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Building an Online MSW Program from the Ground Up Mary Ann Forgey Cathy Berkman

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Who has implemented an online MSW degree program? Who offers some online courses but not a full MSW degree program? Who is in the planning phase of an online MSW degree program or courses? Audience Poll

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Developmental Phases: Tasks and Challenges 1.Emergence of idea 2.Proposal development 3.Obtaining buy-in 4.Accreditation 5.Governance structure 6.Course production 7.Curriculum integrity 8.Growth

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1 Emergence and Initial Presentation of the Idea

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Emergence and Initial Presentation of the Idea Faculty driven CSWE day workshop Present idea of online courses to Dean Full-day workshop with Paul Freddolino Formed Ad Hoc Committee Emergence and Initial Presentation of the Idea

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TASKS Introduce idea to faculty and administrators Educate yourselves about online education Form core group CHALLENGES Gaining administrative support for exploring initiative Obtaining resources for learning about online education

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2 Proposal Development

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Started with idea of a few courses Guidance from JesuitNet online MSW Jointly developed proposal with: o Ad Hoc Committee o JesuitNet o Administration Proposal Development

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ComponentGSS Delivery of ContentCompletely Online & Asynchronous Duration of course8 weeks # of courses at a time1 # of courses / yearFall: 2, Spring: 2, Summer: 1 Duration of program4 years Geographic Boundaries 50 miles from GSS campus NY, CT, NJ ComponentGSS Production Faculty Voluntary Previously taught course Compensation Teaching Faculty First time: course producer Subsequent: adjuncts allowed TA Support as Needed Class Size 15 Admissions Criteria Same as Face-to-Face Program Curriculum OversightSame as Face-to-Face Program Choices Made

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Proposal Development TASKS Determine program design o Synchronous and/or asynchronous o Scheduling o Size: class, total program o Budget Identify experts to develop program components CHALLENGES Vetting experts before you have adequate knowledge

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3 Obtaining Buy-In and Approval from Administrators and Faculty

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Worked through our governance structure Anticipated and addressed concerns Invited faculty from other Fordham program to share their experience with us Informal networking Obtaining Buy-In and Approval from Administrators and Faculty

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TASKS Develop a realistic time line for proposal refinement and approval Get faculty support through education and open discussion Use governance structure CHALLENGES Understanding and inviting the resistance Allow the necessary time

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4 State Accreditation

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JesuitNet and Mary Ann Forgey wrote application to NY State Education Dept Assistance from GSS Associate Dean and Provosts office Application: o Content is same as in-class o Different delivery method State Accreditation

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TASKS Write application to state education department for accreditation of online program CHALLENGES Availability of and collaboration between: Faculty Online education expert University accreditation specialist

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5 Developing a Governance Structure

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INITIALLY Ad Hoc Committee Online Faculty Committee Distance Education Advisory Committee o Director of Online Program o 4 faculty teaching in program o 1 faculty from not teaching online o 5 administrators Parallel structure problematic NOW Strategic Advisory Committee Online Faculty Committee University: Online Learning Group ad hoc Provost Committee Developing a Governance Structure

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TASKS Develop structure that allows appropriate faculty control and input: Curriculum content Delivery of online courses Other programmatic decisions Desired level of integration with face-to-face program CHALLENGES Adjust structure when needed Avoid structure or process that silos online program

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6 Course Development and Production

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Full-time faculty developed courses o $5000 stipend o Voluntary Experiential education & training Course production o JesuitNet: instructional & graphic design o Internal production & contract for graphic design Course Development and Production

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TASKS Identify faculty to develop courses Vet instructional design consultants Develop realistic timeline for development & production Clarify roles for development & production Educate & train faculty in online pedagogy and methods Develop or clarify IP policy CHALLENGES Adequate resources for development & production Reaching consensus on roles and collaboration between: o Faculty o School of SW o University Provost, IT, network group o Contractor

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7 Maintaining Curriculum Integrity

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Adjunct training and supervision Drafted manual o Standardize teaching procedures Evaluation o Student course evaluations (same as in-class) o Individual initiative to assess equivalency Maintaining Curriculum Integrity

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TASKS Monitor equivalency to F-to-F class syllabus Implement adjunct training and supervision Develop and implement an evaluation plan CHALLENGES Clarifying who will do what: o Adjunct training and supervision o Evaluation Resources for faculty tasks to maintain integrity

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8 Planning and Managing Program Growth

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Exploring if and how to grow o University level Internal vs. external Choice of platform o School level Exploration stage Planning standardized evaluation methods Planning course revision and new electives Planning and Managing Growth

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TASKS Develop plan for: Growth: desired and feasible Evaluation: maintaining integrity Revision: staying current (methods and content) CHALLENGES Developing a shared understanding about goals and resources: o within school o with university Demand on faculty time: o Recruiting, training, supervising adjunct faculty o Planning and implementation tasks Time and resources necessary to achieving state-of-the art program