Guidelines for the Review of Off-Campus and Distance Education Programming during a Comprehensive Evaluation

Oct 22, 2026

Uploaded by Adam

Guidelines establish how the New England Commission of Higher Education reviews an institution’s off-campus and distance education programming within its comprehensive evaluation. The policy applies to branch sites enabling 50%+ course completion, online and hybrid delivery, low-residency formats, and certain Title IV-eligible programs. Review planning covers self-study expectations, representative site sampling, faculty and student interviews, and capacity assessment. Evaluators also verify student identity procedures and student charge notifications, and judge compliance with accreditation standards covering mission alignment, governance, academic rigor, services, resources, learning outcomes, and accurate publications.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages2

Reading Time5 min

AccessFree to download

Scope of Programs Covered

Review Planning and Site Visits

Representative Sampling and Overseas Visits

Evaluator Expectations for Identity Verification

Accreditation Standards and Quality Assurance

New England Commission of Higher Education 301 Edgewater Place, Suite 210, Wakefield, MA 01880 Tel: 781-425-7785 [I neche.org](I neche.org) Guidelines for the Review of Off-Campus and Distance Education Programming during a Comprehensive Evaluation Commission policy requires that an institution’s off-campus programs and distance education programming be reviewed as part ofits comprehensive evaluation. This requirement applies to: • any instructional site other than the main campus where it is possible for students to complete 50% or more of the courses in an educational programs leading to a degree, certificate or other recognized educational credential, and/or 50% or more of a degree completion program (even if the degree completion program provides less than 50% of the courses leading to the degree); • online and hybrid courses; • low-residency programs; • Title IV-eligible certificate programs and degree programs for which students may earn 50 percent or more of the credits for the program through technologically mediated instruction; and • degree completion programs offered on-line. The institution is expected to appropriately address its off-campus activities and distance education programming in its self-study. A representative sample of the institution’s branch campuses and additional instructional locations will be visited as a part of each comprehensive evaluation. Arrangements for the review of off-campus sites and distance education programming should be made during the chair’s preliminary visit to the campus. Visits to off-campus sites can take place during the comprehensive visit or at other times, depending upon the location and number of sites to be visited. It is preferable to complete visits to off-campus sites before or during the comprehensive visit. Evaluators will want an opportunity to speak with faculty and students atthe site, as well as to review the resources available at the site. It will also be important for evaluators to assess the capacity of the institution to administer its off-campus sites and distance education programs. Commission’s staff, in consultation with the institution and the team chair, will review the number, enrollments, and geographic distribution of the institution’s off-campus locations and determine an appropriate representative sample. If an institution has two or more off-campus locations, no fewer than two sites will be visited. If an institution has off-campus locations in states other than that of the main campus, at least one out-of-state campus will be visited. If the institution has off-campus locations outside the United States, an onsite or virtual visit will be conducted to at least one overseas campus. Evaluators who visit an institution that offers distance education are encouraged to review the Policy on the Review of Distance Education and the 21st Century Distance Education Guidelines (both available on the NECHE website) . In keeping with federal requirements, evaluators who visit an institution that offers distance education courses and programs are asked to verify that the institution: (1) has in place effective procedures through which to ensure that the student who registers in a distance education course or program is the same student who participates in and completes the course or program and receives the academic credit; (2) makes clear in writing that these processes protect student privacy; and (3) notifies students at the time of registration and enrollment of any projected additional student charges associated with the verification procedures. Through its review of the institution’s off-campus and distance education programming, the Commission seeks assurance that this programming fulfills the Standards for Accreditation; specifically that: • Off-campus and distance education programming is consistent with the mission and educational objectives ofthe institution. • Planning for off-campus and distance education prog

FAQs

Which programs and delivery formats are covered by these guidelines?

They cover off-campus instructional sites where students can complete 50% or more of courses toward recognized credentials, including online/hybrid courses, low-residency programs, and certain Title IV-eligible certificate and degree completion programs delivered via technologically mediated instruction.

How are sites selected for review during a comprehensive evaluation?

A representative sample of branch campuses and additional instructional locations is visited. If there are two or more off-campus locations, no fewer than two sites are visited; at least one out-of-state site is visited when applicable, and an onsite or virtual visit occurs for overseas locations.

What identity verification and student-charge requirements must institutions meet?

Institutions must use effective procedures to ensure the enrolled distance learner is the same student who participates, completes, and receives credit; must clearly protect student privacy in writing; and must notify students at registration of any projected additional charges tied to verification procedures.

What accreditation areas are evaluators expected to assess for off-campus and distance education?

Evaluators assess mission and educational objective consistency, integration into planning and governance, academic oversight and rigor, equivalency of standards to main-campus offerings, student access to services and learning resources, adequacy of financial and technological support, and evaluation of educational effectiveness and satisfaction.

Oct 22, 2026

Uploaded by Adam