Academic Affairs
Academic Affairs Mac Lynn, director; Harold Bigham, assistant director
NationsUniversity delivers its educational experience through distance learning or distance
education. Distance learning is a form of enrollment and study that provides organized,
formal learning opportunities for students who may not otherwise be able to attend a more
traditional institution. Presented in a sequential and logical order, the instruction is offered,
primarily through the Internet, but in some cases by e-mail or postal service. When each
lesson or segment is completed, the student makes available to the school the assigned
work for correction, grading, comment, and subject matter guidance by qualified personnel.
The division of Academic Affairs manages this process.
The division of Academic Affairs develops, directs, and executes policies relative to
(a) programs and curriculum, (b) instruction, and (c) accreditation and assessment. These
policies are consistent with those adopted by the Board of Regents, harmonize with those of
other divisions of the University, and have the support of those who are chaged with their
execution. They are also undertaken in comopliance with relevant accrediting agency standards
and procedures.
Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, the Director of Academic Affairs is the principal
academic officer of the University. Working closely with peer divisions, this position maintains
broad discretionary authority to implement academic objectives and devise specific means for
their achievement within a distance learning environment. The Director is responsible for
sustainable continuous improvement in the quality of curriculum development and teaching.
The Director represents the division in preparation of the annual budget and work program and
is responsible for its execution. The Director also represents the University in relevant general
academic and distance learning academic organizations.
will be qualified by holding an earned doctorate and a record of distinction in university teaching
and distance learning; a record of successful academic administration at a four-year institution
with a graduate program, including experience in curriculum development and implementation,
faculty recruitment and supervision, and financial and budgetary responsibilities. the individual
will also possess an outstanding Christian character and excellent communication skills.
The division of Academic Affairs is specifically responsible for the functions detailed below.
a. Programs and curriculum: instructional design Director, in consultation with
Programs and Curriculum Committee (Terry Briley and John Gibbs)
Scope: This means academic programs and curricula approved by the Board of Regents and
(a) program objectives, (b) construction and revisions, and (c) evaluation. The primary tasks
associated with each of these are detailed below.
(1) Goals and objectives Program Directors (Certificate, B.R.S., M.R.S., M.Div.--
Brandon Fredenburg)
Task: Develop, review, and revise goals and objectives for each academic program and course.
These academic programs include the Certificate in Religious Studies, the Bachelor of
Religious Studies, the Master of Religious Studies, and the Master of Divinity.
(a) Establish program objectives
(b) Establish course objectives
(c) Continuous review, revision, and upgrade of program and course objectives John Gibbs
(2) Construction and revisions (instructional design)
Task: Identify, enlist, and supervise qualified and approved faculty to develop and revise
courses that will support the several academic programs in the University's distance learning
environment. At present there are over 140 courses available with the Unviersity's five
programs. These programs rely on the use of computers and the Internet as their primary
teaching delivery tool. The instructional designer plans the overall instructional flow of the
course and insures that its content is both appropriate and clearly communicated. The
instructional designers must be familiar not only with the content to be learned and the
level of the learner, but also with a computer's means of presenting information and interacting
with users.
(a) Identify and recruit curriculum developers and revisionists
(b) Assign tasks Contributing Faculty
(c) Integrate and post academic work products
(3) Evaluation (student testing) John Gibbs
Task: Design evaluation standards and procedures that will validate the students' learning for
the academic programs and courses These evaluation tools will include the three specific
areas of testing listed below.
(a) Cognitive exams
(b) Critical thinking
(c) Skills
b. Instruction
Scope: The function of instruction (separate from instructional desgin) is divided into three
categories as detailed below:
(1) Course execution
Task: Course material is initially presented in a syllabus. This syllabus is posted on
the web and also made available in hard copy.
(a) Prepare online PDF syllabi Melanie Anderson
(b) Prepare hard copy syllabi and exams Joye Jacobus
(c) Post electronic exams Awny Jadon
(2) Translations
Task: While English is the primary language of the University, some courses are offered
in other languages. This is accomplished by translating material from the English.
Courses are currently available in nine langues in addition to English.
(a) Establish criteria for selecting languages through which to deliver courses
(b) Determine languages and courses to be translated
(c) Assign translators
(d) Post translated material
(3) Tutoring Standing faculty, including Glover Shipp
Task: It is the policy of the University to provide personal support to students in their
distance learning studies. Tutoring is one means of accomplishing this. The steps
that are required include the following.
(a) Identify standing faculty
(b) Train the faculty
(c) Assign to courses and to students
(d) Follow up
c. Accreditation and assessment David Vester
Scope: NationsUniversity is seeking to be accredited. Accreditation is a process that
gives public recognition that the University meets certain standards. The Accrediting
Commission sets these standards and those procedures that must be followed to
establish that the standards have been met. Insuring compliance is a critical function
of the division of Academic Affairs.
The Accrediting Commission has established twelve standards that must be met and
maintained in order for the Unviersity to be accredited. These are
1. Have a clearly defined and stated mission, goals, and objectives
2. State its educational objectives clearly and offer sufficiently comprehensive,
accurate, up-to-date, educationally sound instructional materials and methods
to meet its educational objectives
3. Provide adequate student services
4. Provide adequate examination services and attention to individual student differences
5. Have students who express satisfaction with the instruction and services received,
and have an outcomes assessment plan
6. Have a qualified faculty
7. Enroll only students who can be expected to benefit from the instruction
8. Be honest in its advertising and promotional practices
9. Show financial resources that are adequate to carry out all obligations to students
10. Use fair and equitable tuition and refund policies that meet the minimum tuition
cancellation policies
11. Have adequate facilities, equipment, and record protection
12. Conduct continuous research and self-improvement studies
The tasks involved in validating these criteria are show below.
(1) Initial accreditation
Task: Steps for initial accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation are outlined in
appropriate materials.
(2) Renewal of accreditation: every five years
(3) Assessment procedures, evaluation, and reports
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