Indiana University Northwest

Faculty Credentialing PolicyApproved Faculty Organization 04/20/2018

The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) requires that accredited institutions evaluate and enforce faculty qualifications in order to demonstrate that faculty have the appropriate subject matter expertise for teaching classes, supervising research, and conducting clinical experience. The Commission requires that institutions and departments have a written policy and that departments complete a document that states these requirements are met for those teaching, including full-time, part-time, adjunct, dual credit, temporary and non-tenuredfaculty. This policy creates a campus standard and sets standards for the appointment of all instructors teaching courses for academic credit at Indiana University Northwest. Departments are expected to review and submit the enclosed check sheet to the division dean, and then to Academic Affairs.

The HLC allows an institution to determine that a faculty member is qualified based on experience that the institution determines is equivalent to the degree it would otherwise require for a faculty position. This experience should be tested experience in that it includes a breadth and depth of experience outside of the classroom in real-world situations relevant to the discipline in which the faculty member would be teaching.

Credentials at the undergraduate level. The faculty member must meet one of the following:

  1. The individual must hold a doctorate or terminal degree in the field or closely-related field of the course.
  1. The individual must have a master’s degree in the field or closely-related field of the course.
  1. The individual must hold a master’s degree in another field, while having a minimum of 18 graduate semester hours in the field taught.
  1. The individual must have tested experience, which includes professional experience with managerial responsibilities or experience in an occupation related to the field; or hold a nationally recognized certificate or credentials in the field; or present ample publication of research in the field.

Credentials to teach at theMastersdegree level. The faculty member must meet one of the following:

  1. The individual must hold a doctorate or terminal degree in the field or closely-related field of the course.
  1. The individual must have a master’s degree in the field or closely-related fieldof the course, plus 10 years of professional experience.
  1. The individual must hold a master’s degree in another field, while having a minimum of 18 graduate semester hours in the field taught, plus 10 years of professional experience.
  1. The individual must have tested experience, which includes professional experience with managerial responsibilities or experience in an occupation related to the field; or hold a nationally recognized certificate or credentials in the field; or present ample publication of research in the field.

Faculty Credentials Check Sheet

Name______Academic Unit ______

Field Taught______

Undergraduate ______Graduate ______

Please indicate credentials which apply:

Credentials at the undergraduate level. The faculty member must meet one of the following:

_____1.The individual must hold a doctorate or terminal degree in the field or closely-related field of the course.

_____2.The individual must have a master’s degree in the field or closely-related fieldof the course.

_____3. The individual must hold a master’s degree in another field, while having a minimum of 18 graduate semester hours in the field taught.

_____4. The individual must have tested experience, which includes professional experience with managerial responsibilities or experience in an occupation related to the field; or hold a nationally recognized certificate or credentials in the field; or present ample publication of research in the field. Attach documentation to this document.

Credentials to teach at theMastersdegree level. The faculty member must meet one of the following:

_____1.The individual must hold a doctorate or terminal degree in the field or closely-related field of the course.

_____2.The individual must have a master’s degree in the field or closely-related fieldof the course, plus 10 years of professional experience.

_____3. The individual must hold a master’s degree in another field, while having a minimum of 18 graduate semester hours in the field taught, plus 10 years of professional experience.

_____4. The individual must have tested experience, which includes professional experience with managerial responsibilities or experience in an occupation related to the field; or hold a nationally recognized certificate or credentials in the field; or present ample publication of research in the field. Attach documentation to this document.

Signature______Date ______

Chair’s Signature ______Date ______

Dean’s Signature______Date______

Academic Affairs______Date______