Date of Award

8-2011

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Education (EdD)

Department

Executive Leadership

First Supervisor

Mary S. Collins

Second Supervisor

Timothy Madigan

Abstract

The continued increasing demand for online education has raised important questions as to the quality of online educational programs. Quality is a concern of all stakeholders involved in higher education. This study examines the state of online education, specifically in regard to the quality of a two-year Radiologic Technology distance (online) program compared to its traditional and hybrid counterparts— in a single institution —in support of continuous quality improvement. All three tracks (traditional, hybrid, and online) are identical, the only difference being the mode of delivery. A qualitative case study method is used to address various elements of the Radiography program using the Sloan Consortium’s Quality Framework. The case study used four instruments of measure: the Radiography program’s 2005 Self-Study report— Guide for Program Analysis (GPA)—submitted for accreditation with the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT), structured interviews with administrators of the Radiography program, A Quality Scorecard for the Administrators of Online Education Programs, as well as post 2005 Self Study data not yet submitted to the JRCERT. Data were analyzed and compared holistically in order to evaluate the program as a whole. Results from all four instruments were in agreement in indicating that the overall quality of the Radiography program is high, yet would benefit from improvements in access to student services, faculty and student support, and in formal program evaluation practices.

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