1. University Proposal

If you're interested in converting an existing program to an online delivery format, initiate the university proposal and approval process by contacting the Associate Vice President for Faculty Development and Advancement.  

If your program already exists in an online format and you're seeking ODL support for additional course development, skip to Step 2.

2. ODL Proposal

Initiate a proposal for ODL funding and support by contacting the Assistant Director of Instructional Development. We'll work with you to project enrollment and program costs, determine a course rollout schedule, and identify  the ODL services needed to support your online program and/or courses.

3. Letter of Agreement

When the proposal has been approved for funding, we'll work with you to develop a letter of agreement (LOA). The LOA defines the development and support roles we'll provide and includes a three-year budget estimate of enrollment and program costs. It also includes a timeline of the course rollout schedule. If you're in the university degree proposal process, you'll need to include a letter of support from ODL in the proposal.

4. Budget Request

If you don't already have a designated account, ODL will assist you with the process of requesting one through the FSU Budget Office. The budget request includes the distance learning fee calculation sheet, designated department and ID forms, and copies of the LOA and three-year budget estimate mentioned in the previous step. We'll notify you as soon as the Budget Office approves the request and assigns a budget number establishing your account.

5. University Approvals

All new courses and those seeking new delivery modes must submit their changes in the Curriculum Request Application (CRA). Be prepared to submit a syllabus as well as other documentation through the CRA to ensure proper coding of courses. If you have any questions about coding courses for online delivery, please reach out to our program support staff who can advise you during the course building process.

6. Account Management

With the designated account established, ODL staff will help departments manage their distance learning expenses. We provide monthly budget snapshots that show revenue by term, expenditures for the current fiscal year, and available balance. Our HR staff assist with the review and processing of mentor and instructor appointments. This ensures that the faculty and support staff needed to develop and deliver online courses are properly compensated.

7. Instructional Development

Whether you're developing a program or a course, ODL faculty and staff are available to provide consulting in online instructional design, training on technologies for course development and delivery, and project management. We are also available to conduct quality reviews of online courses using Quality Matters, a faculty-centered, peer review process designed to evaluate the quality of online courses.

8. Course Listings

Before an online course can be offered, ODL program specialists must attach the appropriate distance learning fees in the student registration system. Staff within the colleges create online course sections each semester. Careful coding of courses ensures that students can find distance learning courses efficiently in the course look-up system, are charged the correct tuition and fees, and can self-enroll based on accurate campus location and major.      

9. Delivery Support

When your courses are ready for delivery, ODL support continues. Program specialists answer student inquiries and provide guidance to colleges on offering online programs across state lines. Instructional faculty provide consulting on online instruction and training on a variety of topics to promote and support the delivery of quality online instruction at FSU, and our technology experts provide technical support and assistance by email, phone, and in one-on-one consultations.