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.
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.
Any program that meets the definition for distance education or off-campus must receive OVPAE and WASC approval before enrolling students.
Definition
A distance education program is degree or certificate in which it is possible for students to complete 50% or more of the curriculum via distance modalities (e.g., online delivery). Example: 15 of the required 30 credits can be completed online for the master’s degree.
An off-campus program is one in which students complete 50% or more of the curriculum at a location other than the UH Manoa campus in Honolulu.
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.
Professional Licensure and State Authorization
Approval Process
All new degree and certificate programs, including those offered through distance modalities, are subject to the program approval process. If the program has not yet been approved, this approval process must be followed first.
To receive approval for distance delivery, departments should first obtain Dean support and then contact the Director of Program Development & Review to request the proposal form.
For 100% or near-100% online programs, the unit may be required to consult with and have the program administered by the Outreach College. A budget is typically required for these online programs. (See the Budget Template).
Units submit the proposal template and the budget template (if required) to the OVPAE Director of Program Development & Review.
Resources
- Good Practices for Electronically Delivered Degree and Certificate Programs
- WASC Substantive Change Policy
- WASC Substantive Change Manual
- BOR Policy RP 5.210: Distance Delivery and Off-Campus Instruction
- UH Executive Policy 5.201: Approval of New Academic Programs and Review of Provisional Academic Programs
- UH Executive Policy 5.202: Review of Established Programs
- UH Executive Policy5.204: Distance and Online Learning
- The Mānoa Distance Learning Committee (MDLC)