The Division of Academic Affairs comprises the activities and personnel central to USF St. Petersburg's mission of teaching, research, and service. It includes the three academic colleges (Arts and Sciences, Business, and Education), the Nelson Poynter Library, Academic Advising, Academic Success Center, Registration and Records, Campus Computing, The Office of Institutional Research and Effectiveness, Research, Graduate Studies, and International Affairs.

The University's academic programs are delivered by 160 full-time faculty through three colleges. Programs are offered at St. Petersburg and at various sites in Pinellas County. USF St. Petersburg serves over 3,500 students and awards degrees through almost 40 degree programs at the bachelor's, and master's levels.

USF St. Petersburg is committed to teaching excellence in a student-centered environment; relevant research that will contribute to the public good; and partnerships that will enhance the social, economic, and intellectual growth of our community.

The Poynter Library houses some 230,000 volumes, as well as computer links to thousands of databases and the World Wide Web through a partnership with the USF Tampa Library.

Distance Learning Course Development Program
USF St. Petersburg recognizes that in this arena of learning, "one size does not fit all." USF St. Petersburg holds as a high value the faculty-student relationship that comes from shared intellectual endeavor. We also want to offer a variety of ways and means that our students can achieve their educational objectives. In addition, faculty members who wish to expand their pedagogical repertoire should be provided with appropriate incentives and opportunities to do so in support of both their own professional goals and of the university’s strategic goals.

As a result, the Office of Academic Affairs, with the support of the Deans, has established a multi-pronged program for the development and support of distance/online learning courses and course development. For more information on the new USFSP Distance Learning Course Development Program.

Faculty interested in participating in the USFSP Distance Learning Course Development Program must complete the
New On-line Course Development Proposal.

NOTE: Beginning in Spring of 2012, faculty members who receive full Course Development proposals will be required to attend a Distance Learning Instructional Design Strategies Series (click here for more info) during the period of development of their course.  These workshops are offered periodically through Instructional and Media Services (Nelson Poynter Library).  Faculty members must also agree to subject their courses to review through the Quality Matters organization and to make recommended modifications.  This review will be at the expense of USFSP.

Distance Learning Course Improvement/Refinement Awards
Faculty who have received initial course development awards as defined above, as well as those who have previously developed and offered an online course before this program was implemented, may be eligible to apply for a Course Improvement/Refinement Award after the course they have developed has been offered at least twice. These one-time, lump-sum awards of $2,000 are intended to enable faculty to “tweak” their courses, make adjustments in response to assessment, and/or incorporate recent technology innovations that were not available at the time of the initial course development. To complete the Distance Learning Course Refinement Award Application.

Support for Online/Distance Learning Courses at USFSP
USFSP faculty who are planning to create new courses or revise existing courses for online/distance delivery have the option of requesting technical assistance for their work.  In order to qualify for technical assistance from the Library’s Instructional Media Services, faculty must complete a request form to initiate discussions with the Library’s Distance Learning Coordinator. To complete the Request for Support for Online/Distance Learning Courses at USFSP (click here.) 

Proposal Submission Deadlines

     Spring Funding: October 3

     Summer & Fall Funding: February 15

Distance Learning Course Assistance
Faculty who are assigned to teach courses in the distance learning modality will be provided with assistance in the form of student teaching assistants. Please refer to the Distance Learning Course Development Policy Statement for further information on teaching assistants. To complete the Distance Learning Teaching Assistant Request Form click here.