ONLINE LEARNING

Expanding our online opportunities.

Online Learning Goal

The goal of Navajo Technical University’s Online Learning Department is to expand equitable access to higher education for individuals and communities within the Navajo Nation and beyond through high-quality, electronically delivered courses and programs. The department strives to promote academic success by offering culturally responsive curriculum and instruction that meet diverse student learning needs in a digital environment. Through comprehensive student support services, innovative instructional design, and faculty development, the department ensures that distance education at NTU fosters lifelong learning, community empowerment, and professional growth.

Online Learning Mission

The mission of the Online Learning Department at Navajo Technical University is to deliver accessible, high-quality, and culturally grounded online education that empowers students to achieve their academic, professional, and personal goals. The department is dedicated to advancing student success by integrating technology, innovation, and the Diné Philosophy of Education—Nitsáhákees (Thinking), Nahat’á (Planning), Iiná (Living), and Sihasin (Assurance)—into teaching and learning. By extending NTU’s accredited programs to learners across the Navajo Nation and beyond, the department supports the university’s vision of self-reliance, sustainability, and community advancement through education.

Objectives

1) Program Development, Accreditation, and Quality Assurance:

Support the continuous growth and internal development of NTU’s online learning programs through structured training, policy development, and quality assurance processes.
Ensure that all online courses and programs meet the standards of the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA), and U.S. Federal Guidelines on distance education and accessibility.
Maintain compliance with federal and state regulations regarding student authentication, regular and substantive interaction, and accessibility under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Implement quality assurance measures that align with best practices in online education, ensuring academic rigor, cultural relevance, and technological accessibility.

2) Faculty Support, Professional Development, and Innovation

Provide ongoing training, resources, and technical assistance to faculty for effective online teaching, course design, and compliance with HLC, SARA, and federal standards.
Encourage the integration of innovative technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), to enhance teaching effectiveness, student engagement, and personalized learning experiences.
Support faculty in developing culturally responsive and accessible course materials that reflect the Diné Philosophy of Education and uphold NTU’s mission.
Recognize and support faculty contributions to online education through inclusion in workload planning, professional development, and institutional recognition.

3) Student Support, Accessibility, and Engagement

Offer comprehensive academic and technical support services to online learners, including orientation, tutoring, advising, and access to digital resources.
Ensure that all online learning environments and materials meet accessibility standards in compliance with Section 508 and WCAG 2.1 guidelines.
Promote student engagement and retention through interactive learning experiences, culturally inclusive content, and community-building activities.
Expand access to technology resources, such as the NTU Student Laptop Program, to ensure equitable participation in online learning.

4) Technology Integration, Artificial Intelligence, and Digital Literacy

Encourage the effective use of the Learning Management System (LMS) and emerging educational technologies to enhance teaching and learning.
Integrate Artificial Intelligence tools responsibly to support adaptive learning, academic integrity, and data-informed decision-making while maintaining ethical and cultural considerations.
Support the development of digital literacy skills among students, faculty, and staff to strengthen online learning outcomes and prepare learners for a technology-driven world.

5) Community Outreach, Cultural Relevance, and Access

Increase educational opportunities for students residing in remote chapter houses and underserved areas through online learning tools and community-based partnerships.
Extend NTU’s online programs to reach learners across the Navajo Nation and globally, fostering community development, cultural preservation, and lifelong learning.
Embed the Diné Philosophy of Education into online course design and delivery to ensure that learning reflects Navajo values, worldview, and ways of knowing.

6) Accreditation, Evaluation, and Continuous Improvement

Achieve and maintain accreditation for certificate, associate, baccalaureate, and graduate degrees offered online through NTU’s LMS in alignment with HLC and SARA standards.
Conduct regular evaluations of all aspects of the online learning program, using data-driven insights to enhance course quality, student satisfaction, and institutional effectiveness.
Use assessment results to restructure and improve online learning programs, ensuring alignment with NTU’s mission, accreditation requirements, and federal guidelines.

7) Collaboration, Knowledge Sharing, and Institutional Integration

Promote collaboration among faculty, staff, and administrators to share best practices in technology-enhanced teaching and learning.
Foster a culture of innovation, inclusivity, and continuous improvement within the online learning community at NTU.
Strengthen partnerships with academic departments, tribal organizations, and external agencies to expand online learning opportunities and uphold compliance with HLC, SARA, and federal standards.

Through these goals, mission, and objectives, the Online Learning Department at Navajo Technical University reaffirms its commitment to providing transformative, accessible, and culturally grounded education that integrates the Diné Philosophy of Education, adheres to national accreditation and regulatory standards, and embraces emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence to empower learners in a digital and interconnected world.

Online Programs and Online (ONL) Courses
NTU provides 16 fully online programs and courses designed for flexible learning. Delivered via Blackboard Ultra or web-based platforms, these offerings aim to enrich the educational experience for prospective students seeking accessible, rigorous academic opportunities.

Online Education Committee
Academic Year Fall 2026 – Spring 2027 and Summer 2027.

Blackboard Ultra new Learning Management System (LMS)
A learning platform designed to provide educators, administrators, and learners with a single robust, secure, and integrated system to create personalized environments.

Student Onboarding
NTU provides many best practice resources available to online learners. NTU has a variety of online and on-site resources available to students taking online courses. Take advantage of the available resources to use to become a successful online learner.

Faculty Resource
NTU provides many best practice resources to enable instructors to design, develop, and deliver high quality distance learning courses. Instructors also take advantage of one-on-one faculty development opportunities, as well as hands-on technical training.

State Authorization and Complaint Resolution
Navajo Technical University has been approved by the New Mexico Higher Education Department (NMHED) to participate in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements. NC-SARA is a voluntary, regional approach to state oversight of postsecondary distance education. (NC-SARA Website)

Online Support for Dual Credit Students
Are you enrolled in an online or hybrid course? This information will help you get started and access all our online resources.

Online Complaint Form
Navajo Technical University takes students, faculty, staff, and community complaints very seriously and works with everyone to resolve formal complaints in a timely manner.