PROCEDURES FOR THE INITIATION, MONITORING AND PERIODICAL REVIEW OF PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES CARRIED OUT
Titu Maiorescu University has a Quality Assurance Regulation at the “Titu Maiorescu” University in Bucharest and the Regulation on Initiation, Approval, Monitoring and Periodic Evaluation of Study Programs at Titu Maiorescu University in Bucharest. Regulation setting out the general framework, content and organization of activities related to the initiation, approval, monitoring and periodic evaluation of bachelor’s and master’s degree programs at Titu Maiorescu University in Bucharest.
Based on these Regulations, the Faculty of Psychology permanently adopts measures to ensure the quality of the educational process.
The concrete quality management elements used for the IF and ID study programs comprise several specific procedures that are as follows:
1. Procedure for periodic evaluation of the performance of the coordinators of disciplines and tutors
The evaluation of the activity and performance of the respective college of discipline is possible and is carried out within the general academic structure of the university: the evaluation at the Department level, through the Department Director and at the faculty level, through the evaluation committee of the quality of didactic activity. This assessment takes place in two directions:
- In terms of the scientific content of the didactic activity (evaluation carried out by the Department Director and the team of specialists of the Department);
- Administrative evaluation by the I.D. The faculty and the dean of the faculty.
The performance indicators for the discipline coordinators are:
- Level of discipline coverage with teaching materials D.E .
- The range of means of communication with students;
- The rate of graduation to the respective disciplines.
The assessment is annual and is the basis for improving the activity in the next academic year. Discipline coordinators and low-performance tutors will attend special training programs.
The data obtained from the evaluations are statistically processed and analyzed in the Departments where corrective measures are proposed and adopted.
2. Procedure for monitoring educational plans
The monitoring procedure for the curricula involves two activities:
a) Drawing up and approving educational plans, including approving the methodologies used in each discipline. This action is carried out within the framework of the general teaching management system. Educational plans are approved in the faculty departments and endorsed by the Senate of the university. In particular, at every D.E. program, the specific implementation procedures, according to the standards developed at the university level and approved by the Senate.
b) Implementation of education plans. This action includes direct monitoring of planned activities and is carried out through a specific organizational structure. This structure includes the Dean, Deputy, Department Directors and the D.E. Director per faculty .
3. The procedure for periodically updating the curricula and study materials
Annually, through a specialized commission approved by the Senate at the level of each study program, a thorough analysis of all its provisions is carried out.
In correlation with the results of the teachers’ assessments by the students and the economic and social environment, the curriculum is improved. For this purpose, the curricula of other universities are also consulted with similar study programs. The same is done with the disciplines’ programs, which pay particular attention to evaluation methods and the updating of the bibliographic references.
In parallel, there is a review of the study materials package (course notes / seminars / laboratories, test batteries, questionnaires, homeworks, etc.).
4. The procedure for training the staff involved in distance learning programs
The training process is carried out through training activities as well as participation in specific national and international events.
The current procedure is based on the annual organization (at the end of the academic year) of continuous training activities, on topics of didactic technology specific to distance education.
On this occasion, the platform manager performs the up-grade training of all staff involved in distance education.
Student Distance Education Guidelines and Distance Education tutorials are also used for this purpose.
PROCEDURES FOR PERIODIC EVALUATION OF THE QUALITY OF THE PROFESSIONAL BODY
At the level of the Faculty of Psychology, the ratio between the number of teachers and students meets the normative requirements, we appreciate that it is a good report for achieving the objectives of the study programs and the academic quality pursued.
Occupation of basic teaching positions is done through competition, in accordance with the legislation in force, which offers transparency and objectivity in the procedures for conducting competitions for filling posts, as well as the score grids used to verify the fulfillment of the criteria stipulated in the specific legislation. These regulations respect the fulfillment of quantitative and qualitative standards for the occupation of each teaching function required by the law (qualification specific to the study programs and the announced quality objectives, scientific papers, participation in international scientific events, doctorate, education seniority), the standards considered and Respected when conducting competitions.
Candidates for the competition and the fulfillment of the conditions stipulated by law are registered by the Economic and Human Resources Department and the Legal Office of the University with the opinion of the Vice-Rector responsible for the education.
All teaching staff teaching in our faculty meet the requirements of the law and have the specific competencies for the occupation of the positions provided in the state of duties.
Functional states are drawn up in the Departments, in accordance with the provisions of the National Education Law 1/2011, both in terms of the determination and calculation of the number of teaching hours on the structure of didactic functions, as well as the total number of hours for the six semesters With the appropriate number of weeks.
According to the licensing program function states, the titular didactic staff does not cover more than two teaching norms in one academic year, irrespective of the higher education institution where they operate.
All discipline holders have a PhD degree. All discipline holders have developed courses, course support, analytical programs for both day and distance education.
Associate teaching staff who hold some vacant positions shall meet the same requirements of enrollment as posted under the legal conditions as well as the professional and scientific proficiency requirements specific to the study programs and the quality objectives announced. All associate teachers have contracts with the University, contracts that regulate their work during a university year.
However, each bachelor’s degree program respects the required percentage of titular teachers, as well as the percentage of teachers and lecturers provided in the ARACIS accreditation standards. Associate teaching staff who carry out tutorial activities and TC didactic activities consists of reputed specialists with theoretical and practical experience, information transmitters to our students.
Also, most assistants have graduated from master classes, with the University supporting the cost of these postgraduate specializations. The vast majority of assistants are doctors in the specializations for which they support tutorial or assisted activities, with the University pursuing, through its human resources policy, the formation of a young and trained team to take over the course coordination.
Most of the teaching staff, besides academic training, have graduated postgraduate courses, information and documentation stages (in the country and abroad) or have the scientific title of doctor. The teaching staff also has the necessary pedagogical training, graduating from the Department for Teaching Staff Training.
Titu Maiorescu University has developed a Regulation on the Periodical Evaluation of Teaching Staff, which provides for three forms of periodical teacher evaluation.
Self evaluation
Teacher self-evaluation is mandatory and is done annually by filling in the teacher’s self-evaluation sheet, differentiated by teacher’s class: teachers, lecturers, lecturers, assistants.
From the analysis of the annual self-evaluation sheets, the management of the faculty and the university can appreciate the entire activity of each teacher during each academic year.
Peer evaluation
Peer review is compulsory and is conducted annually, based on general criteria such as: discipline, task assignment, (drafting courses, course support, analytical programs, disciplinary papers), continuing education and training, scientific research (grants, projects National, European, reeditations, etc.).
At the level of the Departments, an evaluation committee (consisting of the Department Director and the members of the Board of the Department) is in charge of centralizing the didactic and research performance of each teacher, producing a report on the quality of the teaching and research staff.
It is noteworthy that the assessments were based on real criteria, our teachers taking up their previous assessments and ensuring by their preparation and conscientiousness a high academic level of didactic activity.
Assessment of teaching staff by the students
Evaluation of teachers by students is compulsory and are carried out annually in the second semester of the academic year, this type of assessment being introduced in the Faculty of Psychology under the European Matra Program to enhance quality in higher education, undertaken in the period 2002- 2004.
Student assessment covers all teachers, from assistant to university professor and all disciplines from all forms of training, regardless of the form of education. Evaluation results are analyzed and processed individually Statistics and the faculty departments, in the formulation of policies on quality of education, as well as a staff policy on recruitment and promotion of teachers.
Questionnaire evaluation of teachers by students was designed by a team consisting of psychologists, representatives of the Department for human resources, payroll and teachers with different degrees and includes a space for additional comments or suggestions student evaluator.
Teacher evaluation by the faculty and university management
The assessment of the quality of the teaching activity was a permanent concern of the faculty leadership.
Teachers’ assessment is conducted annually and is the responsibility of the Department Directors, who are required to make an annual assessment of the fulfillment of all standards of individual teacher performance by integrating the assessment sheet and the results of self-evaluation and student assessment.
In this respect, the Faculty of Psychology has used a questionnaire that provides data on the academic standard and the level of teaching-methodological training of the teaching staff.
Applying the questionnaire as a component of ongoing quality management is a positive aspect of our faculty work.
The overall level of the assessments is above average (good and very good), and from the analysis of the evaluations carried out in 2013-2014, 90% of the total number of the teachers obtained the qualification very well and 10% , The faculty acquiring students’ suggestions on using modern teaching methods and supporting tutorial and assisted activities.
