Meadows School of the Arts Faculty Teaching Loads

The Meadows School has no teaching load policy other than that of the University at large. The University policy, articulated in the University Policy Manual (section 6.2), identifies a full load as 12 hours or the equivalent. This equates to four three-credit courses per semester, scaled back to accommodate research, administrative, or other assigned activities. In Meadows, the interpretation of this differs from division to division due to the nature of the teaching and scholarly/creative work, but most divisions have settled on the equivalent of three three-credit courses per semester plus scholarly/creative productivity.

Other important considerations are:

Chairs/directors have authority over course load assignments and are responsible for balancing individual and departmental needs and resources.

More contact hours are normally assigned to those who teach courses that call for less outside preparation and follow-up.

Load reductions to accommodate administrative assignments are at the discretion of the chair/director.

Loads are not determined by academic rank, nor are load adjustments to be made as rewards, punishments, or favors.

Recent comparison with national statistics shows that we are in line with teaching loads at comparable institutions around the nation.

Our mission includes delivering the best teaching we can, and our students deserve the best teachers we have. Our faculty includes some wonderfully experienced and expert people across the disciplines we offer, and the very best of them are unfailingly the ones who relish their teaching.