Strategic Guidelines for Electronically-Delivered Distance Education

Stephen F. Austin State University

Definitions
For the purposes of this document, SFASU defines distance education as courses or programs delivered predominantly through electronic venues in which the instructor and students are not in the same physical location.  Face-to-face courses or programs are not addressed in this document.

Mission and Purpose
Stephen F. Austin State University utilizes distance education to support academic programs in providing citizens of East Texas, the state, and the world increased access to quality higher education. 

Vision
The SFA vision for distance education is:

·        To provide access to fully-accredited higher education for persons who may be limited by their location, disabilities, work obligations, family obligations, or other barriers

·        To be recognized as a leader in providing effective distance education of the highest quality

Priorities
The University seeks to design, develop, and deliver distance education programs and courses according to the following priorities:

• Whole programs rather than individual courses
• Programs or courses delivered fully (100% or near 100%) by distance education
• Programs or courses needed by non-traditional students for individual and/or career development
• Graduate degree programs
• Professional certificate programs
• Programs or courses that meet the needs of defined groups, such as employees of a company, school district, or members of a profession
• Upper division courses rather than lower division courses
• Courses that are part of a consortium program

Approval
Individual courses that do not qualify based on priority criteria will not be eligible for university level development support without the approval of a distance education committee.  The university generally does not support multiple developments of a single course.  Distance education courses and programs normally require college-level recommendation before being forwarded to a distance education committee for approval.