RSCC Policy PA-27-01; Faculty Qualifications

Roane State Community College

Policy Number: PA-27-01

Subject: Faculty Qualifications

Purpose
It is the policy of Roane State Community College to employ faculty whose qualifications comply with the policies and guidelines of the Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) and the standards of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Qualifications
1. Faculty members must meet the college’s requirements, as outlined in the Faculty Qualifications Manual, to teach in the academic disciplines. These requirements include those of applicable professional accrediting and/or approval agencies. The qualifications for teaching at RSCC are the same for full-time and part-time faculty, and the applicable qualifications to teach courses in the academic disciplines apply to all delivery modes.
2. Roane State’s Faculty Qualifications Manual is the source for information regarding the criteria for teaching all courses at the collegiate level. A review of this manual is conducted annually by the Office of the Vice President for Student Learning.
3. In most cases, academic degrees presented for credentialing will be awarded from regionally accredited institutions. In the event that the faculty member is a graduate of an institution that is not regionally accredited or is a graduate of an institution outside the United States, a further review of credentials will be conducted to ensure appropriate academic preparation.
Certification of Qualifications
1. Qualifications for all faculty must be certified by the appropriate academic dean prior to the teaching appointment and all employment must be conducted according to the screening and hiring procedures outlined in RSCC policy PA-18-01. (Access the complete RSCC policy PA-18-01, Hiring and Recruiting, at www.roanestate.edu/policies/.) Candidates graduating from foreign universities must supply appropriate qualifying credentials (or certified translation of those credentials) prior to employment.
2. If licensure or special certifications are required for the accreditation of an academic program, these credentials must be filed with the Human Resources office prior to employment. It is the responsibility of the faculty to ensure that such licensure or special certifications are renewed when required.
3. Alternative Qualifications Review
  1. Under special circumstances, faculty members may be hired by exception. Exceptions to qualifications outlined in the Faculty Qualifications Manual may occur in two cases:
    1. The faculty member has outstanding professional experience and demonstrated contributions to the teaching discipline which may be presented in lieu of formal academic preparation.
    2. The faculty member has training in a closely related discipline and the competencies needed to teach the course objectives are covered by the documented training in the related discipline.
  2. In these cases, qualifying documentation must be provided which may include academic transcripts, professional letters of support, documentation of professional experience, current certifications/licenses held, awards received or other pertinent items. After review of the qualifying documentation, the dean must forward a signed Alternative Qualifications Form (found within the Faculty Credentials Manual) with accompanying documentation to the Vice President for Student Learning for review and approval.

Revision History: 02/02/2009, 07/06/2009

TBR Policy Reference: 5.01.01.00

Revision Date Effective: 02/20/2023

Revision Approval By: Christopher L. Whaley, President

Original Date Effective: 02/15/1999

Original Approval By: Sherry L. Hoppe, President

Office Responsible: Vice President Student Learning

Reviewed: 09/22/2022

Roane State Community College

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