Thread: Teaching at Rasmussen

I applied for an online adjunct position at Rasmussen months (and months and months) ago. They contacted me today to inquire as to whether I'm interested. My schedule is pretty full (this Spring I have 14 total courses for 3 universities).

Anyone have any feedback on Rasmussen ? I notice that they use Angel (which I disliked; at least with Grand Canyon ). Pay seems to be $1500 per 10 week course - which certainly isn't great unless there are 8 people per class. :)

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	Rasmussen College Rasmussen College Rasmussen has a 100 year history as a public university providing quality education in a variety of subjects. Rasmussen offers associate's, bachelor's and masters's degrees in a variety of fields including Health and Medicine, Nursing, Criminal Justice, Information Technology, Medical Administration, Pharmacy Tech, and Multimedia. The school is regionally accredited, the most widely recognized accreditation. Click Here to receive FREE information on this school.

Do you have the time to do it, and is the course at Rasumssen a course that you haven't taught before?

Originally Posted by graymatter

I applied for an online adjunct position at Rasmussen months (and months and months) ago. They contacted me today to inquire as to whether I'm interested. My schedule is pretty full (this Spring I have 14 total courses for 3 universities).

If you're teaching 14 courses for a single semester, you've stretched yourself WAY too thin, IMO, and that plays right into the hands of the anti-DL people who argue that DL schools are too reliant on adjunct faculty with heavy course loads that they can't adequately handle.

While I admit I have a full-time-plus regular job and teaching is more for personal enjoyment and "fun money", I still take a very active role in the classroom in regards to participation, grading papers, etc. I once agreed to teach *3* courses at the same time, and I nearly lost my mind; pretty much every spare minute I had was devoted to managing participation, moderating fights between learning team members, and grading research papers. My wife made me promise I would never again accept more than once course at a time, two if they overlapped.

So, 14 courses in a single semester? Do you really think you can be an effective teacher with that kind of course load? Are these schools legitimately accredited?

	Education Degrees Education Degrees Teachers play an important role in fostering the intellectual and social development of children during their formative years. The education that students acquire is key to determining the future of those students. Whether in elementary or high schools or in private or public schools, teachers provide the tools and the environment for their students to develop into responsible adults. Teachers act as facilitators or coaches, using classroom presentations or individual instruction to help students learn and apply concepts in subjects such as science, mathematics, and English. They plan, evaluate, and assign lessons; prepare, administer, and grade tests; listen to oral presentations; and maintain classroom discipline. Teachers observe and evaluate a student's performance and potential. They are increasingly asked to use new assessment methods •Public school teachers must be licensed, which typically requires a bachelor's degree and the completion of an approved teacher education program; private school teachers do not have to be licensed but may still need a bachelor's degree. •Job prospects are best for teachers in high-demand fields, such as mathematics, science, and bilingual education, and in less desirable urban or rural school districts. •Teachers must have the ability to communicate, inspire trust and confidence, and motivate students, as well as understand students' educational and emotional needs. Click Here to find FREE information on schools offering this course of study.

Bruce, I am not a DL instructor, but I would imagine that you are definitely correct about 14 being way too many. I teach five sections at a secondary school (30+ students per class) and find that to be madness. I cannot even begin to imagine what more than that would be like. Not being able to just talk things out but rather having to formulate written responses to deal with each and every situation must be incredibly frustrating (and time-consuming).

With that in mind, I have to side with Bruce when it comes to telling the OP to reconsider! I can understand needing the money, but that is a *lot* of work!

Just another perspective. Most people don't get rich working 40 hrs a week. The university and students should hold him to some sort of quality standard.

Well, this wasn't supposed to be about being overloaded...

No, I don't think I'm stretched too thin. I resigned my 50-hour a week job back in November. Right now while my wife is expecting (our 6th), I'm at home full-time. I'm still likely working 50 hours per week - its just that I'm just in the next room. Our plan is that I do this for the next year as I have a pending dissertation defense this spring and then a relocation.

I should have noted that those aren't all unique courses. The 14 classes are only 5 unique courses. Some of them are only 5 week courses so I can do 4-5 of those all Spring without them overlapping. Some of them are limited to 12 students per class. That also includes 6 classes of the same UOP course. Its not as though I'm doing 14 classes of 30 students at a time; sorry if that's the impression given.

I've been recognized by 3 of the universities as having exceptionally high positive feedback from students.

The Rasmussen course would NOT be one that I've taught before. I've basically done undergraduate Abnormal Psychology , Theories courses, and an Intro to Counseling (grad level). This course is a Cultural Diversity course - which would be a nice vita addition.

Yes, all are legitimately (regionally) accredited. All of them are spoken of highly on this board (if you count UOP , which I do speak highly of - high tuition notwithstanding).

So... does anyone have any real feedback as to adjuncting with Rasmussen .

	Rasmussen College Rasmussen College Rasmussen has a 100 year history as a public university providing quality education in a variety of subjects. Rasmussen offers associate's, bachelor's and masters's degrees in a variety of fields including Health and Medicine, Nursing, Criminal Justice, Information Technology, Medical Administration, Pharmacy Tech, and Multimedia. The school is regionally accredited, the most widely recognized accreditation. Click Here to receive FREE information on this school.

	University of Phoenix University of Phoenix UoP is probably the largest, most popular online school in the US. With the largest selection of degrees, you can easily find the specific program you are interested in. They offer Arts & Religion (Associate's and Bachelor's), Business and MBA (Associate's, Bachelor's, Master's), Computers and Information Technology (Associate's, Bachelor's, Master's), Education and Teaching (Associate's, Bachelor's, Master's, Doctoral), Health and Medicine/Nursing (Associate's, Bachelor's, Master's), Science and Technology (Bachelor's), and Social Sciences/Criminal Justice (Associate's, Bachelor's, Master's, Doctoral). The school is regionally accredited, the most widely recognized accreditation. Click Here to receive FREE information on this school.

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Originally Posted by ryoder

Just another perspective. Most people don't get rich working 40 hrs a week. The university and students should hold him to some sort of quality standard.

Not sure what you mean by this. Both university and students do hold adjuncts to a standard of quality. As noted a moment ago, I've been recognized as an excellent adjunct by 3 of the schools.

I currently have 4 classes going (2 of the same UOP courses. Do you really think that adjuncts can't adequately manage 4 courses at a time (total of 60 students) if they don't have "outside" employment?

	University of Phoenix University of Phoenix UoP is probably the largest, most popular online school in the US. With the largest selection of degrees, you can easily find the specific program you are interested in. They offer Arts & Religion (Associate's and Bachelor's), Business and MBA (Associate's, Bachelor's, Master's), Computers and Information Technology (Associate's, Bachelor's, Master's), Education and Teaching (Associate's, Bachelor's, Master's, Doctoral), Health and Medicine/Nursing (Associate's, Bachelor's, Master's), Science and Technology (Bachelor's), and Social Sciences/Criminal Justice (Associate's, Bachelor's, Master's, Doctoral). The school is regionally accredited, the most widely recognized accreditation. Click Here to receive FREE information on this school.

Originally Posted by graymatter

Well, this wasn't supposed to be about being overloaded...

No, I don't think I'm stretched too thin. I resigned my 50-hour a week job back in November. Right now while my wife is expecting (our 6th), I'm at home full-time. I'm still likely working 50 hours per week - its just that I'm just in the next room. Our plan is that I do this for the next year as I have a pending dissertation defense this spring and then a relocation.

I should have noted that those aren't all unique courses. The 14 classes are only 5 unique courses. Some of them are only 5 week courses so I can do 4-5 of those all Spring without them overlapping. Some of them are limited to 12 students per class. That also includes 6 classes of the same UOP course. Its not as though I'm doing 14 classes of 30 students at a time; sorry if that's the impression given.

I've been recognized by 3 of the universities as having exceptionally high positive feedback from students.

The Rasmussen course would NOT be one that I've taught before. I've basically done undergraduate Abnormal Psychology , Theories courses, and an Intro to Counseling (grad level). This course is a Cultural Diversity course - which would be a nice vita addition.

Yes, all are legitimately (regionally) accredited. All of them are spoken of highly on this board (if you count UOP , which I do speak highly of - high tuition notwithstanding).

So... does anyone have any real feedback as to adjuncting with Rasmussen.

I have no feedback on Rasmussen , but if your goal is a full-time teaching position, and you believe you can do a good job, then you take the position for the reasons you stated. Good luck!

Shawn

	Rasmussen College Rasmussen College Rasmussen has a 100 year history as a public university providing quality education in a variety of subjects. Rasmussen offers associate's, bachelor's and masters's degrees in a variety of fields including Health and Medicine, Nursing, Criminal Justice, Information Technology, Medical Administration, Pharmacy Tech, and Multimedia. The school is regionally accredited, the most widely recognized accreditation. Click Here to receive FREE information on this school.

	University of Phoenix University of Phoenix UoP is probably the largest, most popular online school in the US. With the largest selection of degrees, you can easily find the specific program you are interested in. They offer Arts & Religion (Associate's and Bachelor's), Business and MBA (Associate's, Bachelor's, Master's), Computers and Information Technology (Associate's, Bachelor's, Master's), Education and Teaching (Associate's, Bachelor's, Master's, Doctoral), Health and Medicine/Nursing (Associate's, Bachelor's, Master's), Science and Technology (Bachelor's), and Social Sciences/Criminal Justice (Associate's, Bachelor's, Master's, Doctoral). The school is regionally accredited, the most widely recognized accreditation. Click Here to receive FREE information on this school.

	Psychology Degrees Psychology Degrees Psychologists study mental processes and human behavior by observing, interpreting, and recording how people and animals relate to one another and the environment. To do this, psychologists often look for patterns that will help them understand and predict behavior using scientific methods, principles, or procedures to test their ideas. Through such research studies, psychologists have learned much that can help increase understanding between individuals, groups, organizations, institutions, nations, and cultures. •Job opportunities are naturally best for individuals with higher degrees. Individuals with a doctoral degree are highly sought after, especially ones who holds degrees in a particularly in-demand subfield, such as health; those with a master’s degree will have good prospects in the corporate environment; bachelor’s degree holders will have limited prospects due to steep competition. •Employment growth will vary by specialty; for example, clinical, counseling, and school psychologists will have 11% growth; industrial-organizational psychologists will have 26% growth; and 14% growth is expected for all other fields of psychology. Click Here to find FREE information on schools offering this course of study.

	Education Degrees Education Degrees Teachers play an important role in fostering the intellectual and social development of children during their formative years. The education that students acquire is key to determining the future of those students. Whether in elementary or high schools or in private or public schools, teachers provide the tools and the environment for their students to develop into responsible adults. Teachers act as facilitators or coaches, using classroom presentations or individual instruction to help students learn and apply concepts in subjects such as science, mathematics, and English. They plan, evaluate, and assign lessons; prepare, administer, and grade tests; listen to oral presentations; and maintain classroom discipline. Teachers observe and evaluate a student's performance and potential. They are increasingly asked to use new assessment methods •Public school teachers must be licensed, which typically requires a bachelor's degree and the completion of an approved teacher education program; private school teachers do not have to be licensed but may still need a bachelor's degree. •Job prospects are best for teachers in high-demand fields, such as mathematics, science, and bilingual education, and in less desirable urban or rural school districts. •Teachers must have the ability to communicate, inspire trust and confidence, and motivate students, as well as understand students' educational and emotional needs. Click Here to find FREE information on schools offering this course of study.

	Counseling Degrees Counseling Degrees Counselors work in diverse community settings designed to provide a variety of counseling, rehabilitation, and support services. Their duties vary greatly, depending on their specialty, which is determined by the setting in which they work and the population they serve. Although the specific setting may have an implied scope of practice, counselors frequently are challenged with children, adolescents, adults, or families that have multiple issues, such as mental health disorders and addiction, disability and employment needs, school problems or career counseling needs, and trauma. Counselors must recognize these issues in order to provide their clients with appropriate counseling and support. •People interested in counseling should have a strong desire to help others and should be able to inspire respect, trust, and confidence. •Education and training requirements vary by State and specialty, but a master’s degree is required to become a licensed counselor. •Projected job growth varies by specialty, but job opportunities should be favorable as job openings are expected to exceed the number of graduates from counseling programs. Click Here to find FREE information on schools offering this course of study.

Originally Posted by graymatter

I applied for an online adjunct position at Rasmussen months (and months and months) ago. They contacted me today to inquire as to whether I'm interested. My schedule is pretty full (this Spring I have 14 total courses for 3 universities).

Anyone have any feedback on Rasmussen? I notice that they use Angel (which I disliked; at least with Grand Canyon). Pay seems to be $1500 per 10 week course - which certainly isn't great unless there are 8 people per class. :)

With all the other information you shared I say go for it. It is a great idea if you have another school to fall back on if work drys up from one of the ones you have.

	Rasmussen College Rasmussen College Rasmussen has a 100 year history as a public university providing quality education in a variety of subjects. Rasmussen offers associate's, bachelor's and masters's degrees in a variety of fields including Health and Medicine, Nursing, Criminal Justice, Information Technology, Medical Administration, Pharmacy Tech, and Multimedia. The school is regionally accredited, the most widely recognized accreditation. Click Here to receive FREE information on this school.

Originally Posted by graymatter

Pay seems to be $1500 per 10 week course - )

Pay is consistent with other institutions. Few months ago, one of the places that I work online dismissed one instructor that was caught outsourcing his teaching .

$1500 is not a lot in the US but it seems that some people take as many courses as they can and then outsource them to other places like India.

Think about it, you get 10 contracts at 1500 and outsource them at 500 to India and you pocket the rest.

This is scary and things seem to be going out of control. Also, this kind of practices will just drive salaries even lower.

The same institution now requires montly meetings on the phone with a manager just to make sure that you are actually doing the work and not someone else.

	Education Degrees Education Degrees Teachers play an important role in fostering the intellectual and social development of children during their formative years. The education that students acquire is key to determining the future of those students. Whether in elementary or high schools or in private or public schools, teachers provide the tools and the environment for their students to develop into responsible adults. Teachers act as facilitators or coaches, using classroom presentations or individual instruction to help students learn and apply concepts in subjects such as science, mathematics, and English. They plan, evaluate, and assign lessons; prepare, administer, and grade tests; listen to oral presentations; and maintain classroom discipline. Teachers observe and evaluate a student's performance and potential. They are increasingly asked to use new assessment methods •Public school teachers must be licensed, which typically requires a bachelor's degree and the completion of an approved teacher education program; private school teachers do not have to be licensed but may still need a bachelor's degree. •Job prospects are best for teachers in high-demand fields, such as mathematics, science, and bilingual education, and in less desirable urban or rural school districts. •Teachers must have the ability to communicate, inspire trust and confidence, and motivate students, as well as understand students' educational and emotional needs. Click Here to find FREE information on schools offering this course of study.

Originally Posted by Randell1234

With all the other information you shared I say go for it. It is a great idea if you have another school to fall back on if work drys up from one of the ones you have.

There are some pros and cons when you take too many schoools. As you mentioned, it is good to add to your portfolio a school that can help you to minimize risk of unemployment but also some schools will take you off of the list if you turn down their request to teach too many times.

The problem is that if you take their offer, you will need to teach right away with them otherwise you are taking the chance that they will never call you again.

I rather teach with few schools that give you yearly contracts with consitent courses rather than too many that can drop you any time if you turn them down. The problem is that not too many schools work this way.

Originally Posted by graymatter

I currently have 4 classes going (2 of the same UOP courses. Do you really think that adjuncts can't adequately manage 4 courses at a time (total of 60 students) if they don't have "outside" employment?

4 courses is pretty decent. Danielle Babb is the author of the book "Make money teaching online" and she recommends teaching from 7 to 10 per term in order to reach the 100K mark.

	Education Degrees Education Degrees Teachers play an important role in fostering the intellectual and social development of children during their formative years. The education that students acquire is key to determining the future of those students. Whether in elementary or high schools or in private or public schools, teachers provide the tools and the environment for their students to develop into responsible adults. Teachers act as facilitators or coaches, using classroom presentations or individual instruction to help students learn and apply concepts in subjects such as science, mathematics, and English. They plan, evaluate, and assign lessons; prepare, administer, and grade tests; listen to oral presentations; and maintain classroom discipline. Teachers observe and evaluate a student's performance and potential. They are increasingly asked to use new assessment methods •Public school teachers must be licensed, which typically requires a bachelor's degree and the completion of an approved teacher education program; private school teachers do not have to be licensed but may still need a bachelor's degree. •Job prospects are best for teachers in high-demand fields, such as mathematics, science, and bilingual education, and in less desirable urban or rural school districts. •Teachers must have the ability to communicate, inspire trust and confidence, and motivate students, as well as understand students' educational and emotional needs. Click Here to find FREE information on schools offering this course of study.

Originally Posted by RFValve

There are some pros and cons when you take too many schoools. As you mentioned, it is good to add to your portfolio a school that can help you to minimize risk of unemployment but also some schools will take you off of the list if you turn down their request to teach too many times.

The problem is that if you take their offer, you will need to teach right away with them otherwise you are taking the chance that they will never call you again.

I rather teach with few schools that give you yearly contracts with consitent courses rather than too many that can drop you any time if you turn them down. The problem is that not too many schools work this way.

One school at teach at has an unwritten rule of - decline once and you are okay, decline classes twice in a row and you go to the bottom of the list and may never get a class again,

Originally Posted by Randell1234

One school at teach at has an unwritten rule of - decline once and you are okay, decline classes twice in a row and you go to the bottom of the list and may never get a class again,

Yes, this is the problem with online adjunct teaching . Scheduling vacations or short term leaves is not an option, they can drop you any time and never call you back again. I used to bring laptops to Vacations for this reason.

	Education Degrees Education Degrees Teachers play an important role in fostering the intellectual and social development of children during their formative years. The education that students acquire is key to determining the future of those students. Whether in elementary or high schools or in private or public schools, teachers provide the tools and the environment for their students to develop into responsible adults. Teachers act as facilitators or coaches, using classroom presentations or individual instruction to help students learn and apply concepts in subjects such as science, mathematics, and English. They plan, evaluate, and assign lessons; prepare, administer, and grade tests; listen to oral presentations; and maintain classroom discipline. Teachers observe and evaluate a student's performance and potential. They are increasingly asked to use new assessment methods •Public school teachers must be licensed, which typically requires a bachelor's degree and the completion of an approved teacher education program; private school teachers do not have to be licensed but may still need a bachelor's degree. •Job prospects are best for teachers in high-demand fields, such as mathematics, science, and bilingual education, and in less desirable urban or rural school districts. •Teachers must have the ability to communicate, inspire trust and confidence, and motivate students, as well as understand students' educational and emotional needs. Click Here to find FREE information on schools offering this course of study.

Originally Posted by RFValve

Yes, this is the problem with online adjunct teaching. Scheduling vacations or short term leaves is not an option, they can drop you any time and never call you back again. I used to bring laptops to Vacations for this reason.

I went on a cruise to Mexico and Grand Cayman and purchased internet minutes on board to keep up. It burnt a few hours a night (slow connection) and about $200 bucks!

Originally Posted by Randell1234

One school at teach at has an unwritten rule of - decline once and you are okay, decline classes twice in a row and you go to the bottom of the list and may never get a class again,

I'm finding that out, the hard way.

Originally Posted by RFValve

Yes, this is the problem with online adjunct teaching. Scheduling vacations or short term leaves is not an option, they can drop you any time and never call you back again. I used to bring laptops to Vacations for this reason.

That's why I have a laptop and broadband wireless card, they've been lifesavers during vacations, although one day I had to use a public library in New Hampshire because my wireless card (or the system) decided to take a 24-hour vacation.