Distance Education in the United States

1. Definition: Distance education uses technology to teach students that are not face to face with the instructor but still provides support and interaction between the student and the instructor.

2. Definition: Correspondence course is a class where the students and teachers communicate through mail.

3. NLN CNEA's Standards of Accreditation: 1. Culture of Excellence- Program Outcomes 2. Culture of Integrity and Accountability- Mission, Governance, and Resources 3. Culture of Excellence and Caring- Faculty 4. Culture of Excellence and Caring- Students 5. Culture of Learning and Diversity- Curriculum and Evaluation Processes (NLN CNEA, 2016)

3.1. The NLN CNEA standards of accreditation are applied to distance education programs as well as all other types of nursing programs.

4. "Academic leaders at institutions with online offerings have consistently held a more favorable opinion of the learning outcomes for online education than those at institutions with no offerings" (Allen & Seaman, 2015).

4.1. 2015 results show that 71.4% rate online as good or better than face-to-face instruction (Allen and Seaman, 2015).

5. Faculty Acceptance of Online Education: Very few academic leaders report that their faculty "accept the value and legitimacy of online education" (Allen & Seaman, 2016).

5.1. There is a large need for faculty who support and encourage distance education. Faculty need to see the benefits of online educations for students. Benefits of nursing education for students include furthering education, flexibility, reduced costs, networking opportunities, and documentation.

6. Definition: Online education courses are taught either partially or entirely online. At least 80% of the course should be online to be considered an online course.

7. "Accreditation is a nongovernmental process conducted by members of postsecondary institutions and professional groups. Accreditation focuses on the quality of institutions of higher and professional education and on the quality of educational programs in those institutions" (CCNE, 2018).

7.1. Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) is an autonomous accrediting agency that focuses on the improvement of the public's health (CCNE, 2018). When a school is accredited by CCNE it shows that they have a good educational practice in the field of nursing.

7.2. National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education and Accreditation (NLN CNEA) is a programmatic accrediting body that sets standards and focuses on quality and excellence in nursing education.

8. CCNE Standard's of Accreditation: 1. Program Quality: Mission and Governance 2. Program Quality: Institutional Commitment and Resources 3. Program Quality: Curriculum and Teaching-Learning Practices 4. Program Effectiveness: Assessment and Achievement of Program Outcomes (CCNE, 2018).

8.1. CCNE applies all accreditation standards to distance education as they do traditional learning.