Teach a Fire Up Forward Course

Concurrent instructor approval procedures

A concurrent instructor is someone who is approved to teach a course as part of a concurrent enrollment program. These programs allow high school or career technical center students to take college-level courses while still in high school, earning both high school and college credit simultaneously. 

Applications are welcome for our concurrent enrollment initiatives. Please note that high school/career technical center applicants who are approved by CMU to teach a Concurrent Enrollment Program course(s) will be required to provide official copies of their college transcripts for review.

The application process is solely to establish if adequate teaching credentials exist to instruct the course approved in the Concurrent Enrollment Program. Eligibility to teach is not a guarantee for approval. CMU’s academic department, which oversees the course designator, will provide final approval. Approved concurrent instructors are not CMU employees.

Course approval process

Requests to teach concurrent course opportunities are welcome and encouraged. A detailed course syllabus will be provided upon final approval. The syllabus will outline the course objectives, content, assessment strategies and any required textbooks or materials. Faculty approved to teach Central Michigan University courses must follow the syllabus as outlined. 

    Faculty applications will be reviewed initially for minimum qualifications as outlined by the Higher Learning Commission. Once minimum qualifications are confirmed, applications are reviewed by the academic department, including discipline specific faculty members or department chairs. They assess whether the experience, formal education and foundational knowledge are appropriate for instructing the requested course.

    Department faculty will ensure alignment exists between faculty credentials and curriculum standards meeting the expectations of both the high school and the college or university. This helps ensure that the faculty member is adequately prepared to instruct students for postsecondary education.

    Faculty in the academic department that provides faculty approval will review the final proposed syllabus. They will evaluate the course's rigor, academic standards and alignment with the course’s mission and objectives. The faculty will also consider any specific requirements or standards that may apply to the courses. Faculty will ensure compliance with standards to maintain the quality and credibility of the course.

    Approved concurrent enrollment courses are agreed between the high school and CMU. A formal concurrent agreement will need to be completed. This agreement outlines the responsibilities of each party, credit transfer policies and any financial or administrative arrangements.

    Maintain proper documentation of the course approval process, including minutes of meetings, syllabi, agreements and any communication related to the course approval. This documentation helps ensure transparency and facilitates future program evaluations or audits.

    It's important to note that the specific steps and individuals involved in the course approval process may vary across disciplines. Some academic disciplines may have additional layers of review or committees involved, while others may have a more streamlined process.