Ohio State has adopted the Higher Learning Commission's distance education definitions.
The University Registrar defines distance courses and programs as follows:
A distance course is one in which 75% or more of formalized instruction, synchronous or asynchronous, uses one or more of the following technologies: the internet; one-way and two-way transmission through open broadcast, closed-circuit, cable, microwave, broadband lines, fiber optics, satellite, or wireless communication devices; audio conferencing; or videocassettes, DVDs, and CD-ROMs used in conjunction with any of the other technologies.
Ohio State defines distance courses by two instruction modes:
View the University Registrar's Job Aid for Class Labels.
A distance program is a postsecondary educational program offered by an institution of higher learning, in which 50% or more of the courses offered are distance courses, which leads to an academic or professional degree, certificate, or other recognized educational credential.
An associates, bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral program is considered a distance program if 50% or more of the courses offered are distance courses. Ohio State does not include minors or embedded certificates as stand-alone education credentials for distance education; however, Certificate Types 1A, 2 and 3A can be considered distance programs if 50% or more of the courses offered are distance courses.
The consistent use of labels with distance education programs, courses and students is critical for compliance requirements, accreditation reporting, and clear and effective consumer information.
Students enrolled in Ohio State Online programs are identified by the ONL (online learning) subplan in the student information system (SIS). The distance education budget model is applied to all Distance Learning (DL) and Distance Enhanced (DH) credit hours for students enrolled in the ONL subplan.