Section Online Instruction Type: Collected in Term Section Data Submission (TSDS – element TT080). We rely on
this element to report data about a variety of online activity (i.e. enrollment patterns, faculty instruction trends,
etc.).
Indicates whether at least some portion of the direct instruction (i.e., excluding advisement, office hours,
homework assignments, and help sessions) occurs online.
Code 1 – Not Online: No direct instruction delivered online
Code 2 – Asynchronous Online: 100% of the direct instruction occurs under time delay; that is, direct
instruction is recorded/stored and accessed later
Code 3 – Synchronous Online: 100% of the direct instruction occurs in real time without (time) delay
Code 4 – Combined Online: 100% of the direct instructed combines both Synchronous and Asynchronous type
Code 5 – Hybrid: Section where a portion (0.01% - 99.9%) of the direct instruction of the course section’s
curricular content is delivered to the student via an online communication method and the remaining portion of
the direct instruction is required to be delivered face to face.
Code 6 – Hyflex: Combines online and face-to-face instruction simultaneously into one single course section.
Students are able to participate in class in different ways: as a synchronous distance learner (via real-time, video-
streaming); as an asynchronous distance learner (accessing materials, recorded lectures, and responding at a
later time); as a face-to-face learner (physically present in the classroom); or as a flexible learner (with a degree
of choice as to how they participate each week; sometimes face-to-face, sometimes by streaming class sessions,
etc.). (New code as of Fall 2019)
Codes 2, 3, 4 are considered online types.
Online Student Intent: Student Special Population Code (#14) that indicates if a student intends to complete their
degree online. Collected in the Student Submissions (ESS & EOT – element SE025). Students’ intent may change
throughout the course of their enrollment.
Online Learning
Data Definitions
SUNY Definitions
Online Course Section: A course section in which the direct instruction of the curricular content is delivered 100%
online via asynchronous and/or synchronous methods. Requirements for on-campus/in-person orientation, testing,
academic support services, or internships/fieldwork do not exclude a course from being classified as online. However,
if any portion (.01%-99.9%) of the direct instruction is delivered face-to-face on the campus, the course must be
classified as hybrid, not online.
Online Program: An academic program that offers 50% or more of the course requirements in an online or distance
format. The 50% standard includes only courses offered in their entirety via distance education, not courses utilizing
mixed delivery methods. *Note: 50% is based on NYSED approval standards. It differs from IPEDS definition in which
“all the required coursework for program completion is able to be completed via distance education courses.”
Open SUNY: SUNY-wide collaboration of online-enabled learning opportunities. Open SUNY is not a degree program
or a school; it’s a seamless way for students to access courses, degrees, professors, and rich academics of all 64 SUNY
campuses flexibly through online formats. Open SUNY coordinates with campuses to advertise online course and
program offerings.
Open SUNY+ Program: A subset of programs offered through Open SUNY that bring an additional layer of support for
students and faculty. Students in Open SUNY+ degree programs have access to high-touch support, including a
personal concierge, help desk, and online tutoring. Open SUNY+ programs receive the Open SUNY+ designation after
being nominated by their campus and reviewed and approved by Open SUNY.
Highlighted SIRIS Data Elements
