Job location: Offsite

Employment Type: Part-time
Posted data: 2019-06-27
Req: R06186
Capella University seeks out faculty who combine top academic credentials with working or practitioner experience in the fields they teach. Capella seeks Qualitative or Quantitative Dissertation Research Mentors to provide direction and supportive interaction to learners to ensure dissertations are consistent with prevailing standards for scholarship, while simultaneously supporting a positive learner experience.

Essential Duties:

Responsibilities of Mentors:
Successful mentors have the ability to guide and coach learners through the dissertation process by promoting a positive, collaborative relationship that enhances learner engagement, satisfaction, retention and success. Mentors are committed to providing timely direction and support to mentees throughout the dissertation phase of the program. Mentors may also participate in the comprehensive exam preparation phase as well.

Mentors should have qualitative or quantitative research experience and knowledge, specifically expertise in Experimental, Quasi-Experimental, and Correlational research designs and the analyses associated with them, and the ability to understand and evaluate all aspects of the research process.  They also have an in-depth understanding of the end-to-end research process (research design, data collection, data analysis, writing the full dissertation) while working with mentees as a dissertation supervisor and chair of the dissertation committee. Mentors apply their in-depth knowledge of IRB standards, regulations, and processes at each stage of the dissertation process and consult with expert colleagues, related literature, and other available school resources when research methods and design questions or concerns arise.

Mentors ensure the efficient administration of the dissertation process for mentees by implementing Capella policies and procedures (including milestone procedures and IRB regulations), and manage the dissertation committee through timely and effective communication about progress, feedback, or concerns.

Must also be available and willing to participate on dissertation committees. 

Summary of Responsibilities:

Part-time faculty mentors are responsible for meeting the expectations and requirements of the Capella learner while establishing and maintaining effective relationships. Faculty ensure that learners receive quality educational experiences consistent with stated course outcomes as well as NCA and any program accreditation standards. They provide high-quality, impactful and successful experiences that deliver exceptional learning outcomes.

Capella values the capabilities and talents of its faculty and expects continued learning and development through participation in outside scholarly activities or practice in the discipline. Primary responsibilities include mentor and committee work.  Part-time Faculty may also participate in school governance through faculty committees and may participate in a variety of other activities based upon the university's needs and the faculty member's unique skill set.

Specific Accountabilities:  Each faculty member will have a workload that varies based upon his/her expertise and the needs of the program/specialization. Following are the accountabilities expected for faculty in the primary areas of responsibility:

Mentoring and Committee Work: Facilitates discussions with learners to ensure ongoing progress toward successful completion of dissertation; reviews and critiques learner work, provides relevant feedback; coordinates committee review of dissertation materials and guides learner in integration of committee feedback; participates in dissertation committee meetings.

School Governance and Faculty Committees: Actively participates in appropriate department, division, or university committees;

Other Activities (may be assigned and vary from quarter to quarter):

Faculty staff meetings, residencies, Capella-sponsored faculty development, problem resolution, faculty orientation/mentoring, course revisions, etc.

Key Differences Between Part-Time and Adjunct Faculty:

Generally, part-time faculty engage in a continuous relationship with Capella quarter after quarter. As such, Capella is committed to providing a work assignment to part-time faculty members on an ongoing quarterly basis. The work assignments and workload may vary from quarter to quarter, but the part-time faculty member is provided with some level of work by Capella. Only part-time faculty members may participate in Mentoring or Committee work assignments or any other work assignment that may span four quarters.

Adjunct faculty members are not engaged with Capella in a continuous relationship. They do not work four quarters in any given calendar year, but are assigned work as they are available and as Capella has needs. As such, the workload for adjunct faculty members will be quite variable.

All part-time and adjunct faculty will be required to complete an unpaid faculty development course (FD 1900) as a pre-requisite for employment. This is an essential part of the selection process for both the faculty member and Capella

Education:

• Education: PhD required in Human Services, Health Care Administration, Community Mental Health or a related discipline within Human Services from a regionally accredited institution. 

Work Experience:

• Competence in qualitative or quantitative research methodology and experience in conducting qualitative or quantitative research.
• Experience in research mentoring or a willingness to undergo development in this process
• Preferred Qualifications:
•  Qualitative or quantitative research skills
• A record of scholarship, including publications beyond the dissertation.
• Prior academic experience at the graduate level serving as a dissertation or thesis chairperson or serving on a dissertation or thesis committee.
• Experience in graduate level teaching; online teaching experience preferred.
• Demonstrated knowledge of academic technology and strong computer skills
• Demonstrated knowledge of academic evaluation
• Proficiency in oral presentation skills, planning and organizing of course objectives
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Professional certification in discipline specialty (if applicable)

Certifications:

• Professional certification in discipline specialty (if applicable)

Other:

• limited travel
• Must be able to lift 10 lb.
• Mobility within the office including movement from floor to floor
• Access information using a computer
• Effectively communicate, both up and down the management chain
• Effectively cope with stressful situations
• Strong mental acuity

Education Requirement:

• All degrees must be conferred and from an accredited institution to be considered
• PhD. must be aligned with the Human Services Field

If you require a reasonable accommodation to complete our application process, please contact our Human Resources Department at humanresources@capella.edu