Online Faculty & Course Development Process

To maintain a high level of instruction, the Academic Senate approved the Online Faculty and Course Development Process. 

student on computer

Online Faculty and Course Approval Processes (Paths 1 through 4)

Faculty, department and program leadership complete one of the following paths for eligibility to teach online, move a course online, or move an entire program online.

Path 1: Approved Faculty With Prior Professional Development

  1. Complete the Towson University Intent to Teach an Online Course Form (Docusign), including a signature indicating approval of the department chair. View sample form (PDF).

  2. Complete a self-assessment using the Online Course Self-Review Checklist (DOCX).

  3. Submit the completed checklist to  where completion of the process will be recorded.

  4. FACET informs the faculty member, chair and dean of successful completion of the process.

*FACET (or other) Professional Development

  • FACET Online & Hybrid Workshops​
  • OAI Workshops (Online Edge or Gold Review)​
  • Quality Matters (APPQMR)​​
  • Other (Professional Development completed in the past 8 years. Documentation must be submitted with the intent form.)

Path 2: Approved Faculty with No Prior Professional Development

  1. Complete the Towson University Intent to Teach an Online Course Form (Docusign), including a signature indicating approval of Department Chair. View sample form (PDF).
  2. Complete a self-assessment, using the Online Course Self-Review Checklist (DOCX).
  3. Submit the completed checklist to , which will initiate a review by a FACET instructional designer or FACET-affiliated faculty member.
  4. Faculty member receives feedback from the FACET reviewer with areas highlighted for enhancement of the course, as needed.
  5. Complete revisions, as indicated, and reports to FACET that the revised course is ready for final review.
  6. FACET instructional designer conducts a final review and records completion of the process.
  7. FACET informs the faculty member, chair and dean of successful completion of the process.

*FACET (or other) Professional Development

  • FACET Online & Hybrid Workshops​
  • OAI Workshops (Online Edge or Gold Review)​
  • Quality Matters (APPQMR)​​
  • Other (Professional Development completed in the past 8 years. Documentation must be submitted with the intent form.)

Path 3: Moving An Entire Course Online

  1. Chair obtains approval of Dean. 

  2. Chair or designated person completes Towson University Intent to Develop an Online Course Form, including signature indicating approval of Dean.

  3. Chair specifies, on the form, one faculty course developer for each course who will be assigned to complete the online course process and build the course.

  4. Specified online program faculty meet with FACET Instructional Designer as a group to discuss the online course development process and timeline.

  5. Within a specified period of time, program faculty complete the four Course Design Curriculum modules. This process includes submitting guided practice activities and completing three online course modules.

  6. FACET Instructional Designer reviews and provides feedback on the submitted guided practice activities and three completed course modules.

  7. Faculty continues to build the full course in Blackboard Ultra, consulting with the FACET Instructional Designer as needed.

  8. When course is completed, faculty submits course to  instructional designer for review.

  9. FACET instructional designer provides Course Review Checklist feedback to faculty with areas highlighted for course improvement, as needed.

  10. Faculty member consults with FACET instructional designer on suggested revisions, as indicated, and reports to FACET that the revised course is ready for final review.

  11. FACET instructional designer conducts final course review and records completion of the process.

  12. FACET informs Chair and Dean of successful completion of this process.

Path 4: Moving an Entire Program Online

  1. Chair obtains approval of Dean and Provost.

  2. Chair or designated person completes Towson University Intent to Develop an Online Program Form, including signatures of Dean and Provost indicating approval.

  3. Chair or designated person specifies, on the form, one or more faculty course developers assigned to build each course.

  4. Department Chair and Program Coordinator meet with FACET as a group to determine an online program development plan and timeline.

  5. Specified online program faculty meet with FACET Instructional Designer as a group to discuss the online program development process and timeline.

  6. Within a specified period of time, program faculty complete the four Course Design Curriculum modules. This process includes submitting guided practice activities and completing three online course modules.

  7. FACET Instructional Designer reviews and provides feedback on the submitted guided practice activities and three completed course modules.

  8. Faculty continues to build the full course in Blackboard Ultra, consulting with the FACET Instructional Designer as needed.

  9. When course is completed, faculty submits course to  instructional designer for review.

  10. FACET instructional designer provides Course Review Checklist feedback to faculty with areas highlighted for course improvement, as needed.

  11. Faculty member consults with FACET instructional designer on suggested revisions, as indicated, and reports to FACET that the revised course is ready for final review.

  12. FACET instructional designer conducts final course review and records completion of the process.

  13. FACET informs Chair and Dean of successful completion of this process.

Course Development Flow Chart