Policies

Stanly Community College (SCC) is dedicated to employing competent faculty members who are qualified to accomplish the mission and goals of the institution. In accordance with Standard 6.2.a of the Principles of Accreditation as outlined by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, SCC defines faculty qualifications using faculty credentials and gives primary consideration to the highest earned degree in the discipline in which the faculty member will be teaching. The College also considers competence and effectiveness, including, as appropriate, undergraduate and graduate degrees, related work experience in the teaching field, professional licensure and certifications, and honors and awards. 

1. All faculty members are responsible for submitting necessary documentation to the office of Human Resources to verify credentials appropriate to assigned course load. Necessary documents may include: 
   1. Official transcript(s) from a college or university accredited by a US Department of Education accepted accrediting agency such as the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), that demonstrate applicable course work, graduate hours, and/or degree completion. 
   2. Official documentation of a supplemental credential portfolio, to include but not be limited to professional work experience, technical competency, publications, certifications, and other qualifications as deemed necessary.
2. Human Resources will only release an application to the hiring manager if unofficial transcripts or necessary documents have been received. Official transcripts or portfolio are required within 60 days from hire date.
3. Prior to a recommendation for a committee interview, the Program/Department Head and Associate Vice President will review and approve faculty credentials. Faculty Credential Approval Forms must be submitted to the SACSCOC Liaison for all candidates recommended for hire.
4. At the time of hire for new adjunct faculty, the Program/Department Head will review faculty credentials and complete the Faculty Credential Approval Form. This form will be submitted for signatures and approval. A contract will not be issued until the Associate Vice President has final approval of credentials from the Vice President for Academic Affairs. 
5. Requests for existing faculty to teach outside of their approved category(s)/subject will be submitted on the Faculty Credential Approval Form. The form will be submitted by the requesting Program/Department Head to the Associate Vice President and then to the SACSCOC Liaison. The request will include a review of the faculty member’s transcripts on file and any updated transcripts or other documents to determine if the faculty member qualifies for additional categories/subject areas. In the event the faculty member does qualify, the Vice President for Academic Affairs will approve and submit the signed form to Human Resources. 

The following guidelines will be used to determine appropriate credentials: 

Category 1: Faculty Teaching University Transfer Courses at the Undergraduate Level (Associate in Arts or Associate in Science Degree) 

Faculty teaching in these courses are required to have a Master's degree in the teaching discipline or a Master's degree with a concentration in the teaching discipline (a minimum of 18 graduate semester hours in the teaching discipline or a concentration of hours in the teaching discipline with significant work-related experience and/or credentials). 

Category 2: Faculty Teaching Associate in Applied Science (AAS) Degree Courses Designed for Transfer to a Baccalaureate Degree 

Faculty teaching in these courses are required to have a Master's degree in the teaching discipline or a Master's degree with a concentration in the teaching discipline (a minimum of 18 graduate semester hours in the teaching discipline or a concentration of hours in the teaching discipline with significant work-related experience and/or credentials). 

Category 3: Faculty Teaching Associate in Applied Science Degree Courses Not Designed for Transfer to the Baccalaureate Degree 

Faculty teaching in these courses are required to have a Baccalaureate degree in a related discipline or an Associate's degree and demonstrated competencies in the teaching discipline. Demonstrated competences include, but are not limited to, academic credentials, professional experience, licensures and certifications, teaching evaluations and student outcomes, professional development activities, relevant awards and recognitions, portfolios of work, research, and professional publications.

In some Trades-related programs, faculty may be hired without an Associate’s degree if they have extensive work experience in a related field (10 years or more) and have current industry certifications or licensures relevant to the teaching discipline (examples include but are not limited to Building Construction Technology and Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration).

Category 4: Faculty Teaching in Diploma/Certificate Occupational Courses 

There are no current SACSCOC-published guidelines related to this category. Faculty teaching in these courses typically have some college or specialized training, with an emphasis on demonstrated competencies. Demonstrated competences include, but are not limited to, academic credentials, professional experience, licensures and certifications, teaching evaluations and student outcomes, professional development activities, relevant awards and recognitions, portfolios of work, research, and professional publications.. This category includes all of the College’s career and technical programs taught at either the diploma or the certificate level (examples include but are not limited to Electrical Systems Technology and Heavy Equipment Operations). 

Category 5: Faculty Teaching in Academic Support Courses, Work-Based Learning Courses, and Pre-College Level Courses

There are no current SACSCOC-published guidelines related to this category. Faculty members who teach ACA 122 must hold a minimum Master’s degree. Faculty members who teach  ACA 111 or other ACA courses must hold a minimum Associate’s degree, 

Faculty teaching or facilitating Work-based learning (WBL) courses must hold a minimum Associate’s degree.

Faculty teaching at the pre-college level must hold a minimum Baccalaureate Degree in a discipline related to their teaching assignment or have either teaching experience/credentials in a discipline related to their assignment or graduate training in developmental education. Pre-College level courses are numbered at the 001-099 level. 

Category 6: Faculty Teaching in Non-Curriculum (Continuing Education) Courses Governed by External Agency Requirements

There are no current SACSCOC-published guidelines related to this category. In order to comply with requirements of the North Carolina Community College System, faculty members in this area will have appropriate, verifiable experience and/or demonstrated contributions to the discipline or field of study. Documentation may include work experience, technical and performance competency, records of publication, certification, licensure, or other qualifying credentials and must be approved through the credentialing procedures identified on the Faculty Credential Approval Form.

Category 7: Faculty Teaching in College and Career Readiness Courses (CCR) 

There are no current SACSCOC-published guidelines related to this category. In order to comply with requirements of the North Carolina Community College System, faculty members in this area will hold a current teaching credential in secondary education or will hold a four-year degree from an accredited college or university and will be expected to complete the NCCCS Fundamentals of Teaching Adults I CORE certificate related to adult education within one year of their date of hire.  CCR Faculty members' credentials must be approved through the credentialing procedures identified on the CCR Faculty Credentialing Report.

Exceptions to the faculty credential guidelines listed above should be rare. When exceptions are made, sufficient documentation of faculty qualifications must be provided and should meet the spirit of the published guidelines. Exceptions require the approval of the President, the Chief Academic Officer, and the institutional accreditation liaison.

Revisions: 02/20/2014 (policy); 08/28/2017, 08/27/2018, 10/28/2021, 12/01/2024 (procedures)

References:

SACSCOC Standard 6.2.a, Faculty qualifications