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Policy Manual |
Classification Date Issued: 2/99,6/03* |
SUBJECT: APPROVAL OF DISTRIBUTED LEARNING COURSES AND PROGRAMS
APPLICABILITY: TOTAL UNIVERSITY
The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board has transferred the authority
to approve electronically delivered undergraduate and masters level courses
and degree programs to the university governing boards. This policy is intended
to:
· Ensure high quality instruction
· Allow programs the flexibility to compete in a highly competitive digital environment
· Encourage Faculty to participate in distributed learning
· Meet federal and state guidelines
Procedure for approving courses:
The Vice President for Academic Affairs Office approves distributed learning courses at the University of North Texas. The VPAA reports periodically to the Provost and Chancellor regarding the courses that have been approved.
1. At least four months prior to offering the course, the department or school will prepare a course proposal, consulting with the Center for Distributed Learning Staff early in the development process.
2. The proposal is signed by the department chair and dean and transmitted to the Vice President for Academic Affairs for consideration.
Procedure for approving programs:
The Provost and Executive Vice President would approve bachelor’s and master’s-level
distributed learning programs at UNT, with the exception that all new programs
must be approved by the Board of Regents. In addition, doctoral programs offered
by distributed learning must be approved by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating
Board.
The Provost reports periodically to the Chancellor, who subsequently reports
to the UNT Board of Regents regarding the programs that have been approved.
The proposing department or school should work with the Center for Distributed Learning staff, Department Chair, and Dean to prepare a program proposal. This process should begin at least nine months before the program is offered.
1. At least eight months before the start of the program, the department or
school submits proposal to the Center for Distributed Learning Steering Committee
for Review and recommendations. A Conference may be recommended to clarify
points. The proposal must be accompanied by a letter of support from the department
chair and dean.
2. The Steering Committee makes recommendations to Vice President for Academic
Affairs concerning the appropriateness of the proposed for delivery via distributed
learning.
3. The VPAA forwards a recommendation to the Provost and Executive Vice
President, who, if the recommendation is for a new program, submits it to
the Chancellor for approval by the Board of Regents.
Reviewed with no changes*