Distance Education Policy

UT San Antonio Health Science Center is committed to maintaining academic excellence and ensuring consistency between traditional classroom instruction and distance education.  This policy established a framework for the development, implantation and delivery of academic credit courses and programs offered through distance education.

Academic programs and courses delivery are administered at the school level.  Deans are responsible for oversight and report through the university's academic leadership structure.

All schools are encouraged to develop and offer distance education courses and programs as appropriate.  The university ensures that all academic offerings, including those delivered through distance education, are supported by adequate resources and infrastructure.  

Definition of Distance Education 

The university follows definitions established by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board: Distance education is defined as a formal educational process in which students and instructors are separated by physical distance for more than more than 50 percent of the instructional time.

Distance education includes:

  • Fully online courses (100-percent of instruction delivered remotely)
  • Hybrid courses (more than 50 percent but less than 100 percent delivered remotely)

​For additional information, refer to Policy 2.7.4 in the UT San Antonio Health Science Center Handbook of Operating Policies (HOP).

National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA)

Texas participates in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA), which establishes national standards for offering distance education across state line.  SARA facilitates student access to online programs offered by institutions in other participating states.

Professional Licensure

Professional licensure requirements are established by individual states and may vary by location.  While SARA facilitates the delivery of distance education, it does not determine whether a program meets professional licensure requirements.

In accordance with federal regulations, the university provides information regarding whether its programs meet licensure requirements in states where students are located.  Students should consult program-specific information provided by each school.

For additional information, visit the SARA Policy Manual

Student Complaint Process (SARA)

Complaints related to distance education programs must first be addressed through the university's internal grievance procedures.

If a complaint is not resolved at the institutional level, and does not involve grades or student conduct, it may be submitted to the appropriate SARA portal entity in the institution's home state within two years of the incident. 

For additional information on the grievance process, visit the SARA Policy Manual