Academic Regulation
Definitions Related to Distance Education
Effective May 22, 2025
Individual academic programs may be governed by other definitions related to distance education that are required by their accrediting bodies. However, schools and units must follow the university’s definitions for institutional reporting.
Distance Education
(1) Education that uses one or more of the technologies listed in paragraphs (2)(i) through (iv) of this definition to deliver instruction to students who are separated from the instructor or instructors and to support regular and substantive interaction between the students and the instructor or instructors, either synchronously or asynchronously.
(2) The technologies that may be used to offer distance education include—(i) The internet; (ii) One-way and two-way transmissions through open broadcast, closed circuit, cable, microwave, broadband lines, fiber optics, satellite, or wireless communications devices; (iii) Audio conference; or (iv) Other media used in a course in conjunction with any of the technologies listed in paragraphs (2)(i) through (iii) of this definition.
(3) For purposes of this definition, an instructor is an individual responsible for delivering course content and who meets the qualifications for instruction established by an institution's accrediting agency.
(4) For purposes of this definition, substantive interaction is engaging students in teaching, learning, and assessment, consistent with the content under discussion, and also includes at least two of the following—(i) Providing direct instruction; (ii) Assessing or providing feedback on a student's coursework; -Long term: consider as policy -Short term: update academic guidelines: Academic Guidelines -Include in distance education disclosures (iii) Providing information or responding to questions about the content of a course or competency; (iv) Facilitating a group discussion regarding the content of a course or competency; or (v) Other instructional activities approved by the institution's or program's accrediting agency.
(5) An institution ensures regular interaction between a student and an instructor or instructors by, prior to the student's completion of a course or competency—(i) Providing the opportunity for substantive interactions with the student on a predictable and scheduled basis commensurate with the length of time and the amount of content in the course or competency; and (ii) Monitoring the student's academic engagement and success and ensuring that an instructor is responsible for promptly and proactively engaging in substantive interaction with the student when needed on the basis of such monitoring, or upon request by the student.
Distance Education Course
Same as federal definition.
A course is considered a distance education course if all instruction occurs exclusively through distance education methods, as defined in existing regulations. This designation applies even if the course includes in-person, non-instructional activities such as orientation, testing, or academic support services.
Fully Online Program
All courses in the program are delivered as distance education courses. There are no on-campus requirements but may require practicums, teaching placements, and other off-campus residencies.
Hybrid Program
The majority (over 50%) of credits or instructional activities are delivered through distance education with some on-campus classes and instructional activities required. May also require practicums, teaching placements, and other off-campus residencies.
Definitions Related to Distance Education (PDF)