FAQs - Academic Personnel Certificate Program

1. What is the Academic Personnel Certificate Program?
   
   The Academic Personnel Certificate Program (APCP) is a collaboration between the Office of the Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and University Human Resources. Presented by senior staff members, the program ensures that employees responsible for administering academic personnel matters develop the essential knowledge, skills, and abilities to effectively recruit, appoint, and reappoint all types of academic personnel and apply relevant provisions of university policies and labor agreements related to academic personnel.
   
   
2. Who should attend the Academic Personnel Certificate Program?
   
   The program is targeted at full-time university employees responsible for administering academic personnel matters. Employees newly hired or promoted into positions responsible for academic personnel matters will be encouraged to enroll in the program.
   
   
3. What are the requirements for completing the certificate?
   
   Participants must complete the required five foundation courses and at least one elective course of their choice within a period of 18 months from completion of their initial workshop.
   
   
4. Who may participate in the Academic Personnel Certificate Program? Is it open to students?
   
   Any full-time Rutgers faculty or staff employee may attend the program. The program is not intended for Rutgers students unless they are also full-time faculty or staff members.
   
   
5. What are the benefits of completing the Academic Personnel Certificate?
   

   Benefits for attendees include:

   • Credibility that comes from earning a university-sponsored certificate
   • Increased knowledge of available resources to make job easier and more enjoyable
   • Ability to prepare relevant documents related to academic personnel matters
   • Increased knowledge of Rutgers AAUP-AFT agreements and Rutgers policies related to academic personnel
   • Opportunity to network with peers

   Benefits for department heads and departments include:

   • Increased employee morale through professional development
   • Improved quality of hiring and reappointment processes of academic personnel
   • Increased knowledge of university resources
   • Compliance with university polices, procedures, and labor agreements
   • More efficient sharing of resources among departments via networking
     
     
6. How do I get started?
   
   Visit the Professional Development Program website and browse through the workshop listings. Click on the “enroll” button and choose a workshop to start your program. Register for workshops of interest to you as they are offered until you have completed all five foundation courses and at least one elective course.
   
   
7. Can I still attend workshops even if I don’t want to enroll in the certificate program?
   
   Employees who are interested in any of the workshops may attend those sessions without enrolling in the certificate program.
   
   
8. I want to take as many courses as I can in the shortest amount of time to complete my certificate quickly. Is that a good idea?
   
   We recommend that you pace yourself. You have 18 months to complete the program. We recommend you spread your attendance at workshops out over that time period so that you can learn, absorb, and apply new ideas most effectively.
   
   
9. When will the courses be offered in the future?
   
   After the initial offering of courses in the spring 2009 semester, all courses will be scheduled once annually.
   
   
10. I’ve noticed courses are offered in New Brunswick, Newark, and Camden. May I attend workshops on any campus?
    
    You may attend workshops on any campus on which they are offered. The only requirement is that you register online in advance.
    
    
11. I’ve registered for a workshop but cannot attend. What should I do?
    
    You should withdraw from the course by going to your online workshop schedule. You can enroll in the course at a more convenient time.
    
    
12. I completed a course, but I want more information on a specific topic. How can I learn more?
    
    For additional information you may contact Lisa Bonick in the Office of Academic Labor Relations at 732-932-7174.
    
    

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Last Updated: 10/23/2008