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Considerations for online delivery include but are not limited to state authorization, practica/internships, SACSCOC notification, international students, military affiliates, and program modality. ³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ Online can provide market research data to assist departments in determining program feasibility. Departments interested in offering a new or existing program in a distance learning modality are encouraged to start the conversation by reaching out to Assistant Vice-President of Digital Learning and Innovation, Dr. Deb Miller, deb.miller@unf.edu. Dr. Miller can answer questions about the program development process and discuss various available services.

When a department chooses to move forward with program development, the next step is the completion and approval of a Distance Education Delivery Proposal presented in the next phase.

Once the academic department decides the online program is feasible for distance education delivery, the next step is to complete a and submit it to Dr. Deb Miller, deb.miller@unf.edu.

Note: The proposal is for delivery mode only and does not address the program curriculum. All new degree programs must follow the New Major/Degree Program Process for curriculum development as established in ³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ Policy 2.0040P.

This phase is considered complete once the proposal has been approved.

Program development planning begins at the intake meeting. The meeting serves to clarify program details, establish expectations, ensure necessary supports and procedures are in place, and discuss services such as faculty training, course development, enrollment management support, and student services. The department chair, program director, and key staff from ³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ Online and CIRT take part in the meeting.

Following the intake meeting, CIRT will schedule a kickoff meeting with the program director and faculty to review the proposed development timeline and discuss faculty training and support, program course-design templates, specialized course tools, media production, and the Quality Matters (QM) internal review process.

To ensure timely and effective program development, regular communication between key stakeholders—including the program director, faculty course developers, and instructional designers—will follow an agreed-upon timeline. Program development typically takes 18 to 24 months, depending on the number of courses and faculty availability. Instructional designers from CIRT coordinate with faculty course developers, ensuring collaboration on planning, designing, and developing online coursework aligned with national standards in course design and best practices for distance learning. Using the Canvas platform, the team will optimize courses for student engagement, accessibility, and quality. Regular checkpoints and quality reviews will monitor progress and guide improvements.

Completion of this phase represents a significant milestone that indicates the following has occurred:

• Faculty scheduled to develop or deliver courses within the online program have completed the Teaching Online Foundation Course (TOL).
• Courses within the online program scheduled and delivered as distance learning follow the Quality Assurance measures outlined in ³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ's DL policy. Each course in the program must obtain the Florida High Quality (HQ) course design designation within two years of initial delivery and renew that indicator every five years. Courses that have already been reviewed remain valid until expired.

During this phase, the focus is on maintaining strong communication among stakeholders and providing ongoing support as needed during scheduled annual meetings. ³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ is committed to continuously improving the design, delivery, and technology of its online programs to ensure a high-quality experience for both students and instructors. As part of this commitment, ³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ Online recommends national QM certification for all coursework after three years of program delivery. ³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ Online works closely with key program stakeholders to determine whether QM certification would benefit the program and its stakeholders.

For more information about the national QM certification for online programs, contact Kevin Hulen, kevin.hulen@unf.edu.