Distance Learning

At APU, distance learning courses originate in a campus classroom where an instructor and students meet. Videoconference technology allows additional students from off-site locations to interact with the instructor and students at the campus classroom using video, audio, and text. These courses may have specific technology requirements.

Approval Process for Distance Learning Courses

Before a course can be officially approved and listed by the registrar as a distance learning course in the catalog, the course needs to go through the appropriate approval process.

1. Contact the Office of Curricular Support at ocs@apu.edu or (626) 857-2406 to initiate the process.
2. ITT will work with the faculty subject-matter expert (SME) to design, build, and deliver a flexible course that can be used in any modality: online, blended, or distance. This approach ensures that all students receive a high-quality learning experience.

Requirements for Teaching Distance Learning Courses

It is APU policy that faculty must undergo proper training prior to teaching a distance learning course. There are three primary reasons for this policy:

1. Our accreditation stipulates that all faculty teaching distance education courses (distance learning courses have distance education components) must be qualified and fully trained. We verify faculty qualification by requiring faculty to enroll in relevant training.
2. The distance learning training orients faculty to APU’s philosophy about and approach to online pedagogy. In particular, faculty learn about how our Christian values impact teaching and learning in the distance learning modality.
3. The distance learning training offers faculty technical training on effective use of the learning management system (LMS) and other technology tools. In the training, faculty learn about practical tools to enhance student learning. Learn more about distance learning certification courses.

We understand that some faculty come to APU with some or extensive distance learning experience, and they may think they don’t need the training. We believe, however, that distance learning at APU is unique, and we have designed our training with the aim of setting up faculty and students for success.

Typically, the training must be completed prior to teaching distance learning courses, but in some rare cases we permit faculty to concurrently enroll in the training while also teaching their first course.