INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW OF THE PROCESS
A Distance Education Application must be submitted and approved by ACICS prior to the initiation of any distance education or online activity, including one or more courses or entire programs. Principles and guidelines for nontraditional education described in APPENDIX H of ACICS Accreditation Criteria must be followed in the development of distance education courses and programs. The institution must secure the approval of ACICS before it advertises, recruits, enrolls, or starts any online courses.
Upon satisfactory completion of the Distance Education Application requirements, the institution may be granted permission to begin offering online courses and enroll students. A Progress Report will be required within six months of start of activity. An Initial Distance Education Evaluation Visit will be conducted toward the end of the first year of start of distance education activity. The final approval will be granted by the Council upon satisfactory fulfillment of the Initial Distance Education Evaluation requirements.
DIRECTIONS: If online courses are offered in more than one program, submit a separate application for each program.
1. Submit the completed Distance Education Application (Parts I, II, III, IV, and the Distance Education Faculty Information Sheet) along with a nonrefundable fee of $2,000 per program. If the identical program is offered at more than one location, submit separate Distance Education Applications for each location along with a nonrefundable fee of $1,000 for each location.
It is the assumption that the institution plans to convert existing courses or programs to an online delivery method. If a brand new program, not already approved by ACICS is proposed for online delivery, submit a New Program Application in addition to the Distance Education Application and pay the appropriate fee(s).
If a Distance Education/Online Branch is being proposed, discuss the institution’s plans and the application process first with the ACICS Director of Campus Development. A modified Branch Application must be submitted upon consultation with ACICS.
2. Submit an official letter of approval from the state. If a state approval is not required, submit evidence to support such a regulation.
3. Submit the Application and all supporting documentation in English. Applications must be typed, tabbed and submitted in a three-ring binder. The name and address of the institution, the ACICS code number, specification of Distance Education Application, and the date of application must be shown on the cover of the binder and on the spine of the binder. Incomplete or improperly assembled applications will be returned to the institution. Institutions will be required to re-submit a complete application with the appropriate fees.
4. Submit a copy of the agreement between the institution and the provider of the online service. If the institution is collaborating with another entity in offering online education under a Consortium Agreement, submit a copy of the Consortium Agreement. The Distance Education Consortium Fee for the “host” institution is $1,000. Distance Education Consortium Fee for each participating “home” institution is $500.
NOTE: Once approved, the proposed online activity must be initiated within one year of the planned start date specified on the Application. The institution will be required to submit a new application if the activity is not initiated within one year.
52.0301 Accounting / 51.0707 Health Information Technology52.0401 Administrative Assistant / 15.0501 Heating, A/C and Refrigeration Technology
09.0903 Advertising / 52.0904 Hotel/Motel Administration/Management
10.0304 Animation/Interactive Technology/Video Graphics / 52.1001 Human Resources Management
15.0101 Architectural Engineering Technology / 50.0404 Industrial Design
04.0201 Architecture / 50.0410 Illustration
47.0604 Automotive Mechanics Technology / 11.0401 Information Sciences/Studies
49.0104 Aviation Management and Operations / 11.0103 Information Technology
12.0501 Baking and Pastry Arts / 52.1701 Insurance
52.0803 Banking and Financial Support Services / 50.0408 Interior Design
12.0502 Bartending / 22.0301 Legal Administrative Assistant
52.0201 Business Administration and Management / 22.0302 Legal Assistant/Paralegal
52.0407 Business Office Technology / 36.0101 Leisure and Recreational Activities
51.0901 Cardiovascular Technology / 51.1613 Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse
19.0708 Child Care and Support Services Management / 52.1201 Management Information Systems
51.0813 Chiropractic Assistant / 15.0613 Manufacturing Technology
50.0602 Cinematography and Film/Video Production / 52.1401 Marketing/Marketing Management
51.1005 Clinical Laboratory Technology / 51.3501 Massage Therapy
49.0205 Commercial Vehicle Operation / 47.0000 Mechanics and Repairers
12.0500 Cooking and Related Culinary Arts / 51.0716 Medical Administrative Assistant
47.0103 Communication Systems Technology / 51.0801 Medical/Clinical Assistant
11.1003 Computer and Information Systems Security / 51.0713 Medical Insurance Coding Specialist/Coder
14.0901 Computer Engineering / 51.0714 Medical Insurance Specialist/Medical Biller
15.1201 Computer Engineering Technology / 51.0710 Medical Office Assistant
11.0803 Computer Graphics / 51.0708 Medical Transcription
47.0104 Computer Installation and Repair Technology / 52.1802 Merchandising and Buying Operations
11.0201 Computer Programming / 51.1614 Nursing/Patient Care Assistant
11.0701 Computer Science / 51.1601 Nursing/Registered Nurse
11.0899 Computer Software and Media Applications / 51.0803 Occupational Therapist Assistant
11.0901 Computer Systems Networking/ Telecommunications / 51.1803 Ophthalmic Technology
15.1202 Computer Systems Technology / 51.1802 Optometric Technology
46.0000 Construction Trades / 51.0805 Pharmacy Assistant
12.0401 Cosmetology / 51.1009 Phlebotomy
22.0303 Court Reporting / 50.0605 Photography
43.0103 Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement / 51.0806 Physical Therapist Assistant
52.0411 Customer Service Support / 10.0202 Radio/Television Broadcasting Technology
11.0601 Data Entry/Microcomputer Applications / 51.0911 Radiologic Technology
11.0301 Data Processing Technology / 52.1501 Real Estate
51.0601 Dental Assistant / 31.0301 Recreation and Leisure Facilities Management
50.0401 Design and Visual Communications / 51.0812 Respiratory Therapy Assistant
10.0303 Desktop Publishing and Digital Imaging Design / 52.0905 Restaurant/Food Services Management
51.0910 Diagnostic Medical Sonography / 52.1803 Retailing and Retail Operations
15.1301 Drafting and Design Technology / 43.0109 Security/Loss Prevention Services
52.0208 E-Commerce / 16.1603 Sign Language
14.1001 Electronics and Communications Engineering / 51.1501 Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling
51.0904 Emergency Medical Technology / 51.0909 Surgical Technology
15.0000 Engineering Technology / 11.1001 System Administration
13.1401 English as a Second Language / 13.1206 Teacher Education
01.0507 Equine Studies / 52.0903 Tourism and Travel Services Management
50.0407 Fashion/Apparel Design / 51.0808 Veterinary/Animal Health Technology
52.1902 Fashion Merchandising / 47.0408 Watchmaking and Jewelrymaking
01.0608 Floriculture / 11.1004 Web/Multimedia Management
24.0102 General Studies / 11.0801 Web Page and Digital/Multimedia Design
50.0409 Graphic Design / 11.0602 Word Processing
51.0701 Health Care Administration/Management
DISTANCE EDUCATION APPLICATION
PART I – INSTITUTIONAL INFORMATION
Institution / ACICS ID CodeAddress / Telephone
City/State/Zip / Facsimile
Application prepared by / Title
Signature / Date
PART II – OVERVIEW OF NONTRADITIONAL EDUCATION ACTIVITY
1. ____ Online Delivery ____ Self-Paced Education ____ Other: ______
2. ____ One or more courses—Less than 50% of the program identified under Item 3.
____ One or more courses—50% or more of the program identified under Item 3.
____ Selected General Education courses.
3. Name of the program: ______
Certificate / Diploma / Occupational Associate’s / Academic Associate’s / Bachelor’s / Master’s / DoctorateNote: If online courses are offered in more than one program, submit a separate application for each program.
4. Proposed start date of online activity: ______
5. Is the program listed under Item 3 already approved by ACICS? Yes ___ No ___. If No, please submit a separate New Program Application.
6. Describe how the online courses will be offered. Which entity will deliver the courses—main campus (include ACICS Code), owning corporation, a separate branch? If offered under a consortium or contract, include a copy of the document and applicable fees. Use additional page(s). If the institution plans to offer self-paced education, fully describe how such an activity will be conducted.
ACICS USE ONLY / APPROVAL NOTIFICATIONState Approval
Received / Y N / Site Visit / Y N / Date / ACICS STAFF
Fee Received / Y N / Check # / Signature
Amount $ / Date Check Received / Date
List all courses to be offered as part of the program. For each course, please provide a rationale that describes how the contact hours awarded is appropriate for the degree and credential offered. If the institution is accredited as an occupational or academic associate’s degree or bachelor’s degree institution, indicate with an * courses which satisfy the requirement for general education. Duplicate this form as needed.
Institutional Unit of academic measurement Institutional Credit/Hours Analysis
Clock Hour: _____ / One Lecture Credit = ______Contact HoursQuarter Credit Hour: _____ / One Laboratory Credit = ______Contact Hours
Trimester Credit Hour: _____ / One Internship/Externship credit = ______Contact Hours
Semester Credit Hour: _____
Instructional Delivery Methods Used (check all applicable items)
_____ A. Online lecture(s)/demonstration(s) / _____ H. Case study
_____ B. Threaded discussion / _____ I. Educational game
_____ C. Collaborative Learning / _____ J. Observation
_____ D. Multimedia presentation / _____ K. Simulation
_____ E. Text presentation / _____ L. Problem Solving
_____ F. Online drill and practice / _____ M. Other ______
_____ G. Research
* Indicate the methods used above and show approximate number of contact/activity hours for each activity. See example.
COURSE NUMBER / COURSE NAME / SUMMARY OF ON-LINE EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES * / TOTAL ON-LINE CONTACT HOURS / TOTAL ON-LINE CREDIT HOURS
Example
PSY105 / Introduction to Psychology / A. (10 hrs.) H. (10 hrs.) G. (10 hrs.) C. (10 hours) / 40 / 4
TOTAL
This narrative is to be completed for the initial approval of distance education activities at an institution. Each campus must submit a distance education narrative and be approved.
I. INSTITUTIONAL READINESS
1. What is the estimated enrollment for your online courses or your full online program?
2. How is the program consistent with the institution’s mission and objectives?
3. Describe the institution’s plan to implement the distance education activities (i.e., rationale, resources, course/program objectives, content, and student assessment). Describe how the distance education curriculum has been incorporated into the Institutional Effectiveness Plan.
4. Who will be coordinating the distance education activities? What are his/her qualifications and/or training to
oversee the distance education activities.
5. Describe the institution’s compliance with applicable federal and state regulations.
II. ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS AND ENROLLMENT
1. Do the admissions standards differ for students enrolling in this method of instructional delivery in comparison to the other program offerings? If so, how? If an (on-line) admissions test is required, how does the institution verify the student’s identity?
2. Are the admissions standards clearly stated in the catalog?
3. Describe the student orientation (to the institution) program for on-line students.
III. CURRICULUM CONTENT AND INSTRUCTION AND DELIVERY
1. How is the proposed distance education course or program of study appropriate for delivery through distance
education methods?
2. Are the educational learning objectives and outcomes appropriate for the courses, and, if so, are they consistent with the program objectives?
3. If the institution awards credit, how are the credit/contact hours allocated to support the credits awarded in
this form of educational delivery? Describe the rationale used to award the academic credits awarded for each course in the curriculum.
4 Explain and describe the method(s) of delivery (i.e., correspondence, asynchronous electronic media, synchronous electronic media, etc.) to be utilized for the proposed distance education course(s) or program
of study.
5. How will the delivery method provide for timely and meaningful interaction between students and faculty
and among students.
5. If your online content is offered through another institution, please submit a copy of the agreement and a
matrix of responsibilities for each.
IV. FACULTY AND INSTRUCTIONAL SUPPORT
1. Describe how the faculty members are academically and experientially qualified to teach the courses via this method of instruction? Describe the faculty orientation program.
2. What faculty training methods are used to familiarize the faculty with this form of educational delivery? Describe how the faculty possesses the technical skills to teach in this delivery method.
3. What resources are provided to ensure their success in using this delivery method? What platform (i.e. learning management system – LMS) will be used to deliver instruction?
4. What is the student-teacher ratio? Is it appropriate for the number of students in relationship to the number of faculty members? Explain.
5. Describe the availability of faculty and other staff to provide support to students. Is the support available 24X7? Is the support synchronous or asynchronous? Explain.
6. Describe how students will evaluate faculty members who teach distance education courses.
V. RESOURCES AND EQUIPMENT
1. Describe the instructional resources used to deliver this form of instruction. Are the instructional resources sufficient to support the program?
2. What is the budget? Is this a sufficient budget to support this form of educational delivery? Explain.
3. What are the available library resources? Do the online resources include full-text materials? How will the student access library resources? Do non-residential students have access to the same resources as residential students? If not, explain why and how the non-residential students are not being disadvantaged.
VI. STUDENTS AND STUDENT SERVICES
1. Describe how the institution plans to provide counseling, academic advising, guidance (educational, occupational, personal, etc.), financial aid, and employment assistance for online students if the students are not residential or not in regular contact with the institution.
2. If different from other programs, describe the placement assistance activities for students completing the on-line program.
VII. STUDENT EVALUATION AND PROGRAM ASSESSMENT
1. Describe all methods used to assess the achievement of student progress and academic success related to core competencies for each course and the entire program using this form of educational delivery.
2. Are the measurement objectives similar to the ones comparable to other program offerings? Why or why not?
3. What documentation is available to verify that the institution is regularly evaluating the program?
4. Is there documentation of an assessment of educational outcomes, student retention, and student, faculty, and employer satisfaction?
VIII. PUBLICATIONS
1. Has the institution fully disclosed in the catalog and in all of its publications the utilization of this educational delivery method as outlined in Appendix H? Please describe and attach.
ONLINE VERIFICATION: As part of the evaluation process, institutions will be required to provide the distance education evaluator and/or ACICS staff member with the information and codes necessary to access online courses as well as participate and view the courses being offered.