V404.02 EXTENDED LEARNING @ VCSU
Extended Learning @ VCSU is an outreach unit of the university that makes the resources of the institution available in a variety of ways. It provides a flexible framework for programs, courses, and activities that are outside the traditional university structure. Professional and extended education is used broadly to describe a range of educational programs, courses, and activities.
Extended Learning @ VCSU functions as an administrative, financial, and assessment entity responsible for supporting professional and extended education activities held on and off the university campus. It oversees extended learning classroom quality, facilitates curriculum/course design and development, and facilitates marketing strategies. Extended Learning @ VCSU is responsible for the collection and disbursement of fees associated with university sponsored or co-sponsored professional and extended education activities. While fees are collected for these activities, some activities have other sources of financial support.
Extended Learning @ VCSU is a self-supporting entity at Valley City State University and all relevant policies apply.
Policies and Procedures for Professional Development Courses (Course number 700)
The following policies and procedures guide decision-making for Extended Learning @ VCSU in reference to "700" professional development courses. These policies establish minimum standards and qualifications which courses may exceed. Please refer to the Extended Learning website for specific information and resources www.vcsu.edu/extend. Policies 1.0 through 4.0 are oriented toward the institution and faculty. Policies 5.0 are oriented toward the student.
Outline
1.0 Institutional Policy
2.0 Graduate Professional Development Credit
3.0 Faculty Requirements
4.0 Course Requirements
5.0 Student Enrollment
1.0 Institutional Policy
1.1 Course Numbering
- 1.1.1 The course number used for graduate professional development courses is 700.
- 1.1.2 Graduate courses recorded with a 700 number may not be used as part of a degree program at VCSU.
1.2 Course Proposals
- 1.2.1 A course proposal form (# 1) is required for all graduate professional development courses.
- 1.2.2 Professional development course proposal forms require approval by the department and division/school providing the subject for the course.
- 1.2.3 Professional development course department is determined by prefix.
- 1.2.4 Professional development course proposal forms require approval by the VPAA.
1.3 Course Fees
- 1.3.1 Professional development courses which impart no financial burden on the institution may be charged a recording or grading fee only.
- 1.3.2 A technology fee may be charged for online professional development courses supported by VCSU technology.
- 1.3.3 Other course fees may be charged as determined.
1.4 Course Assessment
- 1.4.1 Courses offered through @ VCSU will be assessed based on the course and campus-wide assessment plan of the University.
2.0 Graduate Professional Development
2.1 Courses
- 2.1.1 Graduate professional development courses taught through @ VCSU are self supporting and all relevant policies apply.
- 2.1.2 The fee(s) charged for graduate professional development courses is allocated and distributed to help defray costs for creating, maintaining, and delivering the courses.
- 2.1.3 Fees paid to faculty will be stated in a contract with the faculty member.
- 2.1.4 Graduate professional development courses taught by VCSU faculty are taught off-load.
- 2.1.5 Graduate professional development courses are not available for audit.
3.0 Faculty Requirements
3.1 Graduate Professional Development Instructors
- 3.1.1 Instructors intending to teach a graduate professional development course must submit a course proposal form (# 1) and course syllabus (# 2).
- 3.1.2 Proposals must be approved by division/school chair/dean and department chair.
- 3.1.3 Instructors teaching graduate professional development courses must hold a masters degree or higher.
- 3.1.4 Resumes must be on file in the Extended Learning @ VCSU office for all instructors who are not currently VCSU faculty before the beginning of the course.
- 3.1.5 Guest lecturers may be used, but may teach no more than 25% of the course.
- 3.1.6 At least 75% of a course must be taught by an individual with an advanced degree.
4.0 Course Requirements
4.1 Syllabus
- 4.1.1 A syllabus must be submitted with each course proposal and should follow the professional development outline format (# 2).
4.2 Grading
- 4.2.1 Courses may be offered in either an S & U or graded format. Faculty requesting the graded format must include a grading rubric with the course proposal.
- 4.2.2 The grading rubric should contain expectations for each course objective that reflect the qualitative decisions the instructor will make about the student's work to determine each particular letter grade.
4.3 Course Delivery
- 4.3.1 Face-to-face courses require 15 instructor contact hours for each credit hour. In addition, out of class study time of two hours for each contact hour or 30 hours is expected.
- 4.3.2 Online courses are expected to require the same amount of student effort as face-to-face courses.
5.0 Student Enrollment
5.1 Admission
- 5.1.1 Admission to VCSU is not required for enrollment in a professional development course; and enrollment does not ensure admission to VCSU. Individuals interested in enrolling in degree eligible credit activities must complete application procedures through the Graduate Office.
5.2 Registration
- 5.2.1 Graduate professional development courses are not degree eligible.
- 5.2.2 Students are required to fill out the Professional Development Registration Form # 3 for admittance into the course.
5.3 Fees
- 5.3.1 There will be no out-of-state tuition rate
- 5.3.2 Tuition waivers may not be applied to professional development courses.
- 5.3.3 There will be no admission fee charged for professional development courses as they will not count toward a program.
- 5.3.4 Other fees may be charged based on self-support procedures.
Forms
Approving Body: Faculty Senate
Sponsor: Director of Extended Learning
Approved: March 2010
