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Teaching with UMUC Europe

On related pages:

• Stateside Teaching Application - For Stateside applicants
• European Teaching Application (Adobe Acrobat version) * - For applicants in Europe applying to teach only in Europe

(Note: If you are interested in teaching while deployed in the Balkans or Middle East, please complete the "European Teaching Application" and send it as soon as possible to the UMUC Europe Headquarters.)

Thank you for your interest in teaching with UMUC Europe. We hope the information here will help you understand how faculty assignments are made, and decide whether and how to apply.

About UMUC Europe

University of Maryland University College (UMUC) is one of the 11 degree-granting institutions of the University System of Maryland (USM). UMUC has three components: UMUC Europe, UMUC Asia, and the stateside programs in Adelphi, Maryland. UMUC, which was founded on the principle that education is a lifelong process, offers degree and professional training programs for adults in Maryland, the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area, and in foreign countries around the globe. In Europe, UMUC offers a number of undergraduate liberal arts programs. USM institution Bowie State University (BSU) joined UMUC in Europe in 1993 to provide master's degree programs for the overseas military community.

UMUC has served the American military in Europe since 1949. Courses are offered in cooperation with the Education Centers on U.S. Army, Air Force, and Navy installations throughout the European Command. Currently, this involves approximately 100 locations in 20 countries. At present, the UMUC Europoe is divided into three administrative units, each in the charge of a Service Program: Program Director, Army; Program Director, Air Force, Program Director, Navy.

Classes meet in various locations, such as Education Center buildings, local DoDDS schools, or other facilities. Although most class meetings are scheduled three hours per night for two nights a week, classes are also held at noontime, in the late afternoon, and on weekends. UMUC ensures that students receive 16 classroom hours of instruction for each semester hour of credit earned in a course. At nearly all locations, the academic year consists of five eight-week terms -- two in the fall, two in the spring, and one in the summer.

With the exception of some "special topics" courses, the courses available through UMUC Europe are identical to those taught on the home campuses in Maryland. As a result, undergraduate and graduate courses carry resident credit, transferable to other American colleges and universities. The Undergraduate and Graduate Catalogs list the courses most frequently offered in Europe.

A variety of subject areas is offered at all levels. Students are able to earn UMUC Certificates, Associate of Arts, Bachelor of Science, and Bachelor of Arts degrees; BSU and UMUC Master of Arts, Master of Science, and Master of Education degrees.

Students

Military and civilian personnel sponsored by the Department of Defense or other federal agencies, and their family members, are eligible to apply for admission to UMUC Europe. Since most students attend class after a full day's work and since many have family responsibilities, these adults are usually highly motivated individuals. Because of their sacrifices for self-improvement through education, they invariably earn the respect of their UMUC faculty members.

Each year, approximately 900 students finish associate degrees, another 750 complete baccalaureate degrees, and some 225 earn master's degrees through Maryland institutions in Europe. Because most students are overseas on only two- or three-year tours, many undergraduates transfer UMUC credits earned in Europe to colleges and universities in the United States.

Faculty

There are two major faculty categories: Collegiate and Adjunct.

Collegiate faculty hold teaching appointments that normally cover one academic year. These faculty are usually recruited in the United States and appointed to teach in Europe or Asia. To qualify for a Collegiate appointment, the applicant usually must have a doctorate as well as meet University requirements for teaching in an additional discipline. Faculty members with qualifications in more than one discipline help make it possible for the University to offer a wider range of courses at smaller locations.

Collegiate faculty are usually contracted to teach the equivalent of eight three-semester-hour courses in the first four terms (August through May) of the academic year. Thus, the normal full teaching load is 12 hours per week. Some faculty holding annual appointments are required to relocate as needed to different locations and countries during the academic year.

Potential applicants for Collegiate positions who are in Europe and who wish to teach only in Europe should direct their inquiries and correspondence to the Director, UMUC Europe. Other potential applicants should send their inquiries to the Overseas Program Office:

Faculty Recruitment
Overseas Programs
University of Maryland University College
3501 University Boulevard East
Adelphi, Maryland 20783

 

No Collegiate appointments are made in foreign language instruction.

Adjunct faculty constitute the largest group of faculty members for UMUC Europe. As the designation suggests, such faculty members are appointed to teach a specific course (or courses) each term. Most Adjunct faculty do not move from location to location; they teach courses for which they are qualified when offered at installations near their homes. A large number of these faculty holds positions with European universities; others are U.S. servicemembers, Department of Defense employees, or persons in private business. These are faculty whose major incomes are derived from other sources.

Many Adjunct faculty in high-demand disciplines teach a "full load" (two three-semester-hour courses per term or the equivalent) and are employed exclusively by UMUC Europe. U.S. citizens or NATO nationals who are not residents of the country in which they teach may be eligible for logistical support (military exchange, commissary, and other privileges) through UMUC sponsorship.

Salaries for American Adjunct faculty are comparable to those at major continuing-education institutions in the United States. Local national faculty members are compensated at comparable teaching rates in their countries.

Over the years, UMUC's success has been based upon the quality of teaching and learning in the classroom. For this reason, efforts are focused on helping faculty enhance their own teaching skills. The Associate Dean, Assistant Deans, and Graduate Program Coordinators work actively with faculty members in all matters relating to effective teaching and learning. The Associate Dean, Assistant Deans, and Program Directors visit classes to help faculty members assess their pedagogical strengths and weaknesses. Professional development workshops and academic discipline meetings bring faculty together to discuss course objectives and methods and exchange experiences with colleagues. Participation in professional scholarly meetings is encouraged, and underwritten when funds are available, but the major emphasis is on teaching.

It is especially important for prospective applicants to understand that teaching excellence alone is not sufficient for faculty members in UMUC's overseas programs. The ability to live and work successfully in the military setting is also critical to each faculty member's professional effectiveness. Without compromising academic standards, faculty members need to be sympathetically aware of the special stresses that can affect the lives of servicemembers and family members who also are students. Faculty need to become acquainted with those who staff the Army, Air Force, and Navy Education Centers that support the courses UMUC offers. Without their expertise and hard work, the UMUC program in Europe would not be possible. These and other topics are covered during the orientations for new faculty.

Scheduling Classes

Courses in Europe are offered through Education Centers operated by the U.S. military services and normally headed by government personnel employed as an Education Services Officer (ESO), Education Services Specialist (ESS), or Counselor. Closely involved with ESOs, ESSs, and Counselors are the Field Representatives from each American academic institution offering educational programs to U.S. personnel. These other institutions provide curricula ranging from high school completion to graduate work.

UMUC classes are scheduled each term by Area Directors and the Director, Graduate Programs, in conjunction with ESOs, ESSs, and/or Counselors. In developing term schedules for an Education Center, the ESO, Program Director, and Director, Graduate Programs consider the curricular needs of the student population at that Center. These are assessed by the ESO and other Center staff, keeping in mind the course requirements for degrees.

Most undergraduates in liberal arts curricula need General Education Requirement (GER) courses: the GER is a part of all UMUC associate and baccalaureate programs. Freshman and sophomore classes fulfilling the GER make up most of the UMUC schedule. Lower-level foreign language courses are also scheduled frequently at many Education Centers. Depending on student interest, career/technical programs are also offered.

Staffing Classes

It is the primary responsibility of a Program Director to staff all classes with well-qualified faculty. Program Directors are assisted in this effort by Assistant Deans. These individuals, who serve as representatives of UMUC's academic departments, oversee and provide academic support in business and economics, computer studies, English and communication, foreign languages, humanities, mathematics, science, and social sciences.

For BSU graduate programs, the Director, Graduate Programs, has the same relationship with the ESO as does a Program Director. Working together (with academic support from the Graduate Program Coordinators), they develop long-range projected schedules that facilitate the students' completion of master's degrees during their tours of duty. The Director, Graduate Programs, is responsible for staffing these courses with faculty who meet BSU requirements for teaching graduate courses.

Student Enrollments

The sole source of income for UMUC Europe is tuition. The minimum average enrollment per class is determined by contract with the educational branches of the Army, Air Force, and Navy. To maintain financial viability, UMUC classes must realize the numbers of enrollments established by these contracts.

Student enrollments are difficult to predict because of frequent military exercises and the many demands facing adult part-time students. Sometimes a class becomes so large that it must be split into two separate classes. At other times, a scheduled class will draw so few students that it must, regrettably, be cancelled. Thus, every term at every Education Center presents a challenge.

Applying to Teach As an Adjunct Faculty Member

After you read this file, examine an Undergraduate and/or Graduate Catalog and complete the application form. Your next step is to communicate with the Program Director responsible for the geographic area in which you reside or expect to reside and/or with the Director, Graduate Programs. Your cover letter can amplify your qualifications by describing noteworthy aspects of your education, teaching, and related professional activities. Please include copies of your transcripts and a current resume. They will help determine which courses you may be approved to teach.

Distance Education

UMUC Europe is especially interested in applicants with the expertise to teach undergraduate and graduate classes online using UMUC's proprietary Web-based educational delivery software, WebTycho. Please see the faculty home page or Distance Education pages for more information about teaching online with WebTycho.

Relocating

Some applicants have not established a residence and are prepared to locate wherever their teaching skills are needed. If you can consider this option, indicate that on your application form and, if you wish, add an amplifying note in your cover letter. Some UMUC Adjunct faculty are willing to relocate occasionally within the various geographic areas, preferring to be wandering scholars. You may wish to consider this option. Qualified applicants who can make themselves available where needs arise enhance their chances of being employed.

Approval Process

Although the Program Directors and Director, Graduate Programs, are always interested in the applications of well-qualified teachers, their initial responses may vary depending on their needs at the moment. They may have no foreseeable need for an additional faculty member to staff the courses that you might be approved to teach. In that case, you will probably be notified that your file will remain active until a position becomes available.

If a Program Director or the Director, Graduate Programs, anticipates a reasonable chance of offering you classes, they will initiate the process of requesting approvals to teach. At this point, it may be advisable for you to try to meet personally with these individuals. It may be possible to arrange a meeting at one of the Education Centers close to your home. Applications to teach courses in business and management, computer studies, English, foreign languages, the humanities, mathematics and science, and the social sciences also will be reviewed by the Assistant Deans responsible for these fields. Interviews will be arranged whenever possible.

To determine the specific courses you are approved to teach, your completed file (including application, transcripts, certificates, resume, and reference letters) is reviewed by the Assistant Deans. For a general idea of the credentials required for teaching, please refer to the Requirements section of this file. You should not expect teaching approvals for any courses outside your graduate area(s) of concentration. Once you receive approval, the Program Director or Director, Graduate Programs, as part of the process of formulating term schedules, will make tentative teaching assignments. Should you be needed to teach a course, you will be contacted and sent the necessary textbooks and teaching materials. Because UMUC Europe conducts classes on military installations, you may also receive forms for a Department of Defense National Agency Check. Once your scheduled course is definite, you will be sent an Appointment Agreement for that course.

Guidelines for Completing the Application to Teach

The academic departments rely fully on your documentation to reach a decision on a request for approval to teach specific courses. Thus, in completing your application, you should supply as much pertinent information as possible concerning your areas of expertise. Applicants who attended institutions which issue transcripts should have these submitted as soon as possible.

If your college or university does not issue transcripts, you must find other ways to document the nature of your studies. Among the materials which would prove helpful are copies of your course and program descriptions, diplomas and certificates, Studienb|cher, copies of seminar reports, publications, titles of papers written, and statements from your references about your studies. The more documents you supply and the more specific they are, the greater your chances of having the evaluation completed within the normal time frame and of being approved for the appropriate course(s).

Before submitting your application, please be sure you have done the following:

1. Fully completed all items on the form.
2. Listed three academic references.
3. Arranged for all undergraduate and graduate transcripts to be submitted. (If you attended institutions that do not issue transcripts, include the appropriate documentation.)
4. Attached copies of any relevant certificates.
5. Included a resume.

Requirements for Teaching Undergraduate Liberal Arts

Accounting

A master's degree in accounting is the minimum requirement for teaching Principles of Accounting. Candidates with a master's degree in business or a related field who have earned a bachelor's in accounting and a CPA or CMA may be considered.

Anthropology

A doctorate or extensive work beyond the master's. Applicants may be approved to teach only those courses directly related to their graduate concentration.

Art History

A doctorate or active work toward it, or a master's plus extensive background and experience. Graduate work must be in art history and not in the studio arts.

Business and Management

A master's degree is required as the minimum academic preparation for all business and management courses. Approvals for upper-level business and management courses will be extended only for areas supported by a concentration (at least three courses) of graduate work.

Business Law (BMGT 378, 380, 381)

A J.D. degree with concentration in areas pertinent to business.

Chemistry

At least a master's degree or equivalent in chemistry, chemical engineering, or a related field. A Ph.D. is preferred. Other factors considered include recency of exposure to chemistry, laboratory experience, teaching experience, and academic references.

Communication

A master's degree or Ph.D. in technical communication, business communication, or science writing; or a master's degree or Ph.D. in English or rhetoric. Lecturers should also have significant work experience in these fields and the equivalent of two years of college teaching in communication or writing.

Computer Studies

A master's degree or Ph.D. in computer science or information systems management, or a related area. Lecturers must also have professional experience with computers, have college-level teaching experience in one of the computer studies disciplines, and be proficient in using sophisticated micro-computers in an instructional setting.

Criminal Justice and Criminology

A master's degree or Ph.D. in criminal justice or criminology. Applicants who hold higher degrees in sociology or law enforcement with specialization in criminology also will be considered.

Economics

A master's degree in economics is the minimum requirement for teaching Principles of Economics. Approvals for upper-level economics courses will be extended to those areas of economics supported by a concentration (at least three courses) of graduate course work.

Education

Applicants should have a doctorate and professional experience in the specialty they are seeking to teach. Applicants without the doctorate may be considered if they have completed extensive work beyond the master's, have earned the appropriate professional certification, and have college teaching experience. Approval can be given only for courses directly related to the applicant's graduate concentration.

English

A master's degree in English language or literature. Prefer two years or more of experience teaching American students at the college/university level.

Foreign Language

An American master's degree in the language or the European equivalent. Prefer training in linguistics and previous experience teaching the language to American adults. A Ph.D. is required to teach life and culture courses.

Geology

A master's degree in geology. A doctorate or work toward it and/or teaching experience preferred.

Government and Politics

A doctorate or extensive work beyond the master's degree. Approvals will extend only to the course(s) directly related to the applicant's graduate concentration. Holders of an undergraduate and graduate degree in political science with teaching experience may be considered for a limited number of courses.

History

A doctorate or extensive work beyond the master's degree. Approvals will extend only to the course(s) directly related to the applicant's graduate courses and graduate concentration. Holders of an undergraduate and graduate degree in history with teaching experience may be considered for a limited number of courses.

Library Skills

A master's in library science is the preferred degree for candidates who wish to teach LIBS 150. Persons who hold at least the master's in the humanities, social sciences or behavioral sciences may be considered if they recently have done graduate level research in American college, university, or research libraries.

Life Sciences

A master's degree in biology, botany, or zoology. A doctorate or work toward it and/or teaching experience preferred.

Mathematics

The minimum of a master's degree or equivalent in mathematics, engineering, physics or a math-related field. A Ph.D. is preferred. Other factors considered include recency of exposure to mathematics, extent of teaching experience, and academic references.

Paralegal

A J.D. degree with professional experience in the field.

Philosophy

A doctorate or extensive work beyond the master's degree. Approvals will extend only to the course(s) directly related to the applicant's graduate concentration. Holders of an undergraduate and graduate degree in philosophy with teaching experience may be considered for a limited number of courses.

Physics

At least a master's degree or equivalent in physics or in a related field such as electrical or nuclear engineering. A Ph.D. is preferred. Other factors considered include recency of exposure to physics, extent of teaching experience, and academic references.

Psychology

A Ph.D. is preferred. Holders of an undergraduate and graduate degree in psychology who have had a minimum of three years' teaching experience in psychology may be provisionally approved for a limited number of courses.

Sociology

A doctorate or extensive work beyond the master's degree. Approvals will extend only to the course(s) directly related to the applicant's graduate concentration. Holders of an undergraduate and graduate degree in sociology with teaching experience may be considered for a limited number of courses.

Speech

A master's degree in speech communication. A degree in speech pathology is not appropriate for approval to teach SPCH 100.

Theater

A master's degree in drama or a master's in speech with a concentration in drama.

Requirements for Teaching Graduate Disciplines

Bowie State University offers the M.A. in Administrative Management-Public Administration, the M.S. in Management Information Systems, and the M.A. and M.Ed. in Counseling.

Counseling

A doctorate in counseling or a related field. NBCC, School Counselor, or other recognized counseling certification desired.

Management Information Systems

A master's degree or doctorate in information systems management, computer science, computer studies or related field. Faculty must also have professional experience with computers in an academic or business setting.

Public Administration

A doctorate in public administration. Professional experience in an academic, research or government service position is desired.

Last updated: 13 October 2009