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Universities and colleges are only as strong as their soldiers—the teaching staff! The country’s top graduate schools are home to the most prominent, reputable, and experienced faculty who are considered experts in their field.
As pillars of the university, faculty members are expected to be excellent teachers and mentors. To keep up with the advancements in their discipline, professors undergo further education and training to enhance their competency. They need every bit of support from the school in this regard.
Many graduate schools today offer faculty development programs that equip faculty members with the necessary skills, knowledge, and training to navigate new challenges and develop better program outcomes. They provide learning experiences that will transform not only the students’ way of thinking but also their eventual career path.
Common faculty development activities and programs are offered in these forms:
- Orientations
- Workshops
- Continuing Education activities
- Mentoring programs
- Peer review activities
- Formation of committees that enhance leadership skills
Benefits of Faculty Development Programs
Familiarity with Innovative Teaching Methods
As technological advancements become more indispensable in the modern world, educators must adapt to the new changes and developments or risk getting left behind! Distance education, for one, was an unfamiliar territory that required professors to learn and unlearn certain aspects of teaching.
A Richer Learning Experience
Students deserve a high-quality learning experience. To help achieve this, professors must keep up with the strategies and techniques that promote better student engagement and performance. Faculty development programs also emphasize a culture of learning where collaboration, teamwork, and shared vision thrive.
Opportunities to Establish Relevant Program Outcomes
Graduate schools provide faculty development programs to help faculty members work towards designing and implementing better program outcomes through innovative courses that promote higher student engagement and experiential learning.
A Reflection of the Institution’s Stellar Reputation
Well-prepared faculty members who undergo training and development programs are better positioned to promote student success. In turn, This can enhance the reputation of the school and attract critical resources, including funding, students, and even future faculty members.
Graduate Schools with Excellent Faculty Development Programs
Northwestern University
Feinberg School of Medicine
Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine offers the Faculty Development Program that addresses the needs of clinicians and professionals to become experts in their roles as patient safety educators and leaders.
One of the program’s objectives is to help faculty members explore and develop methods, tools, and approaches that are needed for the integration of patient safety and healthcare quality into medical education.
This five-day immersion program is regularly offered in July. Participants may attend an elective class annually or complete an independent study through distance learning in as quick as 12 months.
University of Pennsylvania
The Wharton School
The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania runs the Global Faculty Development Program every year. It is designed for young scholars seeking to publish academic journals in management and related fields.
This faculty development program includes a forum where students can ask questions and learn from Wharton experts.
University of Massachusetts
Chan Medical School
The University of Massachusetts’ Chan Medical School has been offering the Junior Faculty Development Program since 2010, patterned after the program developed by Penn State College of Medicine.
Every year, the program welcomes a cohort of between 20 to 30 participants. Many of them are assistant professors who are within their first to fourth year of faculty appointment.
This intensive faculty development program takes a year to complete. It consists of a comprehensive curriculum covering topics on education, research, and academic or career development and requires participants to complete a project under the guidance of a senior faculty member.
Participants must attend at least 80% of the sessions to graduate.
Cornell University
Weill Cornell Medicine Medical College
The Cornell University – Weill Cornell Medical College sponsors faculty development programs such as the Faculty Advancement & Research Mentorship (FARM). This college-wide training and mentorship program is designed for junior faculty at Weill Cornell Medicine.
Established in 2015, the program mentors junior faculty members to establish fully funded, sustainable, and independent research programs. They get longitudinal support for 6 to 24 months. Since its establishment, the program has welcomed more than 60 junior faculty across 25 departments and institutes.
University of Texas
UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry
The University of Texas (UT) Health San Antonio School of Dentistry hosts the Faculty Development Program: Training in Educational Research. This seven-component program provides faculty members and residents with training in educational research and methodologies with federal funding.
Participants of this program are expected to develop their skills in research, design, and scientific inquiry through delving into and exploring research methodology and evidence-based practice. To date, more than 50 participants in the program have published critically appraised topics, all of which are indexed on the British Trip Database.
New York University
Grossman School of Medicine
The New York University – Grossman School of Medicine runs the Faculty Advance development program for junior and mid-career faculty members. This program facilitates constructive and didactic conversations that tackle academic realities through discussions and workshops.
Popular topics include:
- career advancement through collaborative research
- finding your phenotype
- mastering time management
University of Wisconsin
School of Medicine and Public Health
The School of Medicine and Public Health at the University of Wisconsin hosts a comprehensive Faculty Development Program that equips faculty members with the competencies for career development. Participants receive individualized development plans and mentor matching designed for the clinical faculty.
University of Miami
Miller School of Medicine
The Miller School of Medicine at the University of Miami—home to nationally and internationally recognized faculty who are leaders in their fields– offers the Physical Therapy Residency/Fellowship Mentorship Certificate program as part of its faculty development efforts.
It is a four-day intensive certificate program that educates clinical faculty members who can effectively mentor, teach, advise, and coach post-professional physical therapy residents.
The program can be completed during a 40-day, in-person intensive plan of study. At the end of the program, participants are expected to demonstrate competence in effective clinical mentoring in post-professional education. They will receive a Certificate in Residence or Fellowship Mentorship from the University of Miami.
The Ohio State University
College of Engineering
The Ohio State University – College of Engineering offers the Faculty Mentoring Program designed for junior members of the faculty. It is a year-long series of workshops, seminars, and networking opportunities.
In this mentoring program, faculty members of the Engineering department explore ways to develop innovative research and teaching programs. The participants will be asked to form a mentoring team under the guidance of the program director.
Yale University
School of Medicine
Eligible faculty members of the Yale School of Medicine participate in the Introduction to Leadership for New Section Chiefs and Program Leads. In this program, clinical department chiefs and program leads learn the important skills for leading complex, diverse clinical teams. It also aims to facilitate a supportive network of clinical leaders through ongoing peer support and resources.
Participants can expect the program to include didactic sessions focused on key topics relevant to leadership roles, including negotiation, building, and co-leading teams.
