COMPLIANCE WITH SACS ACCREDITATION

REQUIREMENTS ON FACULTY CREDENTIALS

The Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges & Schools (SACS), which grants KSU its essential institutional accreditation, focuses heavily on institutional compliance with the accreditation criteria pertaining to meeting the minimal faculty credentials to teach at the college level and having on file evidence which documents compliance. The specific requirements are reflected in the following excerpts from the Criteria on Accreditation (2000):

4.8.2.2 Baccalaureate Programs

1. Each full-time and part-time faculty member teaching credit courses leading toward the baccalaureate degree, other than physical education activities courses, must have completed at least 18 graduate semester hours in the teaching discipline and hold at least a master’s degree, or hold the minimum of a master’s degree with a major in the teaching discipline.

2. In exceptional cases, outstanding professional experience and demonstrated contributions to the teaching discipline may be presented in lieu of formal academic preparation. Such cases must be justified by the institution on an individual basis.

3. It is the responsibility of the institution to keep on file for all full-time and part-time faculty members documentation of academic preparation, such as official transcripts, and, if appropriate for demonstrating competence, official documentation of professional and work experience, technical and performance competency, records of publications, certifications, and other qualifications.

4.8.2.3 Graduate Programs

1. Each faculty member teaching courses at the master’s and specialist degree level must hold the terminal degree, usually the earned doctorate, in the teaching discipline or a related discipline. In some instances, the master’s degree in the discipline may be considered the terminal degree, such as the M.F.A., the M.S.W., and the M.L.S.; in others, a master’s degree in the discipline coupled with a doctoral degree in a related discipline is considered appropriate.

2. All faculty members teaching courses at the doctoral degree level must hold the earned doctorate in the teaching discipline or a related discipline.

3. The Commission recognizes that in unusual cases institutions may appropriately include as graduate faculty members those who have demonstrated exceptional scholarly or creative activity, or professional experience, but who may not possess the required academic credentials. There also may be an occasion when a new graduate discipline is in its formative stage in higher education and there are no faculty members available with academic credentials in the discipline. In either case, when an institution presents evidence of competence or academic credentials other than the doctorate in the discipline for its graduate faculty, it must justify the employment of such faculty.

4. It is the responsibility of the institution to keep on file, for all full-time and part-time faculty members teaching graduate courses, documentation of academic preparation, such as official transcripts and, if appropriate for demonstrating competence, official documentation of professional and work experience, technical and performance competency, records of publications, and certifications and other qualifications.

JUSTIFICATION AND DOCUMENTATION FOR AN

EXCEPTION TO THE FORMAL ACADEMIC PREPARATION

REQUIREMENTS FOR A FULL-TIME OR PART-TIME

FACULTY APPOINTMENT

Faculty Member’s Name:

Status/Rank/Title:

Department/College:

Expected Discipline Area of Teaching:

Expected Course Assignments or Level of Instruction:

Extent of Deviation of this Faculty Member’s Formal Academic Preparation from the Minimum Graduate Degree Requirements for USG Approval and/or SACS Accreditation:

JUSTIFICATION AND EVIDENCE FOR GRANTING

AN EXCEPTION TO THE MINIMUM

GRADUATE DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

(Respond to all items)

1. Documented Evidence of Performance Competence & Success in College Teaching Elsewhere:

2. Documented Evidence of Substantial & Successful Related Work Experience:

3. Documented Evidence of Recognized Certifications or Licensures Which Are Related to and Acceptable for University Level Instruction:

4. Other Documented Evidence of Outstanding Achievement, Expertise, Scholarship and/or Creative Activity:

5. List of Official Documentation Secured and Attached to Support the Justifications Outlined in 1-4 above:

6. Plans for Any Expected Limitations on or Special Supervision Related to KSU Course Assignments:

APPROVALS & ENDORSEMENTS FOR GRANTING THIS EXCEPTION

Department Chair:_____________________________________________ Date:______________

Dean:________________________________________________________ Date:______________


Graduate Dean (If applicable):____________________________________     Date:______________

VPAA:_______________________________________________________ Date:______________