Instructional Connections, LLC is a leading third-party provider of instructional support services for colleges and universities, offering fully online courses and degree programs. Through strategic partnerships, institutions leverage Instructional Connections to expand access, elevate delivery, and scale excellence in high-quality asynchronous courses and high-demand academic programs. Embedded within the online course, an Academic Coach—also referred to as a Teaching Assistant, Course Assistant, or Instructional Associate, depending on the program—supports faculty in course delivery and assists students in adhering to course structure, managing requirements, and successfully progressing through the online curriculum.
ACADEMIC COACH OVERVIEW
We are seeking dedicated and passionate Online Academic Coaches to join our team as independent contractors (1099). The ideal candidate will play a key role in supporting students’ academic success by providing instructional support to faculty in fully online courses. This role requires excellent communication skills and the ability to effectively assess and address students' needs asynchronously, in line with the expectations of the faculty of record. Academic Coaches will work closely under the guidance of the course’s faculty of record to support students.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Following the faculty’s directions to meet their expectations and requirements.
• Respond to all inquiries and emails within 24 hours, seven days a week, for the course duration.
• Monitor, engage, and/or participate in discussion threads only when instructed by the faculty, which may vary from faculty to faculty.
• Provide formative feedback and grade the assignments based on detailed rubrics and additional faculty-mandated inter-rater reliability tasks within 72 hours of the assignment's due date.
• Post any faculty-approved and prescribed announcements,
• Participate in regularly scheduled Faculty and Academic Coach conference calls to review faculty expectations, grading standards and rubrics, and potential at-risk students.
• Perform other routine course management tasks as assigned and/or approved by the faculty of record throughout the course duration, with the faculty having the final say and responsibility for the course.
GENERAL QUALIFICATIONS (see specific and detailed requirement further down):
• Excellent written communication skills are required.
• Strong technical skills and basic computer proficiency are required.
• Experience in education, teaching, professional development, or training preferred.
• Experience with online teaching and learning management (LMS) platforms is preferred.
• Highly organized, independent worker and problem solver who can manage their time while working remotely with a flexible schedule.
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GENERAL MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS: (may vary depending on the specific discipline/course and/or the university’s request):
A conferred master’s (graduate) degree in a field directly related to the assigned course subject matter. Institutions require transcript documentation showing at least 18 graduate-level credit hours completed in the designated content area to ensure subject-matter expertise.
In some cases, a doctorate or active pursuit of a terminal degree may be preferred, and for specific programs or advanced courses, it may be required.
These standards may be adjusted to align with our university’s established requirements, accreditation bodies, licensing mandates, or institutional policies to maintain compliance and academic rigor.
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To be considered, individuals must complete our online application available on our website: https://instructionalconnections(dot)com/jobs
Please note that 'application' or other documents submitted through or within the Indeed system will NOT be accepted or reviewed.
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PRIMARY AREAS OF NEED BY PROGRAM TYPE AND COURSE SUBJECT MATTER
These requirements are fixed, not flexible, and not open to interpretation. They represent the minimum standards established by our university partners to ensure compliance with the regulatory and accreditation agencies that oversee their institutions and programs.
We do not support any programs or courses at the high school level, the associate’s degree level, or in dual‑credit formats. Nearly 75% of the courses we are asked to support are graduate‑level—primarily Master’s degree programs. The undergraduate courses we do support are typically upper‑level Bachelor’s degree courses.
REQUIREMENTS FOR BUSINESS PROGRAMS (Graduate-Level/master’s degree Level): A minimum of a master’s degree in a business-related field, with at least 18 graduate-level credit hours completed in the specific course content area listed below, is REQUIRED. A Terminal Degree or actively pursuing a Terminal Degree is PREFERRED. Business degrees from AACSB- or ACBSP-accredited institutions are highly desirable. Some experience in online higher education is a plus. Three to five years of industry experience in the field is preferred.
• Artificial Intelligence (master’s degree in a closely related field required)
• Business Law & Ethics (master’s degree in a closely related field required, JD is preferred)
• Computer Science (master’s degree in computer science or a closely related area is REQUIRED)
• Data Analytics/Quantitative Analysis with PYTHON experience (master’s degree REQUIRED)
• Economics (master’s degree in economics or a closely related area is REQUIRED)
• Engineering Management (master’s degree in engineering management or a closely related area is REQUIRED)
• Finance (master’s degree or MBA with a concentration in finance or a closely related field is REQUIRED, CFP preferred)
• Graphic Design (master’s degree - MA, MS, MFA, etc. - in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, or other closely related field is REQUIRED)
• Healthcare Administration and Informatics/EHR (master’s degree in a closely related field required, with relevant work experience)
• Marketing/Digital & Social Media Marketing (master’s degree in marketing or a closely related area is REQUIRED)
• Strategic Communications (master’s degree in professional communications, Corporate Communications, or closely related field REQUIRED)
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REQUIREMENTS FOR COMPUTER SCIENCE PROGRAMS (Graduate-Level/master’s degree Level): A minimum of a Master’s Degree in Computer Science or an Information Technology-related field with at least 18+ graduate-level credit hours completed in the specific course content area listed below is REQUIRED. Three to five years of industry experience in the field is preferred.
• Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (master’s degree in AI/Machine Learning or closely related field(s) is REQUIRED)
• Business or Data Analytics/Quantitative Analysis with PYTHON experience (master’s degree is REQUIRED)
• Computer Science (master’s degree in computer science is REQUIRED)
• Computer/Software Programming (master’s degree REQUIRED, experience in PYTHON strongly desired)
• Cybersecurity/IT Security (master’s degree REQUIRED)
• Information Technology Mgmt (master’s degree REQUIRED)
• Health Informatics (master’s degree in health, clinical, nursing, biomedical informatics, or other closely related field is REQUIRED, with a RHIA or RHIT certification strongly preferred)
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REQUIREMENTS FOR OTHER DISCIPLINES (Undergraduate and/or Graduate Level): A minimum of a master’s degree with at least 18 graduate credit hours within the specified course content area is REQUIRED. Undergraduate courses or credits are not considered. Experience in online higher education is preferred. In some fields or for specific courses, a doctorate or terminal degree may be preferred.
• Philosophy (master’s degree in Philosophy, Logic, Humanities, or other closely related field is REQUIRED)
• Media/Film Studies/Motion Pictures (master’s degree in Media/Film Studies, Motion Picture History or other closely related field is REQUIRED)
• Nutrition (master's degree in Nutrition or other closely related area that is directly applicable to Nutrition is REQUIRED)
• US/American History (master’s degree in US or American History is REQUIRED)
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To be considered, individuals must complete our online application available on our website: https://instructionalconnections(dot)com/jobs
The 'Indeed application' process or documents will not be reviewed or used; you MUST apply using our online application to be reviewed and considered. We do NOT use the Indeed application system.
Please note that 'application' or other documents submitted through or within the Indeed system will NOT be accepted or reviewed.
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We cannot consider or hire applicants who are not U.S. citizens or who lack authorization to work in the U.S. Applicants for employment must have current and valid work authorization (https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states) that does not require sponsorship or other support/documentation of a visa for employment authorization in the United States with Instructional Connections, such as H1-B visa, F-1 visa (OPT), TN visa, or any other non-immigrant status.
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Thank you. We truly appreciate your interest.
Job Type: Contract
Benefits:
• Flexible schedule
People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply
Application Question(s):
• You acknowledge that to be considered for the Academic Coach position, you must submit our online application (using the following URL: https://form.jotform.com/222715001762951).
Any application materials or documents shared through the Indeed system will not be opened or reviewed.
Education:
• Master's (Required)
Experience:
• online teaching: 2 years (Preferred)
Location:
• United States (Required)
Work Location: Remote