New Part-Time Faculty

The information in this section is summarized from the Faculty Handbook (see below). At Marian University, teaching extends beyond the classroom and includes laboratories, studios, clinical settings, internships, community-engaged learning, and individual mentoring. Faculty-student relationships play a critical role in student success.

Professional Expectations

Faculty are expected to:

• Prepare and submit syllabi that clearly outline course details, learning objectives, grading policies, and expectations.
• Be present for all assigned class times unless otherwise arranged with the chair or dean. In cases of illness or emergency, faculty must notify the Dean and Provost before canceling a class.
• Be available outside of class by holding regular office hours and responding to student inquiries.
• Meet academic deadlines and adhere to university policies.
• Maintain content expertise through professional development activities such as conferences and scholarly engagement.
• Manage courses effectively, ensuring punctual class meetings, timely student feedback, and accurate grade reporting. Again, in cases of illness or emergency, faculty must notify the Dean and Provost before canceling a class. Final exams must be retained for at least one year.

Teaching Performance

Effective teaching is evaluated through:

1. Course Design
   • Up-to-date and well-structured content
   • Engaging and varied teaching methods
   • Well-developed assessments that promote higher-order thinking
2. Classroom Engagement
   • Student-centered learning approaches
   • Integration of research and scholarship
   • Effective use of discussion and technology
3. Assessment of Student Learning
   • Thoughtfully designed assessments (exams, projects, etc.)
   • Use of assessment results to improve courses

Faculty are expected to meet both university-wide and discipline-specific teaching standards, which are outlined within their departments.

Best Practices in Teaching

Marian University is deeply committed to excellence in teaching and student success. We believe that effective, research-based instructional practices are essential for creating meaningful learning experiences. The Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) exists to support faculty throughout their teaching journey, offering resources, strategies, and encouragement along the way. We've compiled this short list of teaching best practices to provide practical, high-impact approaches that promote student engagement and achievement. We invite you to explore and apply these strategies in your own courses. Teaching Best Practices

Faculty Handbook

The Marian University Faculty Handbook outlines official university policies, expectations, and procedures for all faculty. It includes information about teaching responsibilities and institutional guidelines.

We’ve included a copy of the current Faculty Handbook (2024) right here on this page for your convenience. Keep this handbook handy as a reference throughout the semester - it’s a valuable resource as you navigate your teaching role at Marian.

Credit Hour Requirements

Higher education rigor is guided by standards from the department of education, necessary for public financial aid eligibility. Universities must meet benchmarks related to course lengths and credit hours while ensuring curricula equip students with essential skills. Instructors are vital in maintaining academic rigor through effective teaching strategies that promote critical thinking. Periodic reviews assess compliance with standards, evaluating course materials, faculty qualifications, and student outcomes, driving program improvements. Institutions should also foster academic excellence through resources and opportunities for research and experiential learning. The ultimate goal is to create a strong educational framework that meets regulatory requirements and encourages lifelong learning.

Time required by law:
3 credits = 135 hours
16 weeks = 8.4 hours per week
8 weeks = 16.8 hours per week
5 weeks = 27 hours per week

The PDF provided serves as a resource for implementing legal rigor in education, specifically for non-traditional settings such as labs, clinical experiences, and internships. It encourages educators to be flexible in their teaching approaches to suit different learning environments and highlights the necessity of fostering a supportive atmosphere for all students while ensuring compliance with legal standards.

The Excel document is a valuable tool for tracking course elements and estimating time spent throughout the course. It features individual weekly sheets for easy input of lecture topics, assignments, and activities, automatically calculating hours dedicated to each task. The totals page aggregates data and visualizes it with charts, helping educators manage time effectively and optimize course structure for better student engagement and learning outcomes. Overall, it supports refined course planning, making it essential for academic success.