Quality & Standards

How does the University ensure that academic standards are maintained in the online environment?

When a student matriculates into a degree program, he is subject to the same academic conduct policies that are enforced for on campus students. Students complete coursework using a browser-based learning management system, Blackboard Vista. Most coursework can be completed in the student’s home or office; the student must arrange to take final exams at a Boston University-authorized testing center or through a pre-approved proctor. The testing center or proctor verifies the student’s identity and supervises the exams.

Is it possible to provide in an online course what BU traditionally provides on campus?

The goal is to offer an academically equivalent learning experience. Course content and rigor are the same. While some of the synchronous characteristics of face-to-face learning are lost in an online environment, online elements have unique advantages not available via the traditional classroom.

What is necessary to make an online course equivalent to an on campus course?

Faculty must be committed to the process and to working closely with ODE support staff. Online faculty members are assigned to a dedicated Instructional Designer (ID) from ODE. Faculty need to think clearly about the material and learning objectives for their course, to communicate this information in a timely fashion to the ID at ODE and to work closely with the developer during the course creation process. Faculty members need to plan out the course in its entirety, from the first to the last session, before the course begins.