MSCHE Definition of Standard 13:
Institutional programs or activities that are characterized by particular content, focus, location, mode of delivery, or sponsorship meet appropriate standards.
As a public higher education institution in Maryland, UMB follows the MHEC and Board of Regents approval processes for all new programs including certificates and off-campus programs (http://www.usmd.edU/Leadership/USMOffice/AcademicAffairs/program%20approval%20Grid.doc; the document is also printed in Appendix S) .
3.6.1 Basic Skills
UMB offers no precollege-level basic skills or developmental courses as part of its educational offerings.
3.6.2 Certificate Programs
All certificate programs, whether or not they meet the MHEC thresholds (i.e., 12 or more semester hours at the master's level), are developed, approved, implemented, and evaluated within the school's curriculum approval processes. The office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs approves certificate programs.
3.6.3 Credit for Life Experience
None of UMB's programs or schools accept life experience for academic credit.
3.6.4 Non-Credit Offerings
Non-credit offerings by UMB's professional schools are offered through their continuing education programs. Each of the schools has a formal approval process for developing,
approving, implementing, and evaluating continuing education programs in collaboration with the pertinent professional bodies. For example, the School of Medicine's Office of Professional Development is responsible for overseeing the development and implementation of all
Continuing Medical Education activities that are approved for AMA Professional Recognition Award category 1 credit.
3.6.5 Branch Campuses, Additional Locations, and Other Instructional Sites UMB offers course work and programs in nursing and social work at off-campus locations in order to increase educational access to these programs for students outside of the Baltimore area. All off-site UMB programs meet the same standards for admission, progression, curricula, and faculty as programs delivered at UMB.
The primary off-site locations are the University System of Maryland regional higher education centers at Shady Grove and Hagerstown. Regardless of the location or method of instruction, all programmatic offerings are held to one consistent standard including faculty
preparation, course content, objectives and requirements, instructional materials, and outcome expectations.
The regional education centers are crucial elements of the plans of the USM and the State of Maryland to improve access to higher education. UMB’s relationships with Shady Grove and Hagerstown are governed by Memoranda of Understanding (MOU). The vice president for academic affairs represents UMB on the governing boards of both USM regional centers. For the nursing programs at Shady Grove see http://nursing.umaryland.edu/offices/opo-ce/shady-
grove.htm. The social work programs at Shady Grove are described at:
http://www.ssw.umaryland.edu/academic_programs/off_site_programs.htm. For the Hagerstown nursing program, see http://hagerstown.usmd.edu.
To address Maryland’s continuing need for baccalaureate-educated nurses and to improve access for RNs seeking to continue their education, the School of Nursing operates several outreach sites for delivery of the RN-BSN option and one outreach site for delivery of the traditional BSN program. This permits registered nurses and traditional BSN students to work toward their degree while maintaining professional and personal obligations in their local
communities. The traditional BSN program and the RN-BSN program option are available at the Universities at Shady Grove (Montgomery County). The RN-BSN program option is offered also in Western Maryland. Two graduate programs were offered for the first time in fall 2005 at the Universities at Shady Grove: the adult nurse practitioner program and the health services leadership and management program.
The programs at the Shady Grove campus are offered on-site in face-to-face classes.
Occasionally master’s-level courses or RN-BSN courses may be offered through distance education through Verizon interactive video in real time. The entire RN-BSN option as well as some graduate courses can be completed entirely online in addition to being available in a face- to-face venue. Students at outreach sites have the same faculty and support services as students at the main campus. Each outreach location has a School of Nursing faculty coordinator present on- site who ensures program uniformity in collaboration with the School’s associate dean for academic affairs and the associate dean for organizational partnerships and outreach.
The School of Social Work offers the foundation year of the Master of Social Work program at the Universities at Shady Grove on a full-time and part-time basis. The advanced- year courses are only offered in Baltimore; a few are web-based. Full-time students at Shady Grove take four courses and foundation field instruction in the fall, and two courses and foundation field instruction in the spring. These students may begin advanced courses in the spring semester in Baltimore. Part-time students may take two courses in the fall and one in the spring in Shady Grove and a second spring course in Baltimore (either advanced research or foundation policy). In their third semester (fall), students take foundation field instruction, Practice I, and foundation policy in Shady Grove (or advanced research in Baltimore). In their fourth semester (spring), they take foundation field and Practice II in Shady Grove and have the option of traveling to Baltimore for advanced courses. The School of Social Work maintains an on-site coordinator at Shady Grove. As in the case of the nursing program, the standards for courses, faculty, and support services are identical to those at the Baltimore campus.
The Health Sciences/Human Services Library supports students at Shady Grove, providing them with access to the same resources and services that are available to students at the UMB campus. These services and resources are accessed through the HS/HSL web site.
Course reserves are available digitally. Facilitated by participation in the University System of
Maryland and Affiliated Institutions (USMAI) library consortium, students and faculty can have materials delivered to the Shady Grove campus. Faculty liaisons travel to Shady Grove to teach classes if requested by the instructor. At least once a year, staff from HS/HSL and Shady Grove meet to discuss issues of mutual concern. The same system will be put into place in Hagerstown.
The shift to a primarily digital environment has helped the HS/HSL to effectively partner with schools and faculty offering distance or distributed learning. E-resources (journals, books, databases) are linked to instruction. E-reserves systems are used for course reserves, and e- orientations are available for each school via the HS/HSL web site.
3.6.6 Distance or Distributed Learning
Most UMB schools and programs offer some courses delivered through distance learning modalities - the Internet, television, video-conferencing or other means. The School of Nursing offers online the undergraduate RN-BSN program, three online certificate programs, and three required core graduate master's courses. Two physical therapy programs are delivered online, using formats that combine independent study, weekend seminars, and web-based learning. These are the post- professional Doctor of Science of Physical Therapy (DScPT) and the transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy programs. The other schools either offer a few courses online or supplement traditional classroom courses with online learning technology. Regardless of the extent of the distance learning, all courses and program proposals are subject to professional accreditation and school curricular oversight.
UMB participates in the USM OnLine Learning initiative.
3.6.7 Contractual Relationships and Affiliated Providers
All UMB's schools have relationships with a wide variety of institutions for clinical instruction and externships. Each relationship is maintained through a Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU), affiliation agreement, or contract which designates the responsibilities of the school or program and the institution. UMB's University Counsel and the vice president for academic affairs review all MOUs.