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Course Design & Improvement Stipends

Departments may award stipends to faculty for A) developing a new hybrid or online course, or B) modifying an existing course. Review stipend types and requirements below.

Course Design & Improvement Stipends by UL Lafayette Online 

Please note:

  • A faculty member who is awarded a stipend will be required to work on course development with the Office of Distance Learning for adherence to quality standards.
  • Faculty awarded a stipend must have the course certified after it is taught twice, according to guidelines set by the Distance Learning Leadership Council.

Course Design Stipend:

  • A monetary incentive of $3,000 may be given to a faculty member developing a new hybrid or online course.
  • If two or more faculty members are working in collaboration on developing an online course, the stipend will be split evenly among all instructors.
  • Only one stipend will be awarded for the same course number per department. The Department Head will make the final decision if more than one faculty member applies for a stipend for the same course.
  • One "model" course should be developed per course number. Other faculty members are encouraged to use this model course to teach online. The Department Head for each department will develop procedures for ensuring that as improvements are made to the model online course, all instructors will make the appropriate changes to their courses.
  • Payment of the stipend will be made after the course is internally reviewed and meets the Quality Matters Essential and Accessibility Standards.

Course Improvement Stipend:

Course improvement is qualified as revising 20-60% of a course with improvements to content and/or design. Updating course content only is a basic responsibility of all faculty members and does not qualify for a stipend. Faculty making qualifying course improvements may be awarded a $1,000 course improvement stipend.

Upon improvement, the course must meet all six Quality Matters Alignment Standards as verified by an instructional designer within the Office of Distance Learning before payment of the stipend will be made.

Course Redesign Stipend:

A redesign is qualified as revising 61-100% of a course with widescale content and design improvements. Faculty redesigning a course may be awarded a $3,000 course redesign stipend.

Upon redesign, the course must meet all Quality Matters Essential and Accessibility Standards as verified by an instructional designer within the Office of Distance Learning before payment of the stipend will be made.

Review these guidelines with your department head. Once you've agreed on a stipend type, your department head with email a PAF to elearningfund@louisiana.edu to initiate the process.