In higher education, a faculty model is the framework colleges and universities use to structure, assign and support their faculty. It outlines the various roles, such as full-time, part-time, adjunct and tenure-track, and defines expectations for teaching, research, service and student engagement.

Institutions adopt different faculty models based on their mission, size, funding and student needs. A research university may emphasize tenure-track roles with a strong focus on scholarship. In contrast, a teaching-focused college or online university might rely more on instructional or adjunct faculty. What matters most is that the model supports student learning and aligns with institutional goals.

Types of Faculty Roles in Higher Education

Under a given faculty model, faculty can hold a range of roles with varying responsibilities. These roles take many forms. For example, tenure-track professors typically balance teaching, research and service to earn tenure (job security) after a probationary period. Lecturers (or teaching professors) are often full-time educators who focus on instruction, often with minimal research duties, and may hold renewable contracts. Visiting professors or research faculty usually join temporarily to contribute specialized expertise (for a project or a set term). Professors of practice bring real-world experience into the classroom, often in applied fields like business, healthcare, or education.

Together, these positions enable institutions to tailor their faculty model to serve students best.

Full-time vs. Part-time Faculty Explained

A key distinction in faculty models is between full-time and part-time faculty, which affects responsibilities, job security and compensation.

Full-time faculty (including tenure-track, tenured and long-term contract faculty) typically have ongoing or multi-year appointments and are more integrated into campus life. They not only teach but also advise students, serve on committees, contribute to curriculum development and receive employment benefits (such as health insurance and paid leave).

Part-time faculty, often referred to as adjuncts, typically teach on a course-by-course or semester basis and are paid per course (or even by student). Adjuncts are usually not required or expected to participate in service or governance, and in many cases, they do not receive benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. The growing reliance on adjuncts provides institutions with flexibility, but it can also present challenges in terms of continuity and faculty support.

Tenure and Its Role in the Faculty Model

Many faculty models include a tenure system. Tenure is essentially an indefinite academic appointment that a professor earns after demonstrating excellence during a probationary period (usually five to seven years as an assistant professor). Once tenured, a faculty member has long-term job security and protection of academic freedom. As (AAUP), tenure provides professors with protection from dismissal except in cases of cause or extraordinary circumstances, such as severe misconduct, financial exigency or program closure.

Not all institutions offer tenure. Some colleges have moved away from the tenure system entirely, instead using contingent faculty appointments with renewable long-term contracts or performance-based employment models. , as of Fall 2022, only about one-third of faculty in the United States held tenure-line positions, while approximately 68% were employed in contingent roles without the protections or stability of tenure.

Governance and Decision-Making Power

Shared governance is a core feature of many higher education institutions. It refers to a collaborative decision-making process where faculty and academic leaders work together to shape academic policies and priorities. This model ensures that institutional decisions are informed by those directly involved in teaching and supporting students.

Faculty contribute to governance through committees, task forces or senates, helping shape curriculum, policies and hiring decisions. When implemented well, shared governance supports transparency, fosters collaboration and aligns academic decision-making.

Traditional Faculty Hierarchy: Ranks and Responsibilities

Institutions typically use a hierarchy of higher ed faculty ranks, each with defined roles and levels of responsibility.

• Adjunct faculty teach on a course-by-course basis. They bring professional expertise but are not expected to contribute beyond instruction.
• Lecturers are full-time and focus on teaching. They may be promoted within a teaching track based on excellence in instruction.
• Assistant professors are typically tenure-track and evaluated on teaching, research and service.
• Associate professors usually earn tenure and take on greater responsibilities, including mentoring.
• Full professors are senior faculty recognized for leadership and sustained contributions.
• Professors of practice focus on instruction and applied knowledge, often holding the rank of assistant, associate or full professor.
• Distinguished or Endowed Chairs are recognized for exceptional achievements and often lead major initiatives.

How ACE’s Structure Is Different

·¬ÇÑÊÓƵ (ACE) provides a helpful example of a faculty model tailored to a specific institutional context – a fully online, teaching-focused college. ACE follows a structured system with clearly defined faculty roles that prioritize teaching and student engagement. This approach supports both stability and flexibility, aligning with ACE’s online mission.

Key faculty roles at ACE include:

• Adjunct faculty teach individual courses and focus primarily on student support within the course.
• Core faculty are full-time and serve as academic leaders, providing mentoring, program oversight and instruction. Their primary responsibility is teaching. After several years, they may be promoted to senior core faculty.
• Instructional faculty are full-time and focus exclusively on teaching. Promotion to senior instructional faculty is based on performance and sustained contribution.
• Academic coordinators provide program-level leadership, support faculty development, supervise students in clinical or practicum experiences and also teach courses.
• Administrative faculty includes assistant provosts, department chairs and directors who oversee curriculum planning and manage the administrative operations of academic programs.

Future of Faculty Models in Higher Education

The landscape of higher ed faculty positions and models continues to evolve as higher education responds to emerging challenges and changing needs. One clear trend is the growing reliance on adjunct and other contingent faculty, a pattern likely to continue as colleges prioritize flexibility in staffing.

Online programs often recruit adjunct faculty from around the country to teach specialized courses on demand. Other models, such as teaching-only or research-only faculty roles, are emerging. Professors of practice are becoming more common, especially in applied fields. These models enable institutions to match faculty strengths with institutional needs more effectively.

ACE anticipates continued growth in its use of adjunct faculty. At the same time, ACE remains committed to maintaining a strong core of full-time faculty for consistency and leadership in academic programs. Although ACE does not offer tenure, it compensates with performance-based advancement paths and professional development to retain faculty. By providing promotions (e.g., to senior faculty status), sabbaticals and other incentives, ACE aims to support faculty morale and career growth in the absence of tenure.

There is no one-size-fits-all faculty model, but rather a diversification of models. Each institution will continue to refine the mix of faculty roles that best align with its mission, whether that’s a community college focusing on teaching and local workforce needs or a research university balancing global scholarship with undergraduate teaching.

Across all models, the keys to success are flexibility, transparency and intentional design. As higher education evolves, institutions have the opportunity to innovate, aligning faculty strengths with institutional priorities to enhance student learning and ensure long-term success.

What Is Curriculum Development in Higher Education?

Curriculum development is the strategic process colleges and universities use to design courses, academic programs and learning experiences. It’s the blueprint guiding what you learn, when you learn it and how each element connects to prepare you for your goals.

Think of it as the master plan behind your education. Every textbook, assignment and project is intentionally chosen to build a cohesive learning journey from where you are now to where you aim to be.

This process draws on insights from educational research, industry demands and student feedback to ensure programs are intellectually rigorous and relevant. Whether pursuing a professional certificate or an advanced degree, curriculum development shapes every step of your academic path.

Why You Should Care About Curriculum Development

Curriculum development directly affects your student experience. Here’s how a well-developed curriculum benefits you:

• Better classes: Strong design leads to well-organized, engaging courses where assignments and projects are connected and purposeful, not busywork.
• Career-aligned skills: Developers work with industry experts to ensure you learn what employers want–communication, data analysis and technical skills.
• Clearer learning paths: Thoughtful curriculum creates smarter course sequences and clarity about how each class fits your goals.
• Current, adaptable content: As industries evolve, so should education. Your learning addresses current workplace demands while developing critical thinking and adaptability for future careers.

When schools take curriculum development seriously, your education transforms from a series of courses into a strategic investment in success.

The Curriculum Development Process

Step-by-Step: How Colleges Develop a Curriculum

Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at how programs are designed:

1. Research market needs.
   • Development begins with environmental scans analyzing labor market trends, employer needs, accreditation requirements and successful practices. Student, faculty and alumni input ensures programs align with real-world opportunities.
2. Develop a learner profile.
   • Every student is different. Curriculum developers use learner analysis to understand students’ backgrounds, strengths, needs and aspirations.
3. Define learning objectives.
   • With research and student needs in mind, developers define clear and measurable learning objectives. These are the specific things you should know or be able to do by the end of the course. They reflect institutional values, program promises and employer expectations.
4. Design backwards.
   • Starting with the end in mind, developers work backward to design assessments, activities and materials. They create learning pathways addressing:
     • Which topics to cover
     • What assignments help you practice skills
     • Which resources, technology and activities make learning engaging
     • How to measure progress
5. Apply learning science.
   • Using cognitive science principles, developers:
     • Sequence content from simple to complex (scaffolding)
     • Manage cognitive load by avoiding information overload
     • Integrate active learning through discussions, multimedia and projects
     • Balance theory with application
6. Collaborate across disciplines.
   • Faculty, instructional designers, librarians, tech specialists and industry professionals work together. Subject matter experts ensure accuracy and relevance.
7. Pilot and refine.
   • Teams pilot new courses with small student groups, collect feedback, assess outcomes and refine designs before full roll-out. This quality assurance step helps ensure the final version is as strong as possible.
8. Launch and monitor.
   • After careful planning and testing, courses go live with systems in place for ongoing evaluation and improvement. From research to launch, every step focuses on helping you succeed academically and grow professionally.

Who Builds Your Curriculum? Meet the Curriculum Development Team

ACE courses aren’t created by just one person. It takes a team of experts:

• Academic chairs: These leaders oversee programs, ensuring courses meet standards and prepare you for today’s job market.
• Faculty members: Academic professionals who teach also help design what you learn. They use subject knowledge and classroom experience to shape lessons and assignments.
• Subject matter experts: Field professionals verify courses teach skills employers want, keeping education practical and current.
• Curriculum developers: The architects of your learning experience design and review course materials, ensuring everything aligns with educational standards and industry requirements.
• Instructional designers: These team members build courses on the online platform, creating accessible, visually engaging and easy-to-navigate materials for a seamless online learning experience.

This collaborative team enhances teaching and improves learning outcomes, guaranteeing quality education that leads to meaningful learning.

What Makes Curriculum Strong?

A strong curriculum goes beyond a list of classes. Here’s what makes it work for you:

• Learning outcomes that matter. You know exactly what you’ll learn and why it’s important.
• Classes that build on each other. Courses are organized so that each prepares you for the next.
• Theory meets practice. You learn concepts through real-world projects and activities.
• Meaningful assessment. Evaluation shows what you know and can do, not just test-taking ability.

From Development to Delivery

At ·¬ÇÑÊÓƵ (ACE), we use Instructure’s Learning Management System (LMS) to deliver high-quality content, preparing you for success.

Our master course model ensures consistent education for every student. The curriculum development and production team creates a comprehensive course template that serves as the foundation for all sections. Faculty facilitate learning experiences within this framework, using expertise to guide discussions and support progress. Students then receive a rigorous, research-based curriculum with personalized attention.

Your learning experiences at ACE include:

• Dynamic video content
• Scholarly readings and professional resources
• Engaging discussions in
• Assignments for real-world application

Every component cultivates critical thinking, problem-solving and creative solutions that employers value. This approach ensures you graduate with skills and confidence to excel in your chosen field.

Continuous Improvement: How Schools Ensure It Works

After the course launch, the work isn’t finished. Academic leaders use ongoing feedback and data to track curriculum implementation:

• Student feedback: Course evaluations and comments help identify what works and what could be better.
• Career alignment: Programs are checked against job market needs.
• Accreditation standards: Courses undergo regular assessment to meet the high benchmarks set by accrediting bodies, ensuring your degree holds value.
• Program review: Teams examine student success data and outcomes for improvement areas. ACE maintains regular review cycles for every program.

This continuous improvement loop means your learning experience gets better each year.

ACE’s Unique Approach to Curriculum Development and Production

Unlike colleges that simply upload classroom materials online, ACE creates curriculum specifically for digital learning. Every course maximizes digital tools while fitting your busy life.

How ACE Does It Differently

ACE is committed to making high-quality education accessible, affordable and flexible for working adults. Our curriculum focuses on:

• Engagement: Interactive discussions, multimedia content and real-world projects to help apply learning.
• Consistency and quality: Our master course model ensures every student receives the same high-quality, evidence-based curriculum regardless of when or where they study.
• Flexibility: Courses are structured for your schedule, balancing school, work and life.
• Affordability: Innovation and efficiency keep tuition low without sacrificing quality.

Measuring Our Impact

At ACE don’t just talk about results, we track them:

• Student satisfaction: 88% of students are satisfied with their overall experience.
• Learning application: 96% of graduates apply what they learned throughout programs.
• Professional impact: 98% of graduates report strengthened professional skills.
• Employer confidence: 96% of employers are satisfied with graduate performance.
• Strong outcomes: ACE maintains an 85% retention rate and 85% graduation rate, exceeding national online college averages.

ACE’s approach is different by design. We build curriculum with your success in mind. Every course, assignment and learning experience is intentionally designed to help you grow, achieve your goals and make a real impact in your career and community. Our commitment to quality, innovation and accessibility means you don’t have to choose between flexibility and excellence – you get both.

Benefits and Current Applications

The positive impacts of AI are already in action for students, faculty, researchers, policymakers, and higher education professionals and leaders. Arguably, the greatest benefit for students is personalized learning. Adaptive learning platforms, like and , can adapt educational content and experiences to meet student needs by providing customized learning resources, experiences and recommendations. This allows students to learn at their own pace and style, which can lead to improved engagement and academic outcomes.

AI for Enhanced Learning Experiences

Adaptive learning platforms can leverage analytics by assessing student data to predict academic performance and identify anyone at risk of falling behind. This enables institutions to get involved proactively and provide the necessary support to help students succeed.

Another incredible benefit with immense potential is AI-powered teaching and learning assistants, which can offer personalized educational support to students and faculty outside the classroom. These systems, like , can answer questions, provide explanations and give feedback on assignments, helping students learn complex concepts at their own pace.

Additionally, by integrating AI into their practices, faculty can enhance efficiency, provide personalized student support and create a more interactive and engaging learning environment. For example, generative artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT can help faculty develop accessible course materials, including lecture notes, quizzes, assignments and multimedia content.

These tools can also facilitate interactive activities, such as discussions, debates and role-playing exercises, making learning more engaging and dynamic. As an added benefit, tools like Khanmigo and can save time by providing instant feedback and support, which enables more efficient use of study and instructional time.

AI for Professional Efficiency and Effectiveness

AI also offers numerous benefits to higher education professionals, helping them to streamline their work and improve efficiency. For example, tools like and can set reminders, manage calendars and automate routine tasks, allowing administrators to focus on high-priority issues.

On a personal level, three of my favorite AI tools are Grammarly,  Humantelligence and Microsoft Copilot.

• is a writing assistant that provides real-time grammar, spelling, style, tone and punctuation feedback. It can help students and all users produce clear and concise writing, which is essential for academic and professional success.
• is a human resources tool that fosters a more engaging and collaborative work environment. It uses generative AI to provide personalized suggestions for improving email communication, meeting effectiveness and overall team interactions.
• is an assistant that helps users automate tasks and enhance productivity by providing real-time insights and suggestions. I use Microsoft Copilot daily to assist me in drafting emails, creating presentations and summarizing meetings.

Challenges and Ethical Considerations

While the thoughtful integration of AI in higher education has many benefits, there are also significant ethical considerations and challenges. It is important that students and higher education professionals approach AI with a balanced perspective and a mix of curiosity and cautious optimism.

Data Privacy and Content Accuracy

Arguably, the most significant ethical concerns pertain to data privacy and security. AI systems in education may require access to student data to function effectively, which raises key concerns about how this data is collected, stored and used. Institutions must ensure that their student data is secure, and colleges and universities should develop policies and ethical guidelines for the appropriate use of AI.

Another challenge pertains to instances where an AI tool generates misleading or inaccurate information. These instances are referred to as hallucinations. An example of a hallucination may include the creation of a bibliography with books and names that don’t exist. It is critical to incorporate human oversight in the AI tool’s decision-making process to mitigate the risk of AI hallucinations.

Academic Integrity and Plagiarism

Academic integrity is also a prevalent concern due to the potential for plagiarism. Most institutions generally find it acceptable for students to use AI tools for tasks such as brainstorming, generating ideas, finding background information on a topic, clarifying research questions, drafting an outline and checking grammar and style.

However, there is a fine line between acceptable use of AI and relying on it entirely to complete assignments. Institutions should educate all members of their communities about the importance of academic integrity and the ethical use of AI. Additionally, colleges and universities should develop clear policies about using it in academic work, including what is allowed.

In addition to my role as Assistant Provost of Doctoral Research and Student Success at ·¬ÇÑÊÓƵ (ACE), I serve on an external that is dedicated to improving higher education through the responsible use of AI. As part of this council, I am focused on addressing these challenges while developing best practices for the effective and ethical integration of it in higher education.

The Future of Artificial Intelligence in Higher Education

The future of AI in higher education is filled with promise, as several emerging trends and technologies will likely further enhance student success, elevate teaching and learning, streamline operations, and close equity gaps. Whether you are a student, parent, faculty, staff or administrator, the current and future role that AI will play in higher education is sure to impact you.

Virtual and Augmented Reality Experiences

One of the most exciting opportunities for AI is its potential to enhance virtual and augmented reality experiences, creating immersive learning environments that can simulate real-world scenarios and provide hands-on learning experiences.

One example is , which uses AI to create virtual science labs where students can perform experiments and learn complex concepts without being in a physical lab. Another compelling tool is , which is a virtual reality platform that enables faculty to create interactive lessons and virtual field trips. It also uses AI to analyze student interactions to provide insights for improving teaching strategies.

AI and Accessibility

Perhaps the most important current and future trend is the ability of AI to enhance accessibility for students with disabilities. For example, tools such as and offer real-time captioning and transcription services that can convert spoken language into text, making discussions and lectures accessible to students with hearing impairments.

Other tools like and convert written text into spoken words, aiding students with reading disabilities or visual impairments. By leveraging these AI tools, colleges and universities can create more supportive and inclusive learning environments for all students.

In the coming years, AI will undoubtedly provide further advancements and transform higher education by making it more personalized, efficient and accessible. By implementing AI-based tools thoughtfully and strategically, institutions can meet evolving workforce and community needs. In alignment with its mission, ACE is committed to empowering its community members with practical AI skills, shaping the future workforce and driving transformative impact across diverse, evolving communities.

Make a difference in higher education with the M.Ed. in Higher Education program at ·¬ÇÑÊÓƵ.

As such, what are the steps to secure a career as faculty in higher education? A growing field with more competitive candidates requires a strategic approach to successfully navigate a career in academia.

Academia operates on two pillars, namely teaching and research. These primary duties grow over time into more administrative roles with tenure for faculty seeking higher education leadership roles, such as heads of departments and deans.

Teaching

The first step toward a career in academia is completing a degree in the field you would like to teach and research in. The degree level needed to begin teaching at the tertiary level varies, but most U.S. universities require a terminal degree, most often a Ph.D., in the intended career field. Some begin teaching with a master’s degree at the instructor level rank. However, advancement to the rank of professor – assistant professor, associate professor and full professor – requires a doctoral degree. The field of study for undergraduate studies is typically less relevant, as people frequently dive into sometimes completely different graduate degree tracks. It’s important that the terminal degree be within the area you want to teach in, as the expectation is that you are at the near-expert level in your field to lead in teaching and research.

Research

The other arm of academia resides with research. If you enjoy researching – genuinely are concerned with the expansion of knowledge for the benefit of scientists and the community at large – academia is likely a great fit for you. People often start off with very broad research interests, which they refine as they progress in their academic journeys. Typically, the dissertation is the most significant contribution to current literature that represents one’s research interests. Researchers also frequently identify within a specific research paradigm: quantitative researcher, qualitative researcher or mixed-methods researcher. This identity is important for securing career opportunities that are a good match for the nature of the field and institutional orientations.

Other Requirements

Recent graduates from doctoral programs often go on to secure postdoctoral research positions as a preparatory track to full-time faculty positions. During these tenures, postdocs focus on researching and publishing to enhance their skillsets and expertise for entry-level faculty positions, usually at the assistant professor level. Other typical requirements for academic faculty positions include and diversity statements.

If your goal is to become an academic, these are some important steps and considerations to account for in strategizing your career plans. With the correct and articulate plan, you can make your dreams of a career in academia a reality.

Prepare for your journey as faculty with a doctoral-level programs at ·¬ÇÑÊÓƵ.