This list of best practice strategies is based on “Institutional Policies/Practices and Course Design Strategies to Promote Academic Integrity in Online Education,” produced by WCET in February 2009 and updated in April 2009. In May 2009, the Instructional Technology Council (ITC) surveyed its membership to invite feedback and additional strategies to enhance the WCET work. This June 2009 document reflects the combined contributions of WCET, the UT TeleCampus of the University…

Read more

These policies support and extend COMTA Accreditation Standard X. As such, institutions and programs which offer distance education—fully online or hybrid—must demonstrate compliance with both. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE: Distance education (both fully online and hybrid courses) utilizes technology to create enriching virtual classroom experiences. Distance education must meet the criteria of supporting regular and substantive interaction between the students and the instructor. (Independent study or correspondence courses do not meet that…

Read more

These policies support and extend COMTA Accreditation Standard II.B.2. As such, institutions and programs (as applicable) must demonstrate compliance to both. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE: Institutions and programs should ensure that students are receiving the appropriate amount of education for which they are paying. Institutions and programs should neither under-award nor over-award hours and credits. Therefore, the following will be used to verify compliance with Standard II.B.2 in lieu of other regulations:…

Read more

[Document Introduction] NOTE: This document replaces Appendix D.12 CPL Chart & D.12a Instructions. These policies support and extend COMTA Accreditation Standard VIII.C. As such, institutions programs must demonstrate compliance with both. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE: Accrediting agencies are required to assess institutions and programs based on success in achieving their stated objectives and continual efforts to improve educational quality. One metric used to determine success of a vocational program is the completion…

Read more

[Document Introduction] These policies support and extend COMTA Accreditation Standard III.B & III.C. This document serves to provide additional guidelines and instruction for schools striving for compliance. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE: The individuals involved in a program’s execution are key to its success. Therefore, faculty members should have the educational background, field experience, and proper credentials to competently teach their assigned courses. In addition to expertise in professional technique, schools must ensure…

Read more

[Document Introduction] These policies support and extend COMTA Accreditation Standard II.E. This document serves to provide additional guidelines and instruction for schools striving for compliance. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE: The clinic/fieldwork experience is a vital component of student learning. Clinic/fieldwork should be considered an integral part of the instructional process, with appropriate learning objectives and evaluation tools. Clinics may be either permanent health centers in which students operate or temporary clinics in…

Read more

    To download the Optional Syllabus Template handout, click here.

  To download the Sample Business Syllabus handout, click here.

  To download the Sample Massage Technique Syllabus handout, click here.

[Document Introduction] These guidelines support and extend COMTA Accreditation Standard II.C. As such, institutions and programs must demonstrate compliance to both. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE: The syllabus is the implementation tool for the course curriculum. It also serves as a written contract between school and student on the expectations for the course, serves as a record for student learning in the future, and increases student success through full disclosure of expectations. Therefore,…

Read more