For colleges and universities this is the new age of
accreditation, assessment, and self-study, and all of these administrative
activities are having a profound effect on the teaching environment. Gone are
the good old days when anyone who worked in the profession, or had a particular
skill set, or even a proven track record as a successful illustrator, would be
invited to teach. These days, due to accreditation standards, economically
driven assessment requirements, and institutional policies, anyone teaching a
class must also have documented credentials such as a specific degree and/or
special certifications. Although this has long been a standard for tenured and
full-time educators, these rigorous requirements have not been strictly
enforced for adjunct and part-time teachers…until now. And, although not discussed here this is occuring in primary and secondary education as well.
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| © 2014 Don Arday. |
If you are an illustrator thinking of applying for a
teaching position, there is information that can be very helpful in making the
decision to try to enter the classroom that most adjuncts, part-timers, and
even full-time faculty may not be aware of.
The Big Picture
The US Government subsidizes nearly every educational
institution in the US in some part. Other institutions and foundations also
subsidize colleges and universities. Because of this schools must be
accountable for how they conduct themselves and how these funds are used.
Enter the accreditation organizations. These organizations
are the watchdogs hired by the government to monitor the activities and
performance of educational institutions for The US Department of Education and
others. “The US Secretary of Education recognizes accrediting agencies to
ensure that these agencies are, for the purposes of the Higher Education Act of
1965, as amended (HEA), or for other Federal purposes, reliable authorities
regarding the quality of education or training offered by the institutions or
programs they accredit.” The
accreditation reports generated also inform foundations and benefactors as
well, e.g., The National Science Foundation (NSF), The National Endowment for
the Arts (NEA), The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, etc.
Accreditation
Nearly every category in education has an accreditation
body, from the arts and humanities, to engineering and architecture, even to
teaching and educational practice. There are hundreds of accreditation
organizations.
The College of Imaging Arts and Sciences at RIT, where I
teach, is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design
Commission on Accreditation (NASAD) and the Middle States Commission on Higher
Education (MSCHE).
The National Association of Schools of Art and Design,
Commission on Accreditation accredits freestanding institutions and units
offering art/design and art/design-related programs (both degree- and
non-degree-granting), including those offered via distance education throughout
the United States. NASAD is the only accreditation organization focused
specifically on art and design programs.
Like many other regional accreditation bodies, and there are
many, most accreditation organizations like the Middle States Commission on Higher Education monitor all programs
within a college or university.
How NASAD and Regional Accreditors Affect Teaching
NASAD has established a number of standards for measuring
the accountability art and design education from the quality of student life to
classroom environment to curriculum delivery. Along with NASAD, most regional
accrediting organizations subscribe to the above standards and apply them
across all disciplines. There are many measures, too many to list. Here are three
key standards that have an effect on teaching illustration.
1. You must already have attained the degree level of the
students you are teaching, This means you can teach BFA, BA, or BS students if
you have a Bachelor’s Degree, but you cannot teach MFA, MA, or MS students. For
that you would need to have a Master’s Degree. Bachelor’s candidates cannot
teach other bachelor’s candidates, and likewise for master’s candidates. Also,
a person with an Associate’s Degree cannot teach bachelor’s students.
2. There must be a written curriculum for the course you are
teaching whether it is written by you or not. NASAD does require syllabi to be available for review, and they do look
at how the content of your syllabus coordinates with other courses in the
degree program, such as how the content satisfies as a pre-requisite to higher-level
courses. Most schools can provide you with a course outline with goals and
objectives, which can help you to develop your assignments. You should also
seek out other faculty in the degree program to find out what they are doing.
3. There must be a method of assessment for your course. The
school where you teach may provide this for you. You can also develop your own
method. Today colleges and universities assess course outcomes and student
performance well as your own teaching performance. Schools are using comprehensive
strategies that consist of drill down assessment to the program level and even to
individual courses. One aspect to NASAD, which differs from regional
accreditation organizations, is that NASAD actually views and judges the
quality of student work. For this reason it is important to document the work your
students produced in your class to provide evidence of your successes.
Know Your Rank and Job Status
When you are engaged as a teacher you will be given a title
or rank. Each rank has it’s own set of job responsibilities and expectations.
Tenured/Tenure Track Faculty
Status
Professors, associate professors, and assistant professors
comprise this body of faculty. They are full-time employees who receive full
benefits, i.e., health and life insurance, and retirement benefits.
Responsibilities
Tenure/tenure track faculty are required to teach, conduct
research/scholarship, and provide service.
Non-Tenure Track Faculty
Status
Visiting artists, artists in residence, senior lecturers,
lecturers, and instructors make up the non-tenure track faculty at colleges and
universities. They have full-time status and may receive full or partial
benefits.
Responsibilities
Non-tenure/tenure track faculty are required to teach and
provide service.
Part-Time Faculty
Status
Visiting artists and instructors who either who do not teach
full-time, or only teach for a limited length of time. With their part-time status and may
receive partial benefits or no benefits.
Responsibilities
Part-time faculty are required to teach and possibly provide
service.
Adjunct Faculty
Status
Part-time instructors who are usually limited in the number
of courses they can teach in a school year. It is the norm for adjuncts not to
receive benefits.
Responsibilities
Adjunct faculty are usually required only to teach.
Conclusion
Do your research. Know the academic environment you are
joining. Seek advice when in doubt about policies, procedures, and dealing with
the students in your program. Familiarize yourself with the Human Resources Department and employment requirements. Follow college guidelines. Consult the administrators of the program you teach in, such as the Program Chair and Administrative Chairs when you have questions. They have the answers, can help, and are willing to make your academic life
easier. While being an illustrator is a solo activity, teaching is a team endeavor.
