Policies
Policies governing online programs and courses
New Online Programs
At the University of Iowa, new online programs route through an institutional approval process involving departmental, collegiate, and provost office review. Distance & Online Education partners with college and department administration throughout the program approval and online course development process to address the regulatory requirements and demands unique to online education and support effective online program design and launch.
NC SARA
NC SARA
The university participates in State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA), which provides valuable oversight to improve the quality of distance education, making it easier for students to access programs across state lines. Maintaining institutional eligibility requires compliance with SARA policies, Interregional Guidelines for the Evaluation of Distance Education, consumer protection regulations, and annual data reporting on out-of-state learning placements and professional licensure.
Policies and Guidelines
- Online learning is appropriate to the institution’s mission and purposes
- Plans for developing, sustaining, or expanding online offerings are integrated into regular planning and evaluation processes
- Online learning is incorporated into the institution’s systems of governance and academic oversight
- Curricula for online learning offerings are coherent, cohesive, and comparable in academic rigor to programs offered in traditional instructional formats
- The institution evaluates the effectiveness of online offerings and uses the results of its evaluations to enhance the attainment of online learning goals
- Faculty responsible for delivering online learning curricula and evaluating students’ success are appropriately qualified and effectively supported
- The institution provides effective student and academic services to support students enrolled in online learning offerings
- The institution provides sufficient resources to support and, if appropriate, expand its online learning offerings
- The institution assures the integrity of its online learning offerings
International Students Outside the US
International Students Outside the US
A number of regulatory requirements related to online courses and programs may impact international students residing outside the United States. Departments and colleges should consult with DOE and the Office of the General Counsel for guidance and proactive planning.
RSI
Regular and Substantive Interaction (RSI)
The U.S. Department of Education requires that online courses and programs must include regular and substantive interaction between students and instructors to be eligible for student financial aid (Title IV funds) and full-time status.
RSI Criteria
- Distance education should be delivered through an appropriate form of online media.
- Distance education must use instructors that meet accreditor requirements for instruction in the subject matter.
- There should be at least two forms of substantive interaction.
- There must be scheduled and predictable opportunities for instructor - student interaction.
- Instructors must be responsive to students’ requests for support.
Substantive Interaction
- Providing direct instruction (e.g., live synchronous online interactions where instructor and learners are both present)
- Assessing or providing feedback on a student’s coursework
- Providing information or responding to questions about the content of a course
- Facilitating a group discussion tied to course content
- Other instructional activities approved by the institution or program’s accrediting agency
Professional Licensure Disclosures
Professional Licensure Disclosures
U.S. Federal Regulations (34 CFR § 668.43) require the university to disclose whether programs meet educational requirements for licensure in each U.S. state or territory (or if a determination has not yet been made).
New Online Course Workflow
Ready to begin developing an online course? Instructors first secure DEO approval to offer an online course and then reach out to Distance and Online Education with the details. Instructional Designers and Media staff partner with instructors to prepare the course in advance and Course Administration and Exam staff provide ongoing support.
Digital Media Retention
Distance and Online Education (DOE) archives raw media assets on DOE internal drives for a period of three years. Final versions of media are typically delivered via UICapture and their retention falls under current University policies for UICapture and/or Zoom.
Intellectual Property & Copyright
The development of online course materials by university faculty presents some unique questions for the creators of those courses, departmental executive officers and university administrators. Discuss how compensation for the development of materials and resources may affect rights to course materials.
Student Concerns
The Iowa College Aid website documents student concerns related to postsecondary education, regardless of student location or school attended. See the DOE Student Policies page for additional information.