Sec. 13b.02.03.20. Off-Campus Programs

A. Waiver of On-Campus Requirement.

(1) An off-campus program may be approved only if there is already an existing on-campus program unless a waiver of the on-campus requirement is approved by the Secretary pursuant to this section.

(2) The Secretary shall grant a waiver if the Secretary finds that the program:

(a) Meets the requirements of a new program under Education Article, §11-206, Annotated Code of Maryland, and the requirements of this chapter; and

(b) Will be offered at a regional higher education center.

(3) A program that receives a waiver under this section may not be approved at any location other than a regional higher education center unless it also is offered on-campus at the institution’s principal location.

B. A program proposal for an off-campus program shall be submitted by the institution to the Commission and contain the following information regarding need and demand for extending the program and the impact the program may have on similar programs that may exist in the region:

(1) The title of the program and the degree or certificate to be awarded;

(2) The resource requirements for the program and the source of funds to support the program for the first 2 years of program implementation;

(3) The need and demand for the program in terms of:

(a) Specific local, State, and national needs for graduates;

(b) Job opportunities that are available to those who complete the program; and

(c) Evidence of market demand through supporting data, including results of surveys that have recently been conducted;

(4) A description of the following, if a similar program is offered within the same geographical region of the State:

(a) Similarities or differences in the degree to be awarded;

(b) Area of specialization; and

(c) Specific academic content of the program;

(5) A description of the method of instructional delivery, including distance education, on-site faculty, and the mix of full-time and part-time instructors; and

(6) A brief description of the academic oversight, quality control, and student services to be provided.

C. An institution offering an off-campus program shall provide for adequate and appropriate library resources within reasonable distance of the instructional site or through institution-sponsored electronic collections and databases.

D. Faculty.

(1) Students shall be taught by qualified faculty with appropriate experience.

(2) At least 1/3 of the classes offered in an off-campus program shall be taught by full-time faculty of the parent institution.

E. An off-campus program shall:

(1) Be complete and coherent;

(2) Provide for either real-time interaction or delayed interaction between faculty and students and among students;

(3) Provide appropriate oversight of the program offered by qualified faculty from the parent institution; and

(4) Provide enrolled students with reasonable and adequate access to the range of academic and support services appropriate to support their learning, including academic advising, counseling, library and other learning resources, and financial aid.

F. An institution has responsibility for:

(1) Evaluating the program's educational effectiveness, student learning outcomes, student retention, and student and faculty satisfaction; and

(2) Providing to faculty with professional development activities, appropriate training, and other support.