Contract Courses
Test Preparation
OES/ALPD Contract Course Information for Instructors
- Personnel File Requirements
- Human Resources Requirements
- New Instructor Orientation
- Eligibility of Participants
- Registration Packet
- Patriot Web Quick Guides
- Course Evaluations
- Class Cancellations
- Use of Mason Library
- Drop / Withdrawal Regulations
- Adding Students to a Contract Course
- Grades & Final Exams
- Instructor Responsibilities / Enrollment Procedures (Word) (PDF)
Personnel File Requirements
Adjunct faculty employed part-time by the OES/ALPD must meet George Mason University’s personnel requirements by providing the following items:
- A current vita or resume (please submit with course request).
- An official transcript of highest degree only. (Note: All candidates must have a minimum of a Master’s Degree.)
- Three letters of reference (mailed directly to the address below from the individuals providing them).
Please have above items above mailed directly to:
Libby Hall, Associate Director
Office of Educational Services/Adult Learning and Professional Development (OES/ALPD)
George Mason University
4400 University Drive, MSN 5D6
Fairfax, VA 22030
Human Resources Requirement
The following items are required by Mason's HR department. Please complete all forms using the links below and bring to the orientation appointment scheduled by the ALPD office:
- Faculty Information Worksheet (Word)
- Direct Deposit Form (PDF)
- I9 Form (PDF) and copies of required documentation
- Commonwealth of Virginia Policy on Alcohol and Other Drugs (PDF)
- W-4 Form (PDF)
- One of the following:
New Instructor Orientation
An instructor new to OES/ALPD comes to our office in Commerce II, Room 113, for an orientation prior to the start of his/her course.
Eligibility of participants
In order to be registered for a Mason graduate course, a student must have an undergraduate degree. In some instances, a student lacking such a degree may be registered for undergraduate credit but this can occur only for courses with corresponding undergraduate numbers and only when specific arrangements are approved in advance by the agency.
Registration Packet
For Instructor Reference:
- Instructor Responsibilities and Enrollment Procedures
- Contract Course Information Overview
- Patriot Web Quick Guide "How to View Your Class List"
- George Mason University Honor Code
- Contract Course Summary Information Sheet
- Enrollment Form (Domicile Form on back)
- Withdrawal Request Form
- Pre-paid, Self-addressed Envelope
For Distribution to Course Participants:
- Contract Course Information Overview
- Enrollment Form (Domicile Form on back)
- For Fairfax County Public Schools only - Contract Course Drop Procedures
Quick Guides
- How to Submit Final Grades
- How to View Your Class List
- How to Email Your Class List
- How to Export Your Class List to Excel
Course evaluations
Prior to the conclusion of each course, OES/ALPD will provide the instructor with computerized evaluation forms and instructions. The instructor should designate a student monitor to distribute and conduct the course evaluation since the instructor must leave the room while the evaluation forms are being completed. The student monitor should be instructed to mail the completed evaluation forms to the ALPD office (a postage-paid mailing label is included in the packet) in the envelope provided for this purpose.
Class cancellation policy
University classes will not meet in school divisions on days when public schools in those divisions are closed. Since all three-credit semester courses are required to meet for 45 contact hours, instructors and students must schedule make-up sessions at mutually agreeable times.
Use of Mason library
Students enrolled in an ALPD course are eligible to use GMU web-based library services. Upon proof of employment, anyone who is employed by a Virginia public school division is entitled to borrowing privileges from the Mason library.
Drop / Withdrawal Regulations
A student in good academic standing may drop a contract course without explanation and without academic penalty imposed by GMU provided no more than 20% of scheduled class meeting time has elapsed. A student wishing to drop a course should provide written notification to the instructor, who will then notify OALPD by phone, fax, or email within the first 20% period. Any student not attending classes during the first 20% of the contract course will be dropped form the class roll (without penalty) unless he/she makes specific arrangements with the instructor.
A student in good academic standing needing to withdraw from a course after 20% of the schedule meeting time had elapsed must request that the instructor complete a Withdrawal Request Form. Both the instructor and the director of OALPD must approve permission to withdraw form a course at this point, which is granted only under special circumstances and ONLY for non-academic reasons. These non-academic reasons must specifically describe circumstances that could not have been anticipated and are beyond the student’s control. Failure to comply with withdrawal request procedures will result in a failing grade.
Please note the policies described above are those of the GMU Office of Education Services / Adult Learning and Professional Development. Host school divisions and other employers may have additional policies regarding student drops or withdrawals. Contact the school or agency for further information.
Adding Students to a Contract Course
Effective Spring 2005, the ALPD policy for adding students to a class is:
A student may not be added to a course if they are not present by the 3rd class meeting (for a 15 week course). If the course is not 15 weeks, calculate what would be equivalent to the number of sessions that is closest to 12% of the class meetings. If you need help with this issue, please contact Libby Hall at lhall4@gmu.edu or 703-993-3674.
Grades and Final Examinations
The only eligible grades for contract courses are an A+, A, A-, B+, B-, C, and F grading scheme. NOTE: C+ or D grades are NOT given for GMU graduate level classes.
Other grading options available in Patriot Web (such as SA,...) should NOT be used. The use of IN (incomplete) grades should be avoided whenever possible and should be given only when a student who is passing the course is unable to complete scheduled course work due to a cause beyond reasonable control. All IN’s changed will automatically become failing grades after nine weeks into the next semester. When a grade change is necessary, instructors should contact ALPD for a Change of Grade Form, which must be completed, signed, and returned to ALPD.
While GMU has no hard and fast regulation requiring final examinations in graduate courses, it is assumed that final examinations in off-campus contract offerings will normally occur during the last scheduled session of each course. Policies concerning the weight given to examinations in computing final grades and they types of examinations used may differ according to the preferences of the instructor. Examinations should not exceed three hours. An instructor considering the assignment of a take-home examination or an alternative final learning activity should communicate this fact to students at the beginning of the semester.
