Redefining faculty workload metrics: A data-driven approach

Background

Benchmarking faculty workload is key for equity, but a standard model like the Carnegie Unit, originally designed for student workload, does not fit all scenarios.

Methods

A novel Faculty Effort Data Collection Tool assessed whether the Carnegie Unit accurately reflected faculty effort in a graduate nursing program. Workload was evaluated course-by-course based on faculty self-reported hours.

Results

Analysis of 62 APRN courses showed faculty spent nearly twice the Carnegie Units expected (84 h of faculty effort per student credit hour vs the 45 projected). Half of courses exceeded 90 h per credit; 21 % were under the anticipated 45. In some courses, faculty effort was up to sevenfold higher than expected for a 3-credit course (996 h vs 135 h). A single, universally applicable “per credit hour” formula for all courses could not be identified. Using faculty reported hours, the taskforce designed a new course workload credit plan. Revised workload credits increased from 1 to 8 (mean 3.7) to 2 to 15 (mean 4.92), appropriately crediting faculty for their work.

Conclusions

The Carnegie Unit did not accurately reflect faculty effort in our program. A tailored approach was necessary to ensure fairness, and promote a more equitable distribution of effort.