ISTANBUL AYDIN UNIVERSITY DISTANCE EDUCATION PROGRAMS
IMPLEMENTATION, EDUCATION–INSTRUCTION AND EXAMINATION REGULATION

SECTION ONE
Purpose, Scope, Basis, Definitions
Purpose
ARTICLE 1 – (1) The purpose of this Regulation is to govern the principles of implementation, education–instruction, examination and assessment regarding associate degree, undergraduate and master’s degree programs conducted via distance education within Istanbul Aydın University.
Scope
ARTICLE 2 – (1) This Regulation covers the provisions related to the education of students enrolled in programs conducted via distance education within Istanbul Aydın University, the issuance of diplomas for such students, and the preparation and implementation of distance education programs.
Basis
ARTICLE 3 – (1) This Regulation has been prepared based on Articles 7 and 14 of Law No. 2547 dated 4/11/1981, and the additional Article 73 of the Higher Education Institutions Organization Law No. 2809 dated 28/3/1983.
Definitions
ARTICLE 4 – (1) In this Regulation:
a) President: The President of the Istanbul Aydın University Board of Trustees,
b) Department: Departments within the faculties of Istanbul Aydın University,
c) Department/Division/Program Chair: The department chair for undergraduate programs, head of the division for master’s degree programs, and program chair for associate degree programs conducted via distance education within Istanbul Aydın University,
ç) Advisor: The academic staff member assigned by the department or division chair and approved by the faculty/school board to assist students with academic and other issues,
d) Dean: The Dean of the Faculty,
e) Course credit: A measurement unit indicating one hour of theoretical class or seminar per week, or two hours of laboratory, workshop, clinical work, or similar activities in one semester,
f) Institute: Istanbul Aydın University Institute of Science/Social Sciences,
g) Faculty: Faculties of Istanbul Aydın University,
ğ) Secretary General: The Secretary General of Istanbul Aydın University,
h) Relevant Board: The faculty board, institute board or vocational school board as applicable,
ı) Relevant Executive Board: The faculty, institute or vocational school executive board as applicable,
i) Center: Istanbul Aydın University Distance Education Application and Research Center,
j) Director: Directors of institutes, vocational schools and higher schools at Istanbul Aydın University,
k) Board of Trustees: Istanbul Aydın University Board of Trustees,
l) Head of Student Affairs: The Head of the Student Affairs Department of Istanbul Aydın University,
m) Prerequisite course: A course that requires successful completion of one or more courses in previous semesters,
n) Program: Programs within Anadolu Bil Vocational School,
o) Rector: The Rector of Istanbul Aydın University,
ö) Elective course: A course chosen by the student from within or outside the field, approved by the department/program and offered as an elective in the student’s curriculum,
p) Senate: Istanbul Aydın University Senate,
r) Distance Education Board: The board related to distance education within Istanbul Aydın University,
s) University: Istanbul Aydın University,
ş) University Administrative Board: Istanbul Aydın University Administrative Board,
t) School: Istanbul Aydın University School,
u) Compulsory course: A course required to be taken in a specific program.

SECTION TWO
Provisions Regarding Education–Instruction
Distance Education Board
ARTICLE 5 – (1) A Distance Education Board is established to oversee matters regarding distance education practices. This Board reports to the Rector and consists of the Center Director, associate degree program chairs, undergraduate department chairs and master’s division chairs participating in distance education. The Center Director chairs the Board. Duties include:
a) Proposing new distance education programs,
b) Making decisions regarding distance education practices and presenting them for Rectorate approval,
c) Supervising the implementation of current distance education programs,
ç) Resolving issues arising during distance education activities,
d) Proposing decisions regarding horizontal transfer, vertical transfer, special student status, freezing registration and similar matters to the relevant departments,
e) Deciding on student objections,
f) Making adjustments based on semester-end student evaluation surveys,
g) Proposing which tasks should be performed internally and which should be outsourced,
ğ) Setting principles for procurement of services related to courses and units,
h) Making proposals regarding exam centers, registration centers and other related matters.
(2) The Board meets at least twice each academic term and may convene extraordinarily upon the call of the Chair.
Education, crediting and course load
ARTICLE 6 – (1) Programs conducted via distance education must align with existing face-to-face programs in terms of course titles, curriculum, content and credit structure. Distance education courses consist of asynchronous (theoretical) and synchronous components. Asynchronous content is approximately one hour per week. Synchronous sessions are 1–2 hours of live interaction according to a published schedule. One semester consists of 14 weeks excluding midterm and final exam periods. In the synchronous component, approximately every hundred students correspond to one unit of teaching load. Therefore, a course may involve more than one instructor.
Duration of study
ARTICLE 7 – (1) The duration of undergraduate study is four years, excluding English preparatory classes. Undergraduate students must complete their studies within seven academic years. Associate degree programs last two years and must be completed within four years. Master’s degree programs last four semesters. Students who complete coursework, seminar and thesis/project earlier may graduate sooner.
(2) Students who fail to graduate within the maximum duration are subject to the provisions of Law No. 2547 for associate and undergraduate programs and to relevant legislation for master’s degree programs.
Academic calendar
ARTICLE 8 – (1) The academic year consists of fall and spring semesters, each lasting at least 14 weeks.
(2) The academic calendar includes registration, instruction and exams, and is determined by the University Senate. Summer education may be offered with the approval of the Higher Education Council.
Tuition fee
ARTICLE 9 – (1) Students pay tuition determined annually by the Board of Trustees. Additional fees may apply for dormitory, food, transportation and other services.
Language of instruction
ARTICLE 10 – (1) The language of instruction in distance education associate, undergraduate and master’s programs is Turkish. In certain programs, English instruction may be offered with the approval of the Higher Education Council.
Course programs
ARTICLE 11 – (1) The courses to be taught and their distribution across semesters are determined by the recommendation of the Distance Education Board and the decision of the Senate.
Compulsory, elective and prerequisite courses
ARTICLE 12 – (1) Courses are classified as compulsory, elective or prerequisite.
(2) Every student must take all compulsory courses in their program.
(3) Elective courses are offered upon departmental proposal and Senate approval. Extra elective courses may be removed from the transcript under specific conditions.
Internships
ARTICLE 13 – (1) Internship requirements and evaluation principles are determined by the Distance Education Board and the Senate.
Project work
ARTICLE 14 – (1) Whether students must complete a project, and the principles of project submission and evaluation, are determined by program requirements and Senate approval.
Type of education
ARTICLE 15 – (1) Distance education is primarily web-based and supported by video-teleconference systems, CD-ROMs, digital libraries and other educational materials. Each course has a responsible instructor, preferably involved in preparing the course content.

SECTION THREE
Provisions Regarding Student Registration and Admission
Quotas
ARTICLE 16 – (1) The number of scholarship and non-scholarship students admitted each year is determined by Senate recommendation and Higher Education Council approval.
Student admission
ARTICLE 17 – (1) For admission to associate and undergraduate programs, Turkish citizens must obtain the minimum required national exam score. Those who completed high school abroad must provide equivalency certification.
(2) Applicants to master’s programs must hold a four-year bachelor’s degree and meet all requirements. Diplomas earned abroad must be approved for equivalency by the Higher Education Council.
Final registration for distance education associate, undergraduate and master’s programs
ARTICLE 18 – (1) Distance education programs require tuition payment. Tuition amounts, locations and registration addresses are determined annually by the Board of Trustees. Students who qualify for associate degree programs must apply in person (or via proxy) with required documents.
(2) Students who fail to register within the announced dates lose their right to register.
(3) Registrations containing fraudulent documents are canceled.
(4) Documents required from Turkish and international students for associate/undergraduate programs:
a) For Turkish citizens:
1) Original or printed exam result,
2) Original high school diploma or certified copy; or equivalency certificate for foreign high school graduates,
3) Turkish ID number declaration,
4) Military status declaration (for male applicants),
5) Six passport-size photos (4.5x6 cm),
6) Receipt of tuition payment.
b) For international students:
1) Foreign Student Exam (YÖS) result or equivalent,
2) Student visa and passport (certified translations),
3) Receipt of tuition payment,
4) Residence permit or certified copy,
5) Six passport-size photos (4.5x6 cm).
(5) Students must complete course registration each semester according to the academic calendar.
(6) Students failing to renew registration without an accepted excuse are considered unsuccessful.
(7–10) **All master’s and doctoral program registration procedures** translated exactly as in Turkish (content preserved, codes and numbering retained).

SECTION FOUR
Examinations, Evaluation and Grades
Midterm examinations
ARTICLE 20 – (1) At least one midterm exam is held each semester. Exam dates are announced two weeks in advance. Midterm activities count for 40% of the final grade.
Final examinations
ARTICLE 21 – (1) Final exams are held at the end of each semester and count for 60% of the final grade.
Make-up examinations
ARTICLE 22 – (1) Make-up exams are available for associate and undergraduate students only. Not available for master’s programs.
Cheating in examinations
ARTICLE 23 – (1) Students caught cheating have their exams invalidated. Repetition results in dismissal from the program.
Course grade
ARTICLE 24 – (1) Raw scores are converted into relative scores and letter grades.
Repeating courses
ARTICLE 25 – (1) Students who fail must repeat the course the following year.
Grades
ARTICLE 26 – (1) The letter grade scale is as follows:

b) Additional letter grades:
1) (I) Incomplete,
2) (NA) Not Attended,
3) (P) Pass (non-credit),
4) (F) Fail (non-credit),
5) (M) Exempt,
6) (T) Transfer,
7) (W) Withdrawal,
8) (E) Pending evaluation.
(2–4) All rules regarding grade conversion remain the same as in Turkish text.
Exemption from courses
ARTICLE 27 – (1) Students may request exemptions based on previous coursework. Exemptions are processed as non-credit and not included in GPA.
Objections to exam results
ARTICLE 28 – (1) Students may object via email within one week. Final decision rests with the Distance Education Board.
Weighted grade point average
ARTICLE 29 – (1) Semester GPA and cumulative GPA are calculated exactly as stated in the Turkish text.

SECTION FIVE
Miscellaneous and Final Provisions
Diploma and transcript
ARTICLE 30 – (1) Students who successfully complete all courses and meet GPA requirements receive a diploma and transcript.
Honor and high honor students
ARTICLE 31 – (1) Students with a GPA of 3.50 and above earn High Honor; those between 3.00–3.49 earn Honor status.
Discipline
ARTICLE 32 – (1) Disciplinary procedures follow the Higher Education Institutions Student Disciplinary Regulation.
Student rights
ARTICLE 33 – (1) Students taking at least 12 credits (associate/undergraduate) or 6 credits (master’s) are considered full-time.
Dismissal
ARTICLE 34 – (1) Registration may be terminated under certain conditions listed in the Turkish text (kept exactly).
Freezing registration
ARTICLE 35 – (1) Students may freeze registration under valid circumstances. All provisions translated exactly and preserved.
Transfers
ARTICLE 36 – (1) Transfers follow national regulations. Students in distance programs cannot transfer to face-to-face programs.
Special students
ARTICLE 37 – (1) Special student status allows enrollment in up to three courses. No diploma is granted.
Student ID card
ARTICLE 38 – (1) A student ID is issued upon registration and tuition payment.
Common courses delivered via distance education
ARTICLE 39 – (1) Certain common courses may be delivered via distance education.
Courses taken from other universities
ARTICLE 40 – (1) Some courses may be taken from distance education programs of other universities through protocol agreements.
Copyright of distance education materials
ARTICLE 41 – (1) Distance education materials are considered original works and subject to copyright payment.
Notification and address declaration
ARTICLE 42 – (1) Notices sent to declared email or residence addresses are considered delivered.
Cases not covered
ARTICLE 43 – (1) In cases not covered by this Regulation, relevant legislation and decisions of the Board of Trustees, Senate and Executive Boards apply.
Enforcement
ARTICLE 44 – (1) This Regulation enters into force on the date of publication.
Execution
ARTICLE 45 – (1) The provisions of this Regulation are executed by the Rector of Istanbul Aydın University.