Student support
Why accrediting commissions believe it’s important: According to recent research, institutions have not been as quick to put student services online as they have online courses, notes Keil. These policy updates list administrative, and what accrediting commissions say are practical strategies, for providing effective student support services.
Most recent updates to policy:
- Students enrolled in distance-ed programs have adequate access to, and make effective use of, learning resources; including library and information resources, labs and equipment.
- Students enrolled in distance-ed programs have adequate access to student services, including financial aid, academic advising, course registration, and career and placement counseling.
- Documented procedures assure that security of personal information is protected in the conduct of assessments and evaluations and in the dissemination of results.
- Students enrolled in distance-ed courses are able to use the technology employed, have the equipment necessary to succeed, and are provided assistance in using the technology.
Evaluation and assessment
Why accrediting commissions believe it’s important: These policies aim to address the topics of quality assurance, evaluation and assessment at the institution level and course level with guidelines to aid in self-reflection and self-improvement.
Most recent updates to policy:
- The institution evaluates the educational effectiveness of each program, including assessment of students learning outcomes, student retention, and student and faculty satisfaction, to ensure comparability to campus-based programs.
- Publications and advertising for programs are accurate and contain necessary information such as the program’s goals, requirements, academic calendar, and faculty.
- Contractual relationships and arrangements with consortial partners, if any, are clear and guarantee that the institution maintains direct and sole responsibility for the academic quality of all aspects of the programs. Where the institution has entered into contractual relationships involving credits and degrees, it has obtained approval for the substantive change.
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