Sam Houston State University (SHSU) applies appropriate standards and policies to its distance learning programs and off-campus instructional sites. The institution does not have any branch campus locations. The following table provides a brief synopsis of how SHSU has addressed the distance learning programs within its Compliance Certification Report and contains links to the full-text narratives for each standard included within the 5th year review.
Standard and Brief Synopsis of Distance Learning Narrative
|
Standard 6.1 (Full-Time Faculty) Sam Houston State University (SHSU) does not employ a separate faculty for its online or off-site location programs. The faculty responsible for maintaining the quality and integrity of academic programs offered through online and distance education modalities are the same faculty who ensure the excellence of face-to-face academic programs. This unified approach ensures consistency across all instructional modalities. All tenured and tenure-track faculty are full-time faculty and meet the traditional expectations of providing teaching, research, and service contributions to the University, which are instrumental in ensuring curriculum and program quality, integrity, and review. Tenured and tenure-track faculty are joined by non-tenure track faculty, many of whom are full-time faculty who contribute to curriculum and program quality, integrity, and review. Many non-tenure track faculty, who are hired on either a 9-month, 12-month, or semester basis as either full- or part-time faculty, assume support responsibilities beyond instructional assignments to include curriculum development, textbook selection, faculty governance, and other appropriate organizational interests such as academic advising, student mentoring, and committee assignments. This comprehensive involvement ensures that faculty contribute to the shared governance and service aspects of the university, fostering a cohesive academic environment. |
|
Standard 6.2.b (Program Faculty) Sam Houston State University (SHSU) does not employ a separate faculty for its online or off-site location programs. The faculty responsible for maintaining the quality and integrity of academic programs offered through online and distance education modalities are the same faculty who ensure the excellence of face-to-face academic programs. This unified approach ensures consistency across all instructional modalities and locations. In the higher education tradition of valuing shared governance, faculty members at SHSU are expected to support the quality, integrity, and review of academic programs through not only instruction, but also by engaging in services and activities including, but not limited to, curriculum development, oversight, and assessment; advising; mentoring; student organization sponsorship; committee service; professional development; and community collaboration and outreach. Within each academic discipline at SHSU, full-time faculty are integral to maintaining the quality of educational programs across all instructional modalities. These faculty members are tasked with the design, delivery, and assessment of curriculum, ensuring curriculum and program quality, integrity, and review regardless of whether the courses are offered online or in person. As demonstrated in Standard 6.2.b , more than 95% of SHSU’s undergraduate programs demonstrate greater than 70% of their total full-time faculty equivalents (FTFE) are comprised of full-time faculty. At the graduate level, more than 98% of master’s programs have at least 70% of their total FTFE comprised of full-time faculty, and 100% of doctoral programs have at least 80% of their total FTFE comprised of full-time faculty. In addition, the percentage of FTFE comprised of full-time faculty in online programs ranges from a high of 100% to a low of 57.14% and at off-site locations from a high of 100% to a low of 66.06%. Thus, at both the program and institutional level, as well as across modalities and locations, SHSU has sufficient full-time faculty and faculty resources. Professional Development: SHSU supports continuous professional development for faculty through face-to-face and virtual workshops, seminars, online training courses, and conferences focused on the latest developments in online education. Faculty development programs, some of which are mandatory, are provided year-round by the SHSU Teaching and Learning Center (TLC) and the SHSU Online departments.
Sam Houston State University (SHSU) requires faculty who teach online courses to complete a comprehensive training program to ensure high-quality instruction. This certification program, titled, "Online Course Redesign & Faculty Certification" is designed to be flexible, thorough, and collaborative, equipping faculty with the necessary tools and knowledge to excel in online teaching. The requirement applies to all faculty members teaching online courses, regardless of their faculty status (full-time, part-time, adjunct, etc.) Although all full-time faculty are involved in these diverse activities, not all faculty teach an online course in any given semester. This flexibility allows faculty to balance their teaching, research, and service commitments effectively. |
|
Standard 6.2.c (Program Coordination) Sam Houston State University (SHSU) assigns responsibility for program coordination, as well as curriculum development and review, for programs across all modalities and locations, to persons academically qualified in the respective fields. SHSU considers individuals academically qualified, regardless of program modality, if they possess (a) the terminal degree in the field or a closely related field or (b) a combination of academic and professional experience sufficient to establish expertise within the field. To support the department chair or program coordinators in ensuring that faculty teaching online courses have the appropriate training and support, SHSU Online provides training and technical support to faculty to facilitate their ability to deliver the curricular content. As part of its mission, SHSU Online offers high-quality course development services for faculty, 24/7 technical support, and ongoing professional development opportunities. |
|
Standard 8.1 (Student Achievement) Sam Houston State University (SHSU) is dedicated to fostering student success by identifying, evaluating, and publishing clear goals and outcomes for student achievement. These goals and outcomes are aligned with SHSU's mission, the diverse student population it serves, and the variety of programs it offers. The university employs a comprehensive approach to evaluate student success, ensuring that all measures are inclusive of both face-to-face and distance education students. |
|
Standard 8.2.a (Student Outcomes: Educational Programs) Sam Houston State University (SHSU) is dedicated to the continuous improvement of its educational programs through systematic assessment of student learning outcomes. As demonstrated in Standard 8.2.a, educational programs at SHSU regularly identify expected outcomes, assess the extent to which they achieve those outcomes, and provide evidence of seeking improvement based on analysis of the results, regardless of program modality or location. For the purposes of programmatic assessment, distance education programs at SHSU are classified as one of two types: (a) fully online programs, in which students can earn a credential through 100% online, asynchronous or synchronous modalities and (b) hybrid programs, in which students can earn more than 50% but less than 100% of a credential through online, asynchronous or synchronous modalities, and the remaining credits through traditional face-to-face modalities. These programs conduct and document their annual assessment efforts in the same manner as their traditional, face-to-face counterparts. Program assessment personnel are guided by the following SACSCOC documents: (a) Guidelines for the Evaluation of Distance Education (On-line Learning), (b) Distance and Correspondence Education: Policy Statement, and (c) Guidelines for Addressing Distance Education and Correspondence Courses: A Guide for Evaluators Charged with Reviewing Distance Education and Correspondence Courses. Programs that are exclusively available online report their assessment results and actions normally within Anthology Planning. Programs employing a hybrid model or programs that offer both a face-to-face and a fully online option, are expected to disaggregate their assessment results (where appropriate) in Anthology for online and face-to-face students and to use the results from both groups in formulating their actions for improvement. |
|
Standard 9.1 (Program Content) Sam Houston State University (SHSU) offers degree programs, regardless of modality or location, that (a) embody coherent courses of study, (b) are compatible with the stated mission and goals of the institution, and (c) are based upon fields of study appropriate to higher education. Degrees at SHSU, regardless of modality or location, are developed in accordance with the Texas Administrative Code (TAC), which mandates that the institution be able to demonstrate the quality of the program, including quality of curriculum design. Similarly, for doctoral programs, the TAC requires that “there should be a carefully planned and systematic program of study and a degree plan which is clear, comprehensive, and generally uniform but which permits sufficient flexibility to meet the legitimate professional interests and special needs of doctoral-level degree candidates.” Key curriculum and related processes ensure SHSU’s compliance with this standard:
|
|
Sam Houston State University (SHSU) awards associate, baccalaureate, master’s, doctoral, and professional degrees in over 120 academic disciplines as defined and approved by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB). All associate programs at SHSU require at least 60 semester credit hours, all baccalaureate programs require at least 120 semester credit hours, and all graduate programs require at least 30 semester credit hours. All programs are expressed in semester credit hours. The curriculum review and approval process requires a justification for the length of the program, regardless of modality or location, and ensures that no associate, baccalaureate, or graduate program is approved with fewer than 60, 120, or 30 hours, respectively. |
|
Standard 10.2 (Public Information) SHSU provides all students, regardless of their learning location or modality, with access to current and future academic calendars, grading policies, cost of attendance, and refund policies. Current and future academic calendars, cost of attendance, and refund policies are published on the SHSU website. Grading policies are communicated to students through the online academic catalogs and within course syllabi. |
|
Standard 10.5 (Admissions Policies and Practices) Sam Houston State University (SHSU) publishes admissions policies consistent with its mission. Recruitment materials and presentations accurately represent the practices, policies, and accreditation status of the institution, regardless of program or student location or modality. Admission policies at SHSU, published on the institution’s website and in the online catalog, do not differ by program location or modality. Such policies are consistent with the institution’s mission in that they promote standards that ensure accessibility and quality. SHSU’s recruitment materials, including catalogs, viewbooks, brochures, websites, and posts on various social media platforms provide detailed and accurate information about the university’s admissions processes, degree programs, and requirements. Program-specific recruitment materials, both online and in print, identify program location and modality options to ensure full transparency to prospective students. All recruitment pieces are updated regularly (annually for catalogs and other printed materials and frequently throughout the year for digital information). |
|
Standard 10.6 (Distance and Correspondence Education) Sam Houston State University (SHSU) maintains the integrity and security of its distance and correspondence education programs. The university takes comprehensive measures to ensure the integrity of educational credentials, to protect student privacy, and to notify students of any additional fees associated with identity verification in distance and correspondence education. Students Registering for Distance and Correspondence Courses Are the Same Students Participating in the Courses, Completing the Courses, and Receiving Credit SHSU employs several methods to verify that the student who registers for a distance or correspondence education course is the same student who participates in and completes the course and receives credit: Technical Systems SHSU uses multiple systems to manage and authenticate student identities and support online learning. A controlled access portal regulates access to the software and systems utilized by students who register in distance learning. Systems, described in further detail within Standard 10.6, include MySam, Blackboard, Banner, and Email Encryption. Authentication Best Practices These measures provide an additional layer of security beyond just a password or centralized technological systems, ensuring that the person accessing the system is indeed the authorized student. Measures, described in further detail within Standard 10.6, include secure login and passcode, single sign-on (SSO) and multi-factor authentication (MFA), password management policies and practices, Bearkat OneCard Integration, proctored examinations, and peripheral services to include local area testing centers and public library testing environments. SHSU has established comprehensive policies and best practice standards to safeguard the privacy of students enrolled in distance and correspondence education programs. Written Procedures for Protecting the Privacy of Students Enrolled in Distance and Correspondence Education Courses or Programs SHSU has established comprehensive regulations to safeguard the privacy of students enrolled in distance and correspondence education programs. Example policies, with a full list provided in Standard 10.6, include:
Notifying Students at Time of Registration or Enrollment of any Projected Additional Student Charges Associated with Verification of Student Identity SHSU prohibits requiring on-campus, distance education, or correspondence education students to utilize identity verification services, which are subject to an additional fee or charge. Rather, SHSU offers several identity verification options at no additional cost to students. |
|
Standard 10.7 (Policies for Awarding Credit) Sam Houston State University (SHSU) publishes and implements policies for determining the amount and level of credit awarded for its courses, regardless of location or mode of delivery. These policies require oversight by persons academically qualified to make the necessary judgments. SHSU does not award credit for courses through means other than credit hours. As defined with SHSU Academic Policy Statement 240401 Determination of Semester Credit Hours, the semester credit hour value is a reasonable approximation of, at a minimum, (i) one contact hour of classroom or direct faculty instruction and a minimum of two hours of out-of-class student work each week for approximately fifteen weeks for one fall or spring semester, or the equivalent amount of work over a different period of time; or (ii) at least an equivalent amount of work as required in section (i) of this definition for other academic activities leading to the award of academic credit. This definition serves as a minimum standard and does not restrict academic programs from setting a higher requirement when substantiated by discipline, accrediting, and/or licensure expectations. SHSU credit hour policies apply to all courses regardless of location or modality, including online distance education courses. A course is considered to be offered by distance education (i.e., online) if students receive more than half of the instruction at a different location than the location of the instructor. Credit hours awarded for synchronous and asynchronous distance learning courses use the same guidelines as traditionally delivered face-to-face courses, based upon equivalent content, level, and amount of work to earn the credit hours awarded. Example syllabi are provided in Standard 10.7 for classes that are offered in both face-to-face and distance formats. The syllabi indicate similar content and expectations, providing evidence that the online classes contain similar demands and amounts of work to earn the credit hours awarded. SHSU monitors, reviews, and approves the credit hour values of its courses, regardless of modality or location, through the University Curriculum Cycle. University curriculum processes involve faculty, chairs, and unit administrators who are academically qualified to make the necessary judgments regarding educational programs. |
|
Standard 10.9 (Cooperative Academic Agreements) Sam Houston State University (SHSU) does not transcript courses or credits as its own when offered through a cooperative academic arrangement. |
|
Standard 12.1 (Student Support Services) Sam Houston State University (SHSU) provides appropriate academic and student support programs, services, and activities consistent with its mission, serving both face-to-face and distance education students. These support structures are designed to promote student learning, success, and well-being, ensuring equitable access for all students regardless of their location or mode of study. SHSU provides a wide range of student support services to meet the diverse needs of its student population. These services, described in detail in Standard 12.1, offer online and virtual events, services, and resources, ensuring support for both on-campus and distance education students. |
|
Standard 12.4 (Student Complaints) Sam Houston State University (SHSU) publishes appropriate and clear procedures for addressing written student complaints, demonstrates that it follows the procedures when resolving them, and maintains a record of student complaints that can be accessed upon request by SACSCOC. All students, regardless of modality or location, are afforded the opportunity to submit written student grievances via the institution’s online submission form or via other written mechanisms (e.g., in-person delivery, hard copy mail, email, or fax). For distance learners, subsequent communication and any required meetings or hearings can also occur virtually (e.g., Zoom or Teams meetings) or via email. |
|
Standard 13.7 (Physical Resources) Sam Houston State University (SHSU) has adequate physical facilities and resources, both on and off campus, that appropriately serve the needs of the institution’s educational programs, support services, and other mission-related activities. The university ensures that its facilities are safe, appropriate, and sufficient to meet the needs of its diverse student body and faculty, regardless of location or modality. Technological Infrastructure SHSU manages and supports a sophisticated and scalable technological infrastructure to deliver quality distance and face-to-face education. SHSU recognizes the importance of a robust technological infrastructure to support its educational programs, especially for distance education. Described in detail in Standard 13.7, the following components of SHSU’s technological infrastructure, among others, ensure adequate structures and resources for online and off-campus students and faculty.
|
|
Standard 13.8 (Institutional Environment) Sam Houston State University (SHSU) takes reasonable steps to provide a healthy, safe, and secure environment for all members of the campus community. The university implements comprehensive policies and practices designed to ensure a safe and supportive environment conducive to learning and personal development, regardless of location or modality. SHSU prioritizes the safety and security of its campus and off-site locations through a comprehensive approach that includes preventive measures, emergency preparedness, and responsive actions. The following is a high-level summary of components described in greater detail within Standard 13.8:
SHSU extends its commitment to safety and security to its online learning environment, ensuring that online students are protected and supported as they engage in their educational activities.
|
|
Standard 14.1 (Publication of Accreditation Status) Sam Houston State University (SHSU) accurately represents its accreditation status and publishes the name, address, and telephone number of SACSCOC in accordance with SACSCOC’s requirements and federal policy. SHSU has no branch campuses. This information appears in the online undergraduate and graduate and professional catalogs, on the University/Program Accreditations webpage, and on the SHSU Online website. The statement is consistent and in alignment with SACSCOC requirements across all publication locations. |