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Policies and Guidelines

At an institutional level, distance education at Saint Louis University is governed by the University Policy for Distance Education, which was developed by SLU's Distance Education Committee. The policy is grounded in evidence-based practices in distance education and on external requirements from the U.S. Department of Education and the Higher Learning Commission. The standards within this policy establish expectations at the University, program, course, and instructor levels. Additional related policies and guidelines help operationalize these standards.

To learn more about SLU’s distance education policies and guidelines, click on the headings below to expand the text.

Distance Education Definitions

Distance education differs from correspondence education in its level of interaction between students and the instructor. In order to ensure that SLU meets this distinction, the University adopted distance education definitions that are in alignment with those provided by the U.S. Department of Education and the Higher Learning Commission.

Distance Course
A distance course is one in which 75% or more of the instruction and interaction occurs via technology, with the faculty and students physically separated from each other. The primary format for distance courses at SLU is online asynchronous delivery (see below for definition).
Distance Program
A distance program refers to a certificate or degree program designed so that 75% or more of all courses counting toward the certificate or degree may be taken as distance-delivered courses.
Asynchronous Online Course
  • The primary format of distance education at SLU.
  • A distance-delivered course in which 75% or more of the instruction and interaction occurs online, with the instructor and students completing online activities at different times (“asynchronously”). Asynchronous online courses may include limited synchronous meetings.
Synchronous Online Course
  • This format is limited at SLU, and is offered only with a dean’s approval.
  • A distance-delivered course in which 75% or more of the instruction and interaction occurs online, with the instructor and students engaged in online or web conferencing activities at the same time (“synchronously”), on an established schedule that is published at the time of course registration.
Dual-Mode Course
  • This format is limited at SLU (and is offered only with a dean’s approval).
  • A co-synchronous course in which students learn together, in real time, with some students located together in an in-person classroom and some students participating in the live class session via web conferencing technology physically separated from the instructor. 
  • Dual-mode courses have two distinct (cross-listed) sections. Students are required to register either for the in-person section or the remote participation section and to participate in the modality for which they register for the whole term. 
Regular and Substantive Interaction (RSI) in Distance Courses
The U.S. Department of Education and Higher Learning Commission use this term to ensure distance education is appropriately interactive and facilitated by the instructor. SLU’s Distance Course Design Rubric has multiple criteria embedded that ensure regular and substantive interaction in all distance courses.

Distance Education Guidelines and Policies

For some of the items below, you will need to log in to MySLU/SLU Google using your SLU username and password to access this document.

University definitions and policies for distance education are consistent with the U.S. Department of Education regulations, accreditation standards established by the Higher Learning Commission, and evidence-based practices for quality distance learning. 

State Authorization

Saint Louis University is authorized, exempted from authorization, or not subject to approval to conduct distance education activity in any SLU academic program — including online courses and programs and on-ground clinicals, practica, field experiences and internships. Please see the State Authorization page for additional information.