Policy & Procedures for Distance Education
Regulatory Subsystems
1. Financial Assistance. Federal financial assistance will be available for law students enrolled in hybrid elective courses. The law school will be in accordance with the Higher Education Act of 2006. All hybrid courses will abide by standards set forth by the U.S. Department of Education.
2. Needs Assessment. Prior to each course enrollment, law students will be required to complete a needs assessment for web-based instructions, which will be used to determine best ways to facilitate the educational experience. All needs assessments will be in accordance with state laws and standards.
a. The needs assessment will consist of four parts:
i. Course analysis—seeks to identify courses that could be enhanced,
expanded, or identified but which are currently not being offered.
ii. Audience analysis—seeks to identify student learning styles as well as
students’ ability to work independently in a self-paced environment.
iii. Instructor analysis—The instructor and technical support staff will be
assessed. Recommendations for improvement will be determined based
on assessment.
iv. Technology analysis—seeks to identify the various technology used to
deliver distance learning and select the most appropriate technology
based on content area, learning styles, and existing hardware/software.
3. Accreditation Standards. All courses will meet the same standards, goals and objectives set forth for traditional face-to-face courses and will abide by those standards set forth by the American Bar Association and the designated state’s association covering distance learning.
Course Subsystems
1. Review of Courses. The course, along with instructional materials, will be reviewed annually to ensure they meet the institutions mission, standards, goals and objectives. The annual review will also ensure that the tools, technology, equipment, licenses, and legal pedagogy that is being utilized and taught, is current.
a. The Associate Dean of Distance Learning will appoint a seven-member
committee that conduct the annual review and consist of the following people:
i. One law tenured faculty member who holds a chair in their respective
University and or law school. This faculty member cannot or should not
have taught in a distance education course for minimum of two years
prior to being assigned to the committee.
ii. One-tenured or tenured-track law faculty member who currently teaches
in the program.
iii. One non-law, online/distance education faculty member from a different
department or school.
iv. One member of the law school Information Technology (IT)/Academic
Technology (AT) unit, preferably a Programmer I or higher.
v. One member of the law school Information Technology (IT)/Academic
Technology (AT) unit, preferably the Director of IT/AT.
vi. Two law student representatives selected by the Student Bar
Association. One of who should have been a student in a distance
education course.
b. Annual reviews shall be conducted at the end of each semester prior to being
listed on the course catalog for the upcoming year.
2. Course Expectation. All courses will have a minimum and maximum amount of law students enrolled for each course similar to traditional face-to-face courses. The courses will be delivered synchronously on the institutions preferred online platform as a matter of consistency and reliability.
a. Each elective law course shall have a maximum of 25 law students enrolled in
the course. Law schools shall have final determination of enrollment for non
law students requesting to take law elective courses offered through the
hybrid model.
b. Online platforms used for the delivery of the distance education courses shall
be announced 1-year prior to the start of the semester in which the course
will be taught.
3. Faculty Expectations. Faculty will be required to be current with distance education trends, receive training on a continuing basis, and be expected to complete a minimum of fifteen hours of Continuing Education in the field of law and technology each calendar year. Faculty will be evaluated based on course quality, instructor professionalism and understanding of law and information technology.
a. Prior to teaching a course, a faculty member will be required to attend the
mandatory training session on the delivery of information using technology,
offered at their institution.
Student Subsystems
1. Student Services. The institution will ensure that students participating in distance learning will have access to student support services, adequate learning resources, university library services, advising, registration, financial aid and delivery of information, appropriate to support their learning.
2. Accessibility and Communication. The faculty will be accessible to students comparable to that of traditional face-to-face students.
a. Faculty will be expected to provide distance education law students timely
answers/feedback.
b. Faculty will have communicated with distance education law students prior to
the start of class with information regarding office hours, technology tools
required, books, and relevant course information.
3. Training. Distance education law students will receive proper training on accessing and using online platform.
a. Prior to taking any distance education courses, students will be required to
meet with Information Technology/Academic Technology to register for
required databases, software and ensure their computers are adequately
prepared to handle necessary hardware to delivery student learning.
b. All distance education law students will have received proper orientation and
training prior to the start of the semester.
i. Training shall be conducted by the Associate Dean of Distance Learning
Education.
Logistical Subsystems
1. University Technical Support. The University shall provide assistance for law school related technology and maintain networks, email systems, and software, used in distance education courses. The University IT/AT team will work with the law school IT/AT teams to determine best needs of law school distance education students.
2. Support Staff. A support staff, made up of highly qualified individuals, will be appointed specifically to assist in the distance education courses and will oversee technical, teaching, fiscal and management issues. The support staff will also ensure that the program is in compliance with federal, state and accreditation standards.
3. Fiscal. Administration for distance education program shall be separate from the law school administration. The administration for distance education shall be responsible for keeping administration cost down, be in compliance with state fiscal regulations, apply technology fee as set by the University system, and implement profit plans to supplement the law distance education program.
Accessibility Subsystems
1. Students with Disabilities. The distance education program will make any and all accommodations for students with disabilities. The law school shall work closely with the University Disability services to ensure that the program is in compliance with the American with Disability Act.
a. Students will be made aware at orientation, in class syllabuses, and by word
of mouth, that anyone with a disability should contact their instructors,
advisors and/or administrators to inform them of their disability so that proper
accommodations can be made.
b. Students should feel safe to come forward and inform their instructor of their
disability and know that the information will only be used to make proper
arrangements.
2. Windows/Mac Accessibility. Instruction and course materials will be made accessible by both Windows and Mac OS PCs. Course instructions and materials will also be compatible with learning aid and/or technology devices that assist students with their learning experience.
3. Accessibility to all Learners. Distance education elective law courses shall be open and available to all law students. Discrimination and harassment based on race, religion, color, creed, gender, marital status, age, national origin, political affiliation, mental or physical disability, sexual orientation or socioeconomic status, shall not be considered for criteria of eligibility.
a. Complaints can be filed by law students, faculty, staff, third parties who are
engaged in educational, employment, or business activities or programs.
b. Complaints shall be filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Officer (EEO)
and the Fair Practice Officer (FPO).
c. Grievance procedures shall be followed as outlined in the “Discrimination and
Harassment” policy and procedure (see section [blank]).
1. Financial Assistance. Federal financial assistance will be available for law students enrolled in hybrid elective courses. The law school will be in accordance with the Higher Education Act of 2006. All hybrid courses will abide by standards set forth by the U.S. Department of Education.
2. Needs Assessment. Prior to each course enrollment, law students will be required to complete a needs assessment for web-based instructions, which will be used to determine best ways to facilitate the educational experience. All needs assessments will be in accordance with state laws and standards.
a. The needs assessment will consist of four parts:
i. Course analysis—seeks to identify courses that could be enhanced,
expanded, or identified but which are currently not being offered.
ii. Audience analysis—seeks to identify student learning styles as well as
students’ ability to work independently in a self-paced environment.
iii. Instructor analysis—The instructor and technical support staff will be
assessed. Recommendations for improvement will be determined based
on assessment.
iv. Technology analysis—seeks to identify the various technology used to
deliver distance learning and select the most appropriate technology
based on content area, learning styles, and existing hardware/software.
3. Accreditation Standards. All courses will meet the same standards, goals and objectives set forth for traditional face-to-face courses and will abide by those standards set forth by the American Bar Association and the designated state’s association covering distance learning.
Course Subsystems
1. Review of Courses. The course, along with instructional materials, will be reviewed annually to ensure they meet the institutions mission, standards, goals and objectives. The annual review will also ensure that the tools, technology, equipment, licenses, and legal pedagogy that is being utilized and taught, is current.
a. The Associate Dean of Distance Learning will appoint a seven-member
committee that conduct the annual review and consist of the following people:
i. One law tenured faculty member who holds a chair in their respective
University and or law school. This faculty member cannot or should not
have taught in a distance education course for minimum of two years
prior to being assigned to the committee.
ii. One-tenured or tenured-track law faculty member who currently teaches
in the program.
iii. One non-law, online/distance education faculty member from a different
department or school.
iv. One member of the law school Information Technology (IT)/Academic
Technology (AT) unit, preferably a Programmer I or higher.
v. One member of the law school Information Technology (IT)/Academic
Technology (AT) unit, preferably the Director of IT/AT.
vi. Two law student representatives selected by the Student Bar
Association. One of who should have been a student in a distance
education course.
b. Annual reviews shall be conducted at the end of each semester prior to being
listed on the course catalog for the upcoming year.
2. Course Expectation. All courses will have a minimum and maximum amount of law students enrolled for each course similar to traditional face-to-face courses. The courses will be delivered synchronously on the institutions preferred online platform as a matter of consistency and reliability.
a. Each elective law course shall have a maximum of 25 law students enrolled in
the course. Law schools shall have final determination of enrollment for non
law students requesting to take law elective courses offered through the
hybrid model.
b. Online platforms used for the delivery of the distance education courses shall
be announced 1-year prior to the start of the semester in which the course
will be taught.
3. Faculty Expectations. Faculty will be required to be current with distance education trends, receive training on a continuing basis, and be expected to complete a minimum of fifteen hours of Continuing Education in the field of law and technology each calendar year. Faculty will be evaluated based on course quality, instructor professionalism and understanding of law and information technology.
a. Prior to teaching a course, a faculty member will be required to attend the
mandatory training session on the delivery of information using technology,
offered at their institution.
Student Subsystems
1. Student Services. The institution will ensure that students participating in distance learning will have access to student support services, adequate learning resources, university library services, advising, registration, financial aid and delivery of information, appropriate to support their learning.
2. Accessibility and Communication. The faculty will be accessible to students comparable to that of traditional face-to-face students.
a. Faculty will be expected to provide distance education law students timely
answers/feedback.
b. Faculty will have communicated with distance education law students prior to
the start of class with information regarding office hours, technology tools
required, books, and relevant course information.
3. Training. Distance education law students will receive proper training on accessing and using online platform.
a. Prior to taking any distance education courses, students will be required to
meet with Information Technology/Academic Technology to register for
required databases, software and ensure their computers are adequately
prepared to handle necessary hardware to delivery student learning.
b. All distance education law students will have received proper orientation and
training prior to the start of the semester.
i. Training shall be conducted by the Associate Dean of Distance Learning
Education.
Logistical Subsystems
1. University Technical Support. The University shall provide assistance for law school related technology and maintain networks, email systems, and software, used in distance education courses. The University IT/AT team will work with the law school IT/AT teams to determine best needs of law school distance education students.
2. Support Staff. A support staff, made up of highly qualified individuals, will be appointed specifically to assist in the distance education courses and will oversee technical, teaching, fiscal and management issues. The support staff will also ensure that the program is in compliance with federal, state and accreditation standards.
3. Fiscal. Administration for distance education program shall be separate from the law school administration. The administration for distance education shall be responsible for keeping administration cost down, be in compliance with state fiscal regulations, apply technology fee as set by the University system, and implement profit plans to supplement the law distance education program.
Accessibility Subsystems
1. Students with Disabilities. The distance education program will make any and all accommodations for students with disabilities. The law school shall work closely with the University Disability services to ensure that the program is in compliance with the American with Disability Act.
a. Students will be made aware at orientation, in class syllabuses, and by word
of mouth, that anyone with a disability should contact their instructors,
advisors and/or administrators to inform them of their disability so that proper
accommodations can be made.
b. Students should feel safe to come forward and inform their instructor of their
disability and know that the information will only be used to make proper
arrangements.
2. Windows/Mac Accessibility. Instruction and course materials will be made accessible by both Windows and Mac OS PCs. Course instructions and materials will also be compatible with learning aid and/or technology devices that assist students with their learning experience.
3. Accessibility to all Learners. Distance education elective law courses shall be open and available to all law students. Discrimination and harassment based on race, religion, color, creed, gender, marital status, age, national origin, political affiliation, mental or physical disability, sexual orientation or socioeconomic status, shall not be considered for criteria of eligibility.
a. Complaints can be filed by law students, faculty, staff, third parties who are
engaged in educational, employment, or business activities or programs.
b. Complaints shall be filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Officer (EEO)
and the Fair Practice Officer (FPO).
c. Grievance procedures shall be followed as outlined in the “Discrimination and
Harassment” policy and procedure (see section [blank]).