Academic and Professional Preparation (A-49)
Original Implementation: April 20, 1999
Last Revision: October 30, 2007
The selection, development, and retention of competent faculty at all academic levels are of major importance in providing the students an education of the highest quality. Recruitment and appointment procedures for faculty are specified in policy E-24A, Faculty Search. Approved appointment titles are specified in policy E-01A, Academic Appointments and Titles.
Prior to selection, minimum standards for all faculty must be met and documented. Each full-time and part-time faculty member teaching credit courses leading toward the baccalaureate degree, other than activity courses, must have completed at least 18 graduate semester hours in the content discipline and, at a minimum, hold a master's degree. In exceptional cases, outstanding professional experience and demonstrated contributions to the content discipline may be presented in lieu of formal academic preparation. Appropriate documentation and justifications must be provided by the academic unit.
Each faculty member teaching courses at the master's degree level must hold a terminal degree, usually the earned doctorate, in the content or related discipline. In other areas, a master's degree in the content discipline coupled with a doctoral degree in a related discipline is considered appropriate. It is the responsibility of the academic unit to justify the master's degree, or master's in the content discipline coupled with a related doctorate, as the terminal degree for faculty members teaching in those disciplines.
All faculty members teaching courses at the doctoral degree level must hold a terminal degree in the content or related. In unusual cases, graduate faculty may be utilized who have demonstrated exceptional scholarly or creative activity, or professional experience, but who may not possess the required academic credentials. Such exceptional cases must be completely justified and documented by the academic unit.
Graduate teaching assistants who have primary responsibility for teaching a course for credit and/or for assigning final grades for such a course must have earned at least 18 graduate semester hours in their content discipline, be under the direct supervision of a faculty member experienced in the content discipline, receive regular in-service training, and be evaluated regularly.
The highest earned degree presented as the credential qualifying the faculty member to teach must be from a regionally accredited institution. If the degree is from a non-regionally accredited institution, the academic unit must show evidence that the faculty member has appropriate academic preparation and/or professional experience.
Appropriate documentation includes official transcripts and, if applicable for demonstrating competence, official documentation of professional and work experience, technical and performance competency, records of publications, certifications and other qualifications. All such documentation must be kept current and on file. Official university files are maintained in the Office of the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs.
Cross Reference: Faculty Handbook and Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
Responsible for Implementation: Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Contact for Revision: Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Forms: None