Faculty Responsibilities

Before your teaching assignment begins, please review the teaching checklist and the summary information below to ensure that you are prepared for your course.

• Syllabus: Faculty members must make available to students and the School of Continuing Studies a written description (syllabus) of each course they will teach. Faculty are expected to post their syllabus on their course Blackboard site two weeks before class begins and email a copy to SCS administration.
• Course Materials: Faculty members are responsible for ordering books and other required materials for teaching in advance of class.
• Student Communication: Faculty members are expected to be available to assist students outside of class time whether via office hours, email, and phone, or some other alternative, accessible method for communicating outside class. All SCS faculty are required to maintain an active Northwestern University email account during the term in which they are teaching.
• Assessment and Grading: Faculty members are responsible for informing students in their classes of the criteria and methods to be used in determining final course grades. Graded examinations and papers should be provided for student inspection and discussion with the instructor. During term, tests and quizzes should be graded and returned to students within a reasonable time. Faculty are required to keep student papers, exams, etc. at least six months after the end of the term. If necessary, these may be kept on file at the School of Continuing Studies. If you are utilizing a teaching assistant to assist with grading, please be aware that you responsible for all work carried out by teaching assistants.
• Final Course Grades: Faculty members are expected to submit final course grades through CAESAR by the deadline provided on the academic calendar. Students often rely on this information for employer reimbursement, and the University is committed to communicating grades to students in a timely fashion.