Standards and Guidelines Overview


Standards and Guidelines

The Why Behind Our Recommendations


A student’s experience in an online course differs from that of a face-to-face course in terms of method of delivery, but the quality of the course and amount of content and interaction should be very similar. To accomplish this, it is important to have a solid understanding of the standards and guidelines that govern online learning as well as the current best practices that inform the design of online courses.  

The first two sections of this module provide an overview of several federal and university guidelines that relate to online courses. These include two of the most important aspects of online course design: 

  1. Student interaction and
  2. The quality and quantity of course content

The next two sections of the module address college level requirements (including best practices in higher ed) and the course design process.

Below is a brief overview of the main points of this section. Read through the overview and then through the pages that follow for more in depth information and help. 


student at a desk looking at laptop

The Importance of Interaction

  • Federal guidelines mandate that regular and substantive interaction be included in an online course
  • An online course is not a correspondence course

Go to page on the Importance of Interaction


hands typing on laptop

The Importance of the Quality and Quantity of Content

  • Students can expect to work as hard and as long on their online course (at least 9 hours each week for a 3 credit 16-week semester course) as they would in a face to face course
  • Do not cut back on content, teaching, and/or requirements simply because it is in an online environment or because it is a shorter semester

Go to page on the Importance of the Quality and Quantity of Content


Evans Hall

University Requirements

  • There are a number of university requirements that need to be taken into account when creating an online course including copyright and fair use, ADA compliance, general education requirements, and ODL guidelines

 Go to page on University Requirements


photo of Ellison Hall entrance from a distance

Dodge Family College of Arts and Sciences Requirements

  • The Online Course Evaluation rubric includes the College's requirements for online courses and is based on current best practices in online learning in higher ed

Go to page on the DFCAS Requirements


calendar Courses Do Not Open for enrollment until they are completely developed and ready to teach

Course Development Process

  • The course development process can take at least six months 
  • Courses do no to open for enrollment until the course design process is complete

Go to page on the Course Development Process


>> After reading this overview click through the more detailed pages that follow. (Click the images above or the links in the text to access the pages--You can also click the "Next" button below.)