Off-Campus Delivery of Academic Programs

 

Purpose Statement

 

It is a federal regulatory requirement that off-campus delivery of academic programs and courses be reported to our regional accrediting agency, the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).  The U.S. Department of Education (DoE) relies on information reported by universities to HLC to assure compliance with federal financial aid regulations.  Students seeking federal financial aid for off-campus courses trigger a compliance check from the U. S. DoE and may trigger an audit.  Compliance with these regulations protects the university’s federal funding.  Missouri Department of Higher Education (MDHE) also requires that such activity be reported for approval.

 

Definition

 

For the purposes of this guideline, off-campus activities are courses or programs that are offered in markets off the UCM Warrensburg, Missouri campus for academic credit that may be used to meet requirements of an undergraduate degree program or certificate or a graduate degree program or certificate.  (Note: for more information see Electronically Delivered Course Guidelines)

 

Guidelines

 

Locations of Off-Campus Activities

 

Off-Campus activities can occur at various locations. Locations are categorized as In-State, Out-of-State, and Out-of-U.S. Within each category, locations are reported as branch campuses, additional locations, and course locations.

 

A branch campus is a permanent location with its own faculty and administrative or supervisory organization that offers courses in educational programs leading to a degree, certificate, or other recognized educational credential. It has academic resources and support services for students and its own budgetary and hiring authority.

 

An additional location is a place where one or more of the following occurs:

 

Instruction takes place and students can complete 50 percent or more of all courses leading to a degree or a certificate program.

Courses at the site can be offered by UCM or by a combination of UCM and other entities.

Instruction takes place and students can complete a degree begun elsewhere, even if the degree completion program provides less than 50 percent of the courses leading to the degree.

A student is required to come to a physical site for 50 percent or more of a distance delivery program that is available at the site through interactive TV, video, or online teaching.

 

A course location is a place where one or more of the following occurs:

 

Students can complete less than 50 percent of a degree program.

High school students receive college instruction through dual enrollment arrangements.

 

Reporting Requirements for Off-Campus Activities

 

Establishing and offering course work at a new branch campus requires prior approval by MDHE, HLC, and U.S. DoE.

 

Offering course work at a new additional location requires prior approval by MDHE, HLC, and U.S. DoE.  Requests for approval will be submitted to the appropriate entities by the Provost of the university or her/his representative.

 

Offering course work at a new course location requires official notification to MDHE by letter signed by the Provost of the university or her/his representative.

 

Taking an existing program to an approved additional location requires prior approval by MDHE.

 

Taking an existing program to an online format requires the provost to submit a letter to MDHE.

 

Any approvals needed by MDHE and HLC must be submitted by the office of the Vice Provost for Academic Programs and Services.

 

Study abroad, field trip courses, internships, externships, and practice are not considered off-campus academic activities under this policy because they involve students who are based at the main campus and are typically residential degree-seeking students.

 

Distance education, also considered an off-campus activity, is discussed in Electronically Delivered Course Guidelines.

 

 

Revision History:

Approved by provost 2017.

Revised to reflect existing program requirements by MDHE. Approved by vice provost AP&S. February 2017.

Previously annotated as VII.28. Off-Campus Delivery of Academic programs. Renamed Off-Campus Delivery of Academic programs for alphabetical listing, grammar and spell check, and transitioned into policy library April 2017