Description
About the Job
This is an affiliate faculty position (sometimes called adjunct faculty at other colleges) with CCU’s online College of Adult and Graduate Studies (CAGS).
CAGS offers online classes that are fully asynchronous using our learning management system (Brightspace). Classes typically meet for five weeks, always have adult students, and never (for this position) require synchronous meetings. Courses are prebuilt by a centralized Faculty Design team that provides all the necessary syllabi and instructional materials to teachers and students. This allows the teacher to focus on building relationships, instructing psychology principles, and communicating the love of Jesus Christ in a conservative, Christian environment.
Upon submitting a resume and application, candidates selected for the next steps are offered the opportunity to complete a one-way video interview. The CCU Human Resources department reviews this video interview, which, if deemed in line with CCU’s beliefs and mission, is sent to the Dean of Behavior and Social Sciences (SBSS) for further review. The SBSS Dean and possibly others will interview selected candidates to determine if the candidate is a good match for CCU, CAGS, and SBSS. All candidates will be notified of the outcome of the hiring process.
Those selected join the CAGS Affiliate Faculty pool and are vetted to teach courses based on their qualifications and relevant experience. Course offers are individually contracted and determined based on student enrollment and how many other faculty are in their respective area of expertise.
Affiliates are expected to learn about CCU and its policies through CCU’s Faculty Development team and will have a mentor for their first class teaching at CCU. Every faculty member must complete a brief yearly training to comply with federal, state, and CCU training requirements.
All affiliates are paid on a per-class contract basis and are classified as affiliate employees of CCU; affiliates are not considered regular part-time employees. Each affiliate can participate in the 403(b) plan, but affiliate faculty are not eligible for any matching contribution and do not qualify for other CCU benefits.
About CCU
Colorado Christian University is the premier interdenominational Christian university in Colorado and the Rocky Mountain region, delivering world-class education to thousands of students. The fully accredited, nonprofit University is located in Lakewood, Colorado, a suburb of Denver.
Colorado Christian University was founded in 1914. CCU’s motto is--grace and truth. This motto comes from John 1.14: “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (ESV)
CCU's mission is Christ-centered higher education transforming students to impact the world with grace and truth.
Colorado Christian University cultivates knowledge and love of God in a Christ-centered community of learners and scholars, with an enduring commitment to the integration of exemplary academics, spiritual formation, and engagement with the world. We envision graduates who think critically and creatively, lead with high ethical and professional standards, embody the character and compassion of Jesus Christ, treasure the gospel, and who thereby are prepared to impact the world in their callings.
CCU embraces an educational model that was present at the foundation of many of the great western and American universities. It is made up of three pillars—competence, character and Christ-centered faith. Secular universities have abandoned two of those pillars. We think this is a major oversight that eventually undermines education. Furthermore, we believe this classical educational model is both life-giving and greatly needed in our time.
A leader in higher education, CCU has been consistently ranked in the top two percent of colleges and universities nationwide for its core curriculum by the American Council of Trustees and Alumni. CCU has had ten consecutive years of enrollment growth and has been named one of the five fastest-growing master’s granting universities by The Chronicle of Higher Education.
CCU offers more than 100 degree program options for traditional and adult students through its two colleges--the College of Undergraduate Studies and the College of Adult and Graduate Studies. More than 10,000 students attend CCU on the main campus and online.
What is most appealing about working at CCU?
- Faith friendly: CCU’s culture is unique to higher education. Where else can you pursue academic excellence yet read the Holy Bible, pray with teammates and students at work, and work to impact our culture in support of Christian values?
- Convictionally Christian: As a university, we have an enduring commitment to Christ, his kingdom and the truth of God’s Word.
- Live out your calling: We are a traditional evangelical university where you can invest your God-given talents and abilities alongside coworkers and teammates, while having a profound influence on students as they deepen their relationship with Jesus Christ.
- Equip students for kingdom work: You can be a part of helping students discover their callings and preparing them for positions of significant leadership in the church, business, government, education, and other professions, as a key part of our University's Strategic Priorities.
We’re looking for candidates who have:
- Contribute to CCU’s mission: Christ-centered higher education transforming students to impact the world with grace and truth. Affiliate Faculty contribute to the University’s mission by enhancing and advancing exemplary academics, spiritual growth, and engagement with the world.
- A doctoral degree in psychology is required. Five to seven years of documented work experience in a field of study related to the desired teaching area is preferred.
- Appropriate certification and/or licensure may be required to teach some courses.
- Three to five years of successful higher education teaching experience preferred. Basic proficiency in technology and ability to use a learning management system (Brightspace) and. Microsoft Office software use is required.
- Knowledge of adult learning theory and effective teaching and learning in various formats is preferred. The ability to integrate personal faith in Christ and related topics with classroom learning is required.
- Engage with students through course resources (i.e., Zoom, faculty videos, online faculty office hours, etc.).
- A passion for higher education and a dedication to student success.
- Outstanding oral and written communication skills.
Key Job Duties
- Follow all CCU course policies and meet expectations according to established faculty guidelines and the respective faculty manuals, including timely grading of assignments, tests, papers, and final grade submission. Communicate with students in a timely manner. This includes Contacting students using the Brightspace e-mail system before class starts to welcome them.
- Communicate with students in a timely manner utilizing learning technology. Use the Brightspace notification system to communicate with students and check it regularly to assist and support students. Participating in the course and in threaded discussions as appropriate. Returning assignments in a timely manner with meaningful and helpful critiques. Using the Brightspace Grade Center for all assignments and returning all graded assignments to maintain a permanent record of student work.
- Commitment to the integration of Christian faith and learning in all courses.
- Class preparation and continual course maintenance required. Course maintenance includes updating assignment due dates in the calendar function in Brightspace and providing a phone number and e-mail address to students.
- Utilize Brightspace learning platform and other technological resources to enhance the learning experience of students as required. Faculty proactively seek out resources and collaborate with CAGS Faculty Development in learning how to effectively use these instructional assets.
- Teach and lead course content and course activities.
- Access Brightspace course shell one month before the course is scheduled to begin. Faculty prepare course per faculty expectations.
- Complete grading in accordance with provided rubrics, faculty guidelines, and faculty manual. Submit final grades for assignments and course. Grades must be turned in a maximum of 14 days after the last day of class. (Note: final payment will not be made until grades have been turned in.)
- Provide supplemental material that will enhance the class according to the experience and expertise of the faculty. Adhere to the course and course objectives for basic content.
- Maintain established office hours (minimum of two hours per week) when contracted for a course and be available for individual student consultations (during evenings and weekends for CAGS students).
- Participate in the faculty orientation program, bi-annual faculty meetings and other training & forums as required.
- Communicate promptly with appropriate parties, per training, if faced with any difficulties. Report errors, deficiencies, and misrepresentations and suggest improvement in course content to the Dean or Director of Curriculum.
Work Environment
This remote job requires access to and work on an internet-connected computer.
System Requirements
A positive course experience is highly dependent upon your computer system. Please check the following information to ensure you have met the minimum system requirements.
- Processor: 4 GHz minimum for PCs, or Mac equivalent (2.4 GHz dual core or better recommended)
- RAM: 2 GB DDR3 RAM (4 GB or higher recommended)
- Hard disk space: 50 GB (120 GB or higher recommended)
- Operating system: Windows 7 or higher (Windows PC), OS El Capitan (Mac)
- Internet connection: A high-speed Internet connection (Cable or DSL) is highly recommended. Some courses require download and upload of videos and other media.
- Screen Resolution: 1024x768 or higher
- Webcam: Either one that is built into your computer or an external one will do.
- Microphone: Most laptops and webcams have microphones built in. For the clearest sound, it is best to have an external microphone.
Software Requirements
You are required to use Microsoft Office products to grade word processing, spreadsheets, and presentations. You must have Office 2010 or newer to ensure the greatest compatibility for:
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft PowerPoint
Spiritual Requirements
- Committed follower of Jesus Christ, who believes there is no salvation apart from faith in his atonement on the cross, by grace alone becoming "born again" thus beginning a personal relationship with Christ, the Son of God.
- Able to effectively communicate personal faith and apply biblical principles and convictions in the workplace. Must have a strong sense of calling to the ministry of Colorado Christian University.
- Regularly attend and be engaged in meaningful involvement in a Bible-believing evangelical local church. Knowledgeable about the Word of God and passionate about Christian education.
- Must be a traditional evangelical Christian whose lifestyle is in consonance with sound Christian principles, is compatible with CCU’s Statement of Faith, and is in agreement with the Strategic Priorities promulgated by the University.
Review of applications will continue until the position is filled. Colorado Christian University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, ancestry, sex, age, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status. CCU is committed to an environment free from discrimination and harassment and calls on every member of the university community to be vigilant in deterring and reporting all violations. CCU does reserve the right to exercise preference on the basis of religion in all of its employment practices. All employees who work at CCU must demonstrate a spiritual testimony consistent with our evangelical mission and follow our lifestyle expectations.
