provost for Academic Excellence

Distance Delivered & Off-Campus Programs

Distance Delivered & Off-Campus Programs

Distance Delivered & Off-Campus Programs

Distance delivery of courses and programs provides access to quality higher education to students who are unable to enroll in campus-based courses. Distance-learning technologies strengthen and augment good teaching and life-long learning; create new opportunities to investigate learning styles and pedagogy; and provide more flexible and accessible opportunities for student learning. Further, through these modalities, we can create new opportunities for collaboration within and across academic disciplines and between researchers, teachers, instructional support specialists, and learners. 

The Mānoa Distance Learning Committee (MDLC), together with colleges and individual departments, ensures that the institution provides high-quality programs via modern distance technologies. A subcommittee of the MDLC reviews all distance learning proposals to ensure adherence to best practices and compliance with federal, state, and accreditation requirements, and UH policies and procedures. 

All programs provided through distance technology are subject to the same requirements for program review as proscribed by BOR and UH executive policies. This assures that all programs, regardless of the mode of delivery, are periodically reviewed and assessed. The assessment of student learning outcomes is a critical component of the program review process.

Please be advised that WASC substantive change screening and approval is required for all degree and certificate programs, including program modifications that result in 50% or more of the curriculum being delivered off-campus or via distance modalities. 

Distance Delivery Approval Process

All new programs, including those offered through distance modalities, are subject to the program approval process. If the program has not yet been approved, this process must be followed first.

Step 1 – Propose Distance Delivered or Off-Campus Approval

  • 50% or more of the required courses are available through distance modalities, OR
  • 50% or more of the required courses are offered away from the main campus

Departments should obtain Dean support prior to beginning this process. Submit the Step 1 Proposal to OVPAE Director of Program Development & Review.

Steps 2-4 – for Fully Online or Hybrid (80% Online) Program Approvals

Consultation with Outreach College is required for fully online and hybrid program proposals. After consultation on market analysis, capacity analysis, and development planning. MDLC will review design, development and support plans.

Approvals from OVPAE and Outreach College should be obtained prior to Step 4. The form is routed to OVPAE, OVPEM, Provost and UH Online.

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