Northcentral University

NCU Faculty Handbook | Faculty Non-Teaching Roles and Responsibilities | 37 Faculty Role in Assessment The Office of Planning and Institutional Effectiveness (OPIE), in conjunction with School Assessment Directors, faculty members have a central role in assessment activities. Faculty members' roles in assessing student learning, developing assessment rubrics, and other assessment activities are outlined in detail in the NCU Institutional Assessment Handbook located on OPIE's FRANK site. For example, faculty assess specific program and institutional learning outcomes with the use of faculty developed and committee approved rubrics. Additionally, faculty serve on the Assessment Committee of the AAC, which helps to structure and guide the assessment activities of the University. Faculty Role in Curriculum Development Northcentral follows centralized instructional design process for course development. An overview of this process can be found in Northcentral's Course Development Guideline and Best Practices. These guidelines support the development of quality courses to provide students with meaningful, applicable learning within their specialization, and the opportunity to gain the skills and knowledge necessary to be successful in their field. The Instructional Design and Development Department maintains the Course Development Guidelines and the document is updated at the direction of the Curriculum Committee of the AAC when new guidelines are identified or improvements are indicated by evidence collected in course evaluations and program reviews. Updates are made with the participation of all Schools. Course Development Course development occurs through collaboration between faculty members who serve as curriculum Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), School Curriculum Directors, and Instructional Designers. These parties work together to ensure that course curriculum is relevant and timely in all areas of study. Course Revisions Course revisions may occur when any of the following take place: • The textbook(s) is retired or the edition updated. • Technological changes. • Updates and enhancement to ensure currency with the industry or discipline. • The course is identified and scheduled for full revision. Revisions are scheduled based on several criteria. Full course revisions are initiated by Curriculum Directors and occur through collaboration among faculty members who serve as Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) and Instructional Designers. Full course revisions adhere to Northcentral Curriculum Development Guidelines and Best Practices and follow an instructional design process documented in these guidelines. If a textbook goes out of print or a minor technology change occurs, the School decides if a revision only addresses the particular issue or if the course should undergo a full revision. If the School determines a course or specialization needs to be retired, the school initiates the process to end date and retire the course(s).

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