Online Course and Program Policy

Policy Narrative

Northern Illinois University recognizes distance education, also called distance learning, e-learning, and online learning, as an educational modality in which the instruction takes place online and is supported by technology. Below are general policies governing online courses and programs carrying undergraduate and/or graduate credit at Northern Illinois University (NIU). As online courses and programs are a type of course or program, all applicable university course and program policies still apply unless otherwise stated or superseded below. While this policy is specifically about online courses and programs, all courses and programs which have online learning components should adhere to the online learning policies outlined below.

Key Definitions

Online Students

NIU defines online students as students enrolled in online programs and/or who only take online courses in which there are no required in-person sessions within the course and no requirements for on-campus activity. For specific program outcomes, there may be non-course-related program requirements that are not completely online.

Online Course

Online courses are those in which 100% of course activity is online and which have no required in-person sessions within the course or requirements for on-campus activities.

In-Person Course

In-person courses are those in which there are required in-person sessions and/or some in-person activities. In-person courses range from all required sessions and activities being in-person to only a portion of sessions or activities being in-person.

Online Program

Online programs are those in which all course credit hours required to complete the program are offered as fully online courses. Admitted students can complete the program coursework completely at a distance, with no required in-person class meetings. For specific program outcomes, there may be non-course-related program requirements (e.g. licensure exams, clinical practicums, etc.) that are not completely online.

Types of Online Programs

Asynchronous

Instruction is available for students to access at a time that works best for them. Asynchronous programs do not require live virtual sessions. Students have weekly due dates to keep them on track with their coursework.

Synchronous

Instruction takes place in real-time and requires students to attend live virtual sessions at scheduled times.

In-Person Program

In-person programs are those in which some required component is in-person. In-person programs can range from all required credits being completed in-person to those programs where a significant percentage of credits are offered fully online.

General Requirements for Online Courses and Programs

• Online courses must have an official instructor of record.
• Online courses must be academically equivalent to the same course offered through other instructional delivery modes in terms of rigor and learning objectives.
• Online courses must have the appropriate instructional delivery mode (online) in the NIU course finder.
• Online programs must have the appropriate instructional delivery mode (online) designated in the undergraduate and/or graduate catalogs.
• Online courses must adhere to the university’s academic calendar and related rules (drop/add, withdrawal, refund policies, etc.). Online courses should be scheduled within the start and end dates of the term to which they are associated but may vary in duration. Online courses must never overlap at a different term than the one to which they are associated.
• Persons receiving academic credit for online courses must be admitted to NIU or (for graduate students) be a student-at-large.
• Proposals for online courses must include a rationale as to how the number of credit hours per course was determined, in compliance with NIU’s definition of a credit hour as articulated in the Curricular Definitions Policy.
• Ownership of online courses (faculty, university, shared) must comply with stipulations of copyright description as specified in university policies related to research ethics, intellectual property, and which govern in person course ownership.

Regular and Substantive Interaction

Regular and substantive interaction refers to frequent, meaningful, and academically engaging communication between instructors and students.

• Instructors must initiate interaction with online students on a predictable and scheduled basis.
• Interaction must be academic in nature, such as providing direct instruction, assessing coursework, providing feedback, and facilitating discussions.
• Instructors must be accessible to online students through office hours, scheduled meetings, and timely responses to inquiries.

Design and Delivery of Online Courses and Programs

• Online courses must be designed following best practices in online education, including clear learning objectives, engaging content, and varied assessment methods and students are adequately informed of the nature and expectations of online learning through the course syllabus.
• Professional development opportunities featuring best practices in designing, delivering, and maintaining quality online courses must be made available by NIU to faculty on a regular basis.
• Online courses will be evaluated for quality on a regular basis using appropriate methods that include but are not limited to student course evaluations. Online courses are included in the regular cycle of program review.
• Faculty are full participants in decisions regarding curricula and program oversight.

Institutionally Supported Technology

• Online learning platforms will have secure access controls to protect the integrity of course content and student information.
• The identity of faculty, staff and students participating in online courses must be verified by NIU to ensure that persons registered in the courses are the ones participating in them.
• Online courses must use the institutionally supported learning management system.
• Technical support staff must be available to faculty and online students regularly and actively work to prevent and quickly resolve technology-related problems.
• The university will ensure that student data is protected in accordance with applicable privacy laws and institutional policies.

Compliance With State and Federal Requirements

• To ensure accessibility to persons with disabilities, instruction in online courses are subject to requirements that may be imposed by the Americans with Disabilities Act, Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act as amended, the Illinois Information Technology Accessibility Act 2.1 and other state and federal regulations for digital content.
• Online programs are authorized to offer online education in member states through participation in NC-SARA.
• Online programs must comply with all NC-SARA reporting requirements, including distance education enrollment and out-of-state placements.
• Online programs must adhere to NC-SARA consumer protection standards, such as proper disclosure and notifications.
• Online programs will adhere to U.S. Department of Education distance education federal requirements.

Student Support Services

• Online students will have access to academic advising, library resources, and other support services equivalent to those available to on-campus/hybrid persons.
• Online students will have access to services available to assist people with technical issues related to online learning platforms.
• Online students will have access to resources on how to be a successful student in an online environment.

• Approved by Graduate Council 04/07/2025
• Approved by Baccalaureate Council 04/12/2025
• Replaces Online and Hybrid Courses 12/04/2019