Standard 2.H.1 - Non-Credit Programs and Courses

The College of Professional Studies and Lifelong Learning Outreach Department offers a wide variety of noncredit, open-enrollment courses in business and career development, technology skills, the arts, special interests, social and cultural topics, family matters, , personal computing, financial planning, enrichment for children and seniors and professional development for K-12 educators. Where a non-credit option is part of a for-credit course, the course is under the review of an academic department and thus operates under standard University policies, regulations and procedures. Where the noncredit program is not affiliated with an academic department, the Outreach Department utilizes alternative procedures to manage offerings. Part-time faculty are required to demonstrate their qualification to offer instruction and the appropriateness of the course for University sponsorship.

The College strives to collect participant evaluations on a course-by-course basis. These evaluations are compiled and forwarded to the instructor and programmers to assist in the continuous improvement of instructional quality and to help guide programmatic strategies. The self-support model of the College allows for quick response to poor evaluations. Instructors are encouraged to address negative comments during subsequent course offerings. Instructors who continue to receive poor evaluations are replaced.

Additionally, the College continually evaluates the market response to its offerings and determines the content of new offerings through constant direct communication between the programming staff and members of the community. This communication can take a variety of forms including but not limited to one-on-one meetings, focus groups, community round tables and participation in community based organizations and events. Individual courses that do not meet the minimal requirements for self-support and enrollment are cancelled. If the same course is offered and cancelled three times after readjustments to the schedule, marketing strategies and course content, that course is dropped from the roster. By its nature, this process helps ensure the College remains current with the changing needs of its constituents.

The geographic diversity of the locations of the College’s offerings coupled with the elective nature of student participation can make the consistent collection of evaluations difficult. Students taking non-credit courses often elect not to complete evaluation forms. Evaluation forms that are completed must be collected, compiled and distributed. The College’s offerings occur on all three University campuses as well as throughout the city, state, nation and world. They are scheduled during the evenings, weekends, and occasional University holidays for various durations ranging from one day to a year or more. The College uses both faculty and non-faculty instructors. All of these factors sometimes result in creating a complex logistical challenge. To address this situation, the College utilizes various methods to secure the greatest possible return including direct mail, campus mail, e-mail, and hand delivery of evaluations as well as personal phone calls to students on occasions. Thus all students are provided with the opportunity to submit their feedback.

Evidence: 2.8 CPSLL Operations Guide

Standard 2.H.2 - Non-Credit Program Policies and Procedures

Non-credit offerings by the College of Professional Studies and Lifelong Learning Outreach Department are held to the same record-keeping standard as credit offerings. Detailed course files are maintained for all events and include course syllabi with dates, times, instructor credentials, enrollment information, rosters and evaluations. Descriptions used for course marketing identify the nature of the course, level of instruction and target market.

Evidence: 2.16 CPSLL Publications

Standard 2.H.3 - Continuing Education Credit Policies

The University’s policy regarding the awarding of Continuing Education Units (CEUs) is outlined in the “CEU Fact Sheet” distributed to every student requesting CEUs. This policy follows national guidelines for issuing CEUs defining one CEU as representing ten (10) contact hours of participation in an organized continuing education experience under responsible sponsorship, capable direction and qualified instruction. The University does not guarantee all professional organizations will accept all CEUs toward their continuing education requirements. Students are responsible for contacting their professional organizations to determine if course offerings will or will not meet that organization’s requirements.

In addition to CEUs, the college awards a specific type of professional development credential recognized by the Montana Office of Public Instruction. All licensed educators in Montana are required to earn Office of Public Instruction (OPI) Renewal Units for renewal of their licenses. These units are awarded as one unit for every contact hour and are defined as activities designed to supplement, enhance and/or upgrade professional skills and knowledge base. As K-12 Educators are a primary constituency for the college, there is greater activity for the awarding of OPI Renewal Units.

Evidence: 2.8 CPSLL Operations Guide

Policy 2.1 - General Education/Related Instruction Requirement

Policy 2.1 and General Education are addressed in Standard Two, section 2B and C. Please refer to the items in this area. Exhibit 2.35 General Education Survey Results 2005-2008; Exhibit 2.37 Academic Foundations Assessment Results

Policy 2.2 - Educational Assessment

The educational assessment information is listed throughout the self-study
report as follows:

• Student Information: • Exhibit 1.8 Student Characteristics; Delaware Study;
  Historical Headcount, VSA
• Mid-Program Assessments: Refer to Standard Three regarding the Academic Support Center. Writing courses are required in Academic Foundations. Designated courses throughout campus are writing intensive. Program Capstone courses assess writing. Math foundational courses may be required as a result of Compass testing before enrolling in Academic Foundation Math courses.
• End of Program Assessments: Exhibit 1.6, Pre/post test comparison of student knowledge, skills, and abilities. Details are also contained in Standard Two sections B, C and D. General Education Survey Results 2005-2008: Exhibit 2.35, Academic Foundations Assessment Results: Exhibit 2.37; CAS and COT Student Learning Outcomes Assessment: Exhibit 2.38
• Program Review and Specialized Accreditation: Exhibit 2.10; Details also in Standard 2B, 2C.
• Alumni Satisfaction and Loyalty: Exhibit 1.4, Alumni Survey
• Dropouts/Non-completers: Exhibit 2.40, New Freshman Fall Cohort Retention Data
• Employment and/or Employer Satisfaction Measures: Exhibit 1.5, Career Services Survey

Policy 2.3 - Credit for Prior Experiential Learning

MSU Billings’ General Bulletin 2007-2009 specifies requirements and restrictions related to earning credit through experience. The Prior Learning Assessment Portfolio Policies and Procedures Student Handbook is available to students by request.

The process followed by students:

• Select MSU Billings course to be completed through Prior Learning Assessment.
• Contact the on-campus instructor for that course to determine whether course objectives can be met through this method of assessment.
• With a positive recommendation from the instructor/department chair/ dean, proceed with the portfolio process for that course.
• Positive recommendation does not guarantee the award of credit.

Up to 15 credits may be earned through the procedure as outlined above. Coursework will be graded Pass/No Pass. Students may submit subsequent requests to earn credit through prior learning assessment. Registration and program guidelines shall be those in force at the time of the subsequent request.

Prior to enrolling in a course, the student must have successfully completed 12 credits of college-level coursework with a 2.5 GPA from an accredited institution within the past five years. Prior credit must also include completion of ENGL 150, College Composition, or its equivalent.

Enrollment falling within a 12- to 18-credit range is subject to the tuition-and-fee flat spot, assuring that tuition and fee payment is consistent regardless of the number of credits.

Evidence:

• 2.11 General Bulletin/COT Catalog;
• 2.5 Graduate Catalog

MSU Billings Prior Learning Assessment Policies and Procedures
At MSU Billings, students may earn credit through a variety of methods including work experience and challenge tests. The University works with the student to determine which type of experience can be translated into credit. Several options are available:

• Challenge tests, such as CLEP and DANTES, allow the student to study for and test out of equivalent college-level courses. Study guides are available in Career Services to assist students in preparation for these tests. Tests can be scheduled at the College of Technology.
• Students may have already earned credit through work-site training, government-sponsored workshops or military experience. If students have certificates or documentation stating that the American Council on Education (ACE) or the national Program on Non-collegiate Sponsored Instruction (PONSI) assesses that training, credit may be available for coursework with equivalencies in MSU Billings’ curricula. Military credit is assessed from the DD214, DD295, or military transcript. Questions about this type of training or military credit may be directed to the College of Technology.
• In addition to the methods listed above, the University also offers students the opportunity to earn credit through Prior Learning Assessment. This assessment will take into account work experience or other learning experiences that do not fall into the categories described above, but which can be assessed through the development of a portfolio. Up to 15 credits can be earned through Prior Learning Assessment, and this type of credit will be graded with “P” if credit is earned. The University offers individual instruction for students throughout the process of preparing this portfolio. Additional information on Prior Learning Assessment is available through the College of Technology.
• Implementation of this policy needs to be consistent with existing departmental policies and consistent with accreditation policies and practices already in place in the various colleges (NCATE, AACSB, etc.).

MSU Billings Prior Learning Assessment Guidelines

• Prior to enrolling in a course, students must have successfully completed 12 credits of college-level coursework with a 2.50 GPA from an accredited institution within the past five years. Prior credit must also include completion of ENGL 150 or its equivalent.
• The student will first select the MSU Billings course to be completed through Prior Learning Assessment. Second, the student will contact the on-campus instructor for that course to determine whether the student can meet the course objectives through this method of assessment. If the student receives a positive recommendation from the instructor or department chair or dean, the student may proceed with the portfolio process for that course; however, a positive recommendation does not guarantee the award of credit.
• The student’s completed portfolio is examined and approved or returned to the student for additional documentation. If approved, the portfolio is forwarded to the chair of the department from which the student seeks to receive credit and the faculty from whom the student received the recommendation. If approved by both the chair and the faculty of record, the portfolio goes to the Academic Standards and Scholastic Standing Committee, which consists of faculty appointed annually. Final action on the awarding of credit takes place in this committee. Credit awarded may or may not be the equivalent of the number requested by the student.
• Credit recommendation and documentation for the coursework is forwarded to the Registrar if the assessment is successful. Coursework is posted on students’ transcripts using the course equivalent assigned by the portfolio assessment process.
• Up to 15 credits may be earned through this procedure, and coursework will be graded Pass/ No Pass. Students may submit subsequent requests to earn credit through prior learning assessment after initial completion of the seminar course. Registration and program guidelines shall be those in force at the time of the subsequent request.

Policy 2.4 - Study Abroad Programs

Chart: International Studies/MSU Billings Academic Relationship

MSU Billings Office of International Studies located in Cisel Hall works collaboratively with Academics and Student Affairs to provide opportunities for faculty and student study aboard options. We currently have 36 international students enrolled for the fall semester. We will have 6 students studying in the following countries; Germany, Chile, China, Morocco, and Spain. With the inclusion of global awareness as part of the Mission of the university, more intensive effort will be focused on obtaining this goal. The following evidences are provided to support our belief that we are meeting or exceeding the expectations in Policy 2.4

a. MSU Billings Strategic Initiatives include global awareness. Evidence: 1.1 Mission Document

b. Study Abroad rationale is stated in the AY 2007-2009 General Bulletin. The rationale was revised on 2/28/2007, and catalog changes were submitted. In addition, the rationale was added to the newly documented policy and website. Evidence: 2.27 Website (http://www.msubillings.edu/intnlstudies/ StudyAbroad.htm)

c. International Students Programs relate to MSU Billings academic programs as follows:

d. Students have several options to study abroad depending on their interest in location, cost, and degree program. Students are eligible to apply for study abroad based on academic requirements and University experience and students are selected for study abroad based on their application and short interview by the International Studies Coordinator.
Evidence: 2.27 Website (http://www.msubillings.edu/intnlstudies/ StudyAbroad.htm)

e. MSU Billings encourages students to study abroad, although no study abroad program is required by the institution. Opportunities for financial aid are available to eligible students. Students are encouraged to visit with the Financial Aid office to discuss prospective funding. Evidence: 1.1 Mission Document

f. At MSU Billings, the Study Abroad Programs do not require language proficiency. In the Spain and Costa Rica programs, students can start at any level of Spanish. In other programs (Germany, Netherlands, Japan, and China), courses can be taught in English. MSU Billings students studying abroad through Bozeman’s programs need to prove language proficiency for specific locations. In such cases, a language proficiency report must be filled out by applicants and their professional language instructor.

g. and h. Information on each study-abroad program offered directly through MSU Billings is listed on the website. The initial information includes location, dates, cost, program overview, areas of study, language of instruction, and academic credit. In addition, links to the foreign institution’s website are listed, giving students access to additional information. Students are required to participate in a mandatory study abroad orientation before departing for their host country regarding departure and arrival information in the host country as well as information specific to individual programs, Evidence: 2.27 Website (http://www.msubillings.edu/intnlstudies/SAPrograms. htm)

i. MSU Billings does not have an overseas Resident Director.

j. – o. A Course Approval Form is to be filled out by students before they leave for their study abroad. This is to be done in consultation with the student’s academic advisor, who will determine applicability of courses toward the student’s degree program. In the college of Business and the College of Arts and Sciences, one or more faculty members take a group of students on short trips to foreign countries. Students earn academic credit for these study abroad experiences. Once a student’s study abroad is complete, the host institution sends an official transcript to the Office for International Studies, which forwards it to the Registrar. The Registrar will work with the student’s advisor, referring to the Course Approval Form, to have the courses evaluated and post the credits to the student’s transcript. The Registrar will be guided in evaluating transfer credit by the following:

• Formal agreements that MSU Billings has with overseas institutions
• Credit awarded for study abroad through a regionally accredited U.S. institution
• Accreditation of the overseas institution where the study took place.

International Studies Program	MSU Billings Program
All Study Abroad programs	Academic Foundations-Cultural Diversity International Studies Minor
Netherlands	Business; History Majors
Spain & Costa Rica	Spanish Major/Minor
Germany	Education Majors

Evidence: 2.27 Website (http://www.msubillings.edu/intnlstudies/ StudyAbroad.htm)

Students are encouraged to meet with the Office of International Studies after they have returned to discuss their study abroad experience. At that time, students fill out an evaluation of their program, giving helpful feedback on what can be improved and how the experience was beneficial. This process and evaluation were initiated in February 2007. Evidence: Overview Checklist, Evaluation Questions

Evidence: 2.27 Website (http://www.msubillings.edu/intnlstudies/StudyAbroad.htm)

Policy 2.5 - Transfer and Award of Academic Credit

Policy 2.5 is addressed in Standard 2.C.4, Transfer and Acceptance of Credit.

Interinstitutional Transfer of Credit
The most commonly used transfer links on the MSU Billings website are as
follows:

http://www.msubillings.edu/advise/guides.htm
http://www.msubillings.edu/advise/regadvising.htm
http://www.msubillings.edu/future/apply/HSandTransfer.htm

An undergraduate applicant who has attempted 12 or more GPA credits at another accredited college or university is considered a transfer student. Transfer students must request official and complete transcripts from each college attended.

By Board of Regents policies 301.10, 301.5, 301.5.1, 301.5.2, 301.5.3, 301.5.4 and 301.5.5, all established in 2005, several options are available to transfer students regarding how academic credits are reviewed and accepted within the state of Montana.

• System of Controls Policy 301.5.1 establishes a timeline in which transfer credits shall be reviewed.
• Single Admissions File Policy 301.5.4 establishes ease of transfer of records between institutions (much like medical records are sent from office to office in the Health Care sector).
• Minimum Course Grades Policy 301.5.3 establishes a grade of C- as the lowest grade acceptable for any requirement beyond elective credit. MSU Billings has several programs with higher standards; these are noted in the policy available on the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education Website.
• Outdated Coursework 301.5.2 establishes a minimum number of years back for which credits must be reviewed. MSU Billings currently reviews all credits for transfer regardless of age. Certain programs require a certain currency, which is within the guidelines of this policy.
• General Education Transfer 301.10 establishes multiple options for students to bring in general education coursework: achieving an AA or AS degree; block transfer for another unit’s general education program; utilization of the MUS core; choice of either the campus academic foundations or MUS core if 20 or more general education credits are being transferred; and course-by course evaluation.

Evidence: 2.30 Report on General Education Transfer Pathways http://mus. edu/board/meetings/2008/May08/ASA/generaleducationreport.pdf

Accredited Institutions
Transcripts from regionally accredited institutions are evaluated by the Advising Center and the student is informed as to what transfer courses can be accepted toward the major and what courses must yet be completed for the degree.

Students transferring to MSU Billings who have previously earned a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education are considered to have their Academic Foundations requirements completed.

Comparability and Applicability
Acceptance of credits from other institutions of higher learning does not preclude the necessity of meeting all curricular requirements of a specific program. By action of MSU Billings Academic Senate, MSU Billings will accept transfer students with completed AA or AS degrees from other regionally accredited institutions as having fulfilled their MSU Billings Academic Foundations requirements if the general education package is comparable in total credits and content.

Evidence: 2.43 Academic Senate Minutes 10/07/04

Foreign and Unaccredited Institutions
Students who transfer credit from foreign institutions, from institutions that do not have regional accreditation, or from institutions with candidacy status in a regional accrediting association have their courses evaluated on an individual basis.

Evidence: 2.29 Procedures for transfer of credit from non-accredited
institutions

Admissions and Degree Purposes
Students transferring from community colleges or other two-year colleges including the Tribal colleges may not use the credit transferred in lieu of upperdivision credits required for graduation at MSU Billings.

Validation of Extra-Institutional and Experiential Learning for Transfer Purposes
MSU Billings reviews original source documentation when awarding credit for all transfer work, including experiential learning. MSU Billings utilizes the American Council on Education’s recommendations, National Program on Noncollegiate Sponored Instruction, as well as ARTs and SMARTs for military training when determining experiential learning credit in transfer.

Transfer of credit for graduate students is covered on pages 43 and 44 of the Graduate Catalog (exhibit 2.5)

Policy 2.6 - Distance Delivery of Courses, Certificate and Degree Programs

MSU Billings has been a leader in online education in Montana for a decade and has used eCollege platform for delivery with its assessment tools. In fall 2008, the university will be transitioning from eCollege to a new platform Desire to Learn (D2L). MSU Billings recognizes the huge impact of technology on education, academic support to students and faculty for development and delivery of online courses and programs and is positioned for a seamless transition.

A variety of courses across all departments, programs, and colleges have been offered online for several years.

Some of these courses are simply sections of regular on-campus courses. Some programs offer a majority of courses online. For example, Elementary Education has cohorts of students who take most courses online but also take on-campus summer courses to allow for in-person assessment.

The University retains intellectual property rights to all courses offered online and determines faculty salaries and copyright issues.

An office of Online Learning Operations was established in spring 2008, with a specialist hired as a Director of Online Learning Operations along with a designated faculty member as a pedagogical instructional designer Preparation and continuing professional development for faculty teaching online are provided by this office. In addition, each college has designated faculty mentors to help faculty with online delivery of programs. eCollege, the present vendor for MSU Billings’ online delivery platform has 24-hour technical support available. Additional technical assistance is also provided by the MSU Billings Office of Information Technology and in academic year 2008-2009, funds from the University and a Montana University System grant will be used to pilot an online tutoring program. Students will receive help synchronously through web conferencing software and asynchronously through email and accessing online tutorials. Online tutoring will be available to all students. This project is a collaboration between the Academic Support Center and the E-Learning Hub.

Requirements

Approval and Purpose
a. By combining the commitment to Access and Excellence with the technology that allows students to Learn Online: Anywhere/Anytime, MSU Billings’ distance delivery programs ensure that students can achieve their personal, professional and academic goals through online instruction.

b. Curriculum is identical to onsite, face-to-face programs set forth and approved by the academic departments and Academic Senate. All distance offerings are approved in advance by the appropriate University department Each course is reviewed for academic rigor and instructor qualifications by the department chair and dean of the accrediting academic college and is approved for delivery by the Provost and Director of Graduate Studies where applicable.

Curriculum and Instruction
c. Most courses do not require students to be online (in class) at any specific time. Because many faculty have laptops or home computers, interaction between student and instructor can occur at any time and are not restricted to faculty office hours or physical location.

d. The curriculum is identical to onsite/face-to-face programs and has been through the academic review process.

e. At present all online classes are offered through the same eCollege platform, which creates a uniform look and format across all disciplines. eCollege provides a 24/7 helpdesk for faculty instruction and student assistance. In addition, the University’s Institutional Technology Department offers a helpline staffed through regular business hours. In spring 2009, the university will start using Desire2Learn for delivery of online courses. Training and implementation of this new platform has started, migration of courses is taking place, and production will begin in November/ December 2008 for classes that begin during the January 2009 term.

f. This responsibility lies with the faculty and their respective academic departments. The process does not differ from on-campus courses.

g. Faculty responsibilities and course ownership are clearly outlined in the online contract that faculty receive from the Director of Online Operations when they are hired to teach an online course.

h. and i. When they began teaching online, all online instructors were provided with one-on-one training by the campus online coordinator in both technical course issues and assistance with pedagogical best practices. Fall 2006, the responsibility for technical issues was transferred to the Office of Information Technology and in fall 2007 to the office of Online Operations. MSU Billings has assembled a cadre of mentors in each college to work with faculty on their online instruction issues.

Preparation for online course delivery and continuing assistance are available through the eCollege online 24/7 help desk. Periodic workshops for faculty teaching online are conducted by eCollege instructors on the MSU Billings campus while training on D2L is in progress.

Library and Information Resources
j, k. l. Library services are available to MSU Billings online students (and instructors) in a variety of ways. Most resources are now accessible through the Library’s web site (www.msubillings.edu/library ) and include:

• Access to books, documents and periodicals—the shared online catalog lists physical and electronic resource materials owned by the MSU Billings Library, and nine other academic libraries in Montana. Items only available in print (non-digital) format are delivered to distant students on request.
• Interlibrary Loan is available for resource materials from libraries anywhere in the world, just as it is to students and faculty on campus. The request forms are all electronic and linked to the shared catalog, to Online Computer Library Center’s (OCLC) WorldCat and to databases.
• All indexes and full-text databases are available through the Library’s web site and a shared proxy server, and may be accessed from any Internet
  connection.
• The Full-Text Finder enables students to locate online articles in any source licensed for use by MSU Billings. Other articles are provided quickly and digitally through Interlibrary Loan.
• Many reserve materials (articles, tests, etc) are available electronically.
• Reference and other personal assistance are available to distant students through email, telephone, instant message or chat.
• Students in the Billings area taking online courses use the computers and high speed connections available in the Information Commons in the Library or in other computer labs in buildings on all three campus locations.
• The information literacy course that is part of Academic Foundations (Library Science /LS 125 Research in the Information Age) is offered in at least one online section each semester, as well as on site sections. This course is taught by MSU Billings professional librarians.

Online courses set learning resource expectations through research papers and other assignments using information resources. Satisfactory completion of assignments requiring use of information resources by students is measured for course completion and academic progress.

Faculty Support
m. Training for faculty who teach via online delivery is outlined in 2.6.e, h, and i.

n. Online faculty are supported through technical assistance from the eCollege’s 24-hour helpline, faculty mentors in their colleges, the Office of Information Technology and Online Operations.

Student Services
0. All services listed below are available to online students:

• Academic Advising
  • Evaluation of transcripts
  • Assistance with registration of classes
  • Setup of course schedule
  • Discussion of degree requirements
• Academic Support Center
  • Math Tutoring
  • Writing Tutoring
  • Science Tutoring
• Financial Aid and Scholarships
  • Grants
  • Scholarships
  • Student loans
  • Tuition waivers
• Library
  • Online catalog
  • Book buyback
  • Electronic resources and indexes
• Bookstore
  • Book purchasing
  • Book buyback
  • MSU Billings merchandise
• Career Services
  • Career planning
  • Counseling
  • Testing services
• Resource Directory
  • MSU Billings Online contacts and resources
• ASMSU Billings
• Student Services

p. Students can utilize the resource directory to inquire about specific issues. Students are also referred to the Student Handbook, also available online. An online student support staff member is also available to help resolve complaints, problems or issues the student might have.

q. The webpage where students log in to their courses (www.msubonline.org) is updated on a continual basis with news, dates, deadlines,

r. Students are provided with tools/links to help them succeed.

• A Demo Course, shows what an online course might “look like.” Includes illustrations and demonstrations of the many interaction tools, features and functions incorporated in the sophisticated eCollege.com online course delivery system.
• An Online Learning Quiz helps students consider whether or not online learning is appropriate for them.
• Technical Requirements insures that the student computer and browser meet all of the requirements necessary to access the student’s online courses.
• The Helpdesk provides 24/7 online technical assistance.

Facilities and Finances
s. Information Technology has staff with the technical expertise to manage our distance education initiatives. Any additional assistance can be obtained by staff, faculty, or students from the eCollege helpline 24/7 and now through D2L. There are a number of computer labs on campus with current equipment. A computer help lab for students and faculty is located in the College of Education. The lab possesses state-of-the-art computer equipment that faculty can use to enhance their course through add-ons like video and other imported learning tools.

t. The institution has a contractual arrangement with eCollege until December 31, 2008. In spring 2009, the university will start using Desire2Learn for delivery of online courses. In summer 2008, faculty and staff training and implementation of this new platform began with migration of courses that will continue through fall 2008. In spring 2009, all on line classes will use the new platform.

Plans are underway for the development of additional online course, degree, and program offerings. The creation of the Online Operations, separation of the responsibility for online instruction to a pedagogical side and a technical side is evidence of the University’s commitment to providing the best service for the development and delivery of online offerings.

Commitment to Support
u. A student is expected to complete requirements for graduation within six years after original entrance to MSU Billings. Graduation requirements are those of the catalog in effect at the time of initial enrollment or a subsequent catalog, at the student’s discretion. After six years, students are expected to meet the graduation requirements of the catalog current at that time or the requirements of any MSU Billings catalog under which they have been enrolled during the six years prior to graduation. Any request for an extension of time beyond the six-year limit must be approved in writing by the Provost/ Academic Vice Chancellor.

Evaluation and Assessment
v. Students are provided with tools/links to help them succeed.

• Demo Course. Shows what an online course might “look like”. Includes illustrations and demonstrations of the many interaction tools, features and functions incorporated in the sophisticated eCollege.com online course delivery system.
• An Online Learning Quiz. Helps students consider whether or not online learning is appropriate for them
• Technical Requirements. Insures that the student computer and browser meet all of the requirements necessary to access their online courses.
• Helpdesk. Provides 24/7 online technical assistance.

w. Online Learning/Course Satisfaction Surveys are conducted at the end of every online course. A comprehensive online program review was completed in 2002 and included data from 1998 through 2002, including Online Learning/Course Satisfaction Survey Results and Online Student Support Services Satisfaction Survey Results.

x. Faculty use tools on the web that allow them to monitor plagiarism. Most faculty who teach online also teach the onsite course; this ensures consistency between the two delivery modes. The goals and objectives are the same.

Evidence: 2.28 http://www.msubillings.edu/msubonline

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