Distance Learning (DL) Course Approval Process

A. Seeking Consultation with DL Faculty

A faculty member interested in developing a course utilizing DL technology is strongly encouraged to seek consultation with the Faculty Head of the New Media Design Team (extension 3374 or 5886). The Faculty Head will provide assistance and refer the faculty member to:

1. Two or more faculty who are on the roster of DL advisors, and
2. The staff of the New Media Design Team (NMDT).

These DL advisors and NMDT staff serve as sources of information and suggestions, as well as sounding boards, during the development of the proposal. Following consultation, the Faculty Head of the NMDT will provide a memo, describing the feasibility of proposed DL strategies, to the faculty member.

B. Obtaining Approval of the Proposed DL Course

The faculty member prepares course approval materials, designates the course proposal for distance learning and provides:

1. Method of DL (videoconference, e-mail, etc).
2. References and/or supporting justification.
3. Experience of the proposer with this method of offering the course.
4. Samples of course materials prepared for the method proposed.
5. NMDT Faculty Head memo, referred to in A. above, if consulted.

The faculty member obtains approval from the originating department and other approvals as appropriate.

1. Once approved, the course may be presented by that DL method, regardless of the instructor involved.
2. If faculty members in the department request that a course be presented by a different DL method (web-based instead of video conferencing, for instance), the new method of offering the course must again be approved by the DEC Course Approval Process.
3. If the DEC course is a new course, it continues through the University course approval process. If it is an existing course, departmental approval is sufficient.

C. The department chairperson has the responsibility to notify the Associate Provost for Academic Administration that the DEC designation has been approved.