Academic Catalog

Online Learning Policies and Definitions

NC-SARA Distance Education Compliance

D’Youville University offers several programs leading to professional licensure within the State of New York. D’Youville is an approved member of the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (NC-SARA) which allows us to provide distance learning programs (both online and in the form of supervised field experiences) and coursework to residents of states other than New York.  For more information about NC-SARA, visit their website at https://nc-sara.org/. 

Complaint Policies and Procedures

At D'Youville University, we are committed to addressing and resolving all student complaints in a fair and timely manner. Before escalating a complaint to external entities, all students, including those covered under NC-SARA, must first follow our internal complaint procedures:

1.  Submit a Complaint:

2.  Complaint Processing:

  • You will receive an acknowledgment of your complaint within 2 business days.
  • A designated staff member will review your complaint and may contact you for additional information.
  • We aim to resolve most complaints within 10 business days.

3.  Resolution:

  • You will receive a written response detailing the outcome of your complaint.
  • If you are unable to reach a suitable resolution through institutional channels for complaints or concerns about distance education courses regulated through SARA, please visit the NC-SARA complaint procedures (https://www.nc-sara.org/student-complaints) for further options

Please note: In accordance with SARA policies, this process does not cover complaints related to grades or student conduct violations.

NC-SARA and Out-of-State Distance Education Students

The National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) is an agreement among member states that establishes comparable national standards for interstate offering of postsecondary distance education courses and programs. It is designed to make it easier for students to take online courses offered by postsecondary institutions based in another state.

For D'Youville University students residing outside of New York State and enrolled in distance education programs, NC-SARA provides an additional layer of consumer protection. If you have exhausted our internal complaint procedures and the issue remains unresolved, you may escalate your complaint to the SARA State Portal Entity.

External Complaint Procedures

If your complaint is not resolved through our internal procedures, you may file a complaint with the following entities:

  1. NC-SARA Complaint Process: Visit the NC-SARA student complaints page: https://www.nc-sara.org/student-complaints
  2. New York State Education Department (NYSED): As the SARA State Portal Entity for New York, NYSED handles complaints for SARA-covered students after institutional procedures have been exhausted. Visit NYSED's complaint procedures page: http://www.nysed.gov/college-university-evaluation/filing-complaint-about-college-or-university

Please note that you must first exhaust D'Youville University's internal complaint procedures before contacting these external entities.

For more information on SARA complaint policies, please refer to Section 4 of the SARA Policy Manual (version 22.1) and the NC-SARA Quick Start Guides webpage.

We are committed to providing a high-quality educational experience and addressing any concerns our students may have. If you have any questions about this complaint procedure, please contact Jeremiah Grabowski, Executive Dean of Online Learning and Faculty Development grabowsj@dyc.edu .

For more information about Professional Licensure and Certification Requirements please visit our Professional Licenses Disclosures page.

Definitions of online learning terminology


Online education is referred to in various ways.  The two most common ways to categorize online classes are:

  1. The percentage of in the classroom “seat time” that is replaced with online course work
    1. A web-enhanced course is a class which has the same frequency and amount of in-person classroom meeting times. Seat time is not replaced but components of the course will be accessible 24/7 through the University's Learning Management System.
    2. A hybrid course is typically a course where some, but not all, of class meeting times are replaced by course delivery through distance learning, also referred to as “blended,” or “multi-mode” course.  
    3. A fully online (distance education) class is one where all the content (including assignments and exams) are delivered online.
       
  2. Whether online (distance learning) work is conducted primarily in an asynchronous or synchronous modality.
    1. Synchronous delivery is defined where students access content and non-face-to-face course activities occur at regular specific predetermined scheduled times. The scheduled meetings usually take place via a web conferencing system (WebEx).
    2. Asynchronous delivery is one in which the student accesses and completes instructional material and activities within a scheduled time frame but with no required synchronous meeting times.

Definitions:

Web-enhanced courses meet with the same frequency and amount of in-person classroom meeting times. Seat time is not replaced but components of the course will be accessible 24/7 through the University's Learning Management System (LMS). The amount of online activities will vary depending on the professor and course requirements.

100% of class meeting times are in-person at the scheduled time and location.

Hybrid courses are courses where some, but not all in-person classroom meeting times are replaced by course delivery online. These courses may also be referred to as “blended” or “multi-mode” courses. Designed to take advantage of the best features of face-to-face and online activities.

At least 30% of in-person classroom meeting times are replaced with online course activities. Individual departments may have different guidelines.

Online courses are courses where all content (including assignments and exams) is delivered online. Online course may be synchronous or asynchronous in format. There are no required on-campus sessions.  If an online course requires regular synchronous meetings, those times will be noted in the class schedule.

100% of class meeting times are replaced with online course activities. In an online course that comprises both a lecture and a lab section, the lecture including the lab and exams are undertaken solely online.

Guidelines for Credit Hours and Mode of Instruction

The following guidelines come from the New York State Education Department which defines one semester credit hour as at least 15 hours (of 50 minutes each) of instruction and at least 30 hours of supplementary assignments. [1]

The following table is meant to serve as a guideline for faculty to determine if their online or hybrid course has an appropriate amount of instruction material. The guidelines are meant to be informative and a reference tool for faculty. Just as in an on-ground course, faculty will not be expected to calculate the amount of time students will spend in their online course.

Number of instructional hours offered relative to credit hours and mode of instruction. 

Credit hours        100% Online Instruction                                     Hybrid – At least 30% of Online Instruction
1                            750 mins                                                              At least 225 mins
2                            1,500 mins                                                           At least 450 mins
3                            2,250 mins*                                                         At least 675 mins
4                            3,000 mins                                                           At least 900 mins

[1] Codes, Rules and Regulations of the State of New York, Title 8 – Education Department, Chapter II –Regulations of the Commissioner, Subchapter A – Higher and Professional Regulations, Part 50 – General, Section 50.1.

* To fulfill the 2,250 minute requirement, a typical 3 credit hour course meet either three times per week for 50 minutes or two times per week for 75 minutes.