Quality
Is a distance degree worth the same?
The policy answers that before the question is asked. A programme delivered by distance "is expected to be of equal quality to any other programme leading to a MRU award", and it is validated in exactly the same way.
Before It Can Be Taught
Eight tests a programme must pass
From section 5.0 of the Distance Learning Policy. All eight must be met before a degree can be offered in an alternative delivery format.
It meets a demonstrable need, and does not damage the University's existing undergraduate or graduate offerings.
DLP §5.0A complete programme is offered, so enrolled students can graduate in a timely fashion.
DLP §5.0There are sufficient facilities, faculty and support staff willing and able to deliver it at the required quality.
DLP §5.0The Faculty and Department can still meet their other commitments, or have been released from them.
DLP §5.0It meets every relevant University degree programme requirement.
DLP §5.0It is comparable in quality to the on-campus version.
DLP §5.0The integrity of the student's work and the credibility of the degree and its credits are ensured.
DLP §5.0It adheres to the NCHE's guidelines on distance and correspondence education.
DLP §5.0Keeping It That Way
Assurance, assessment and integrity
The Faculties' role
Faculties work with the administration to establish and monitor teaching through ongoing assessment and evaluation, and to keep courses updated. Instructors are to be given help converting materials for online delivery, training in the tools, guidance on copyright and fair use, and support for quality enhancement.
DLP §8.1Assessment and testing
A DL Assessment and Testing Unit within the Academic Registrar's Office is to provide secure testing environments, run mentor, instructor and course evaluations for both distance and face-to-face courses, and support instructors in designing secure assessment.
Academic integrity
All communication is managed through the secured learning management system — contact with the instructor, collaboration with peers, submission of assignments and access to grades. Instructors using high-stakes examinations coordinate with the Assessment and Testing Unit.
DLP §8.3Reporting and auditing
The Office of Distance Learning maintains aggregate data and answers requests from internal and external bodies, and works with the Academic Registrar's Office on reports covering retention rates, course sections, enrolments and trends.
DLP §8.4External standard. The eighth approval test is that the programme adheres to the National Council for Higher Education's guidelines on distance and correspondence education. MRU is an NCHE-accredited university, and ODEL provision is not exempt from that accreditation.