Faculty Credentials and Qualifications

Section 4.K – Faculty Credentials and Qualifications

Vance-Granville Community College employs qualified faculty to accomplish its mission and goals. All degrees and credits used to define faculty qualifications must be from institutions accredited by a regional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Degrees and credits earned from foreign institutions must have been evaluated by a reputable transcript evaluation service and must document a level of educational attainment equivalent to that required for graduates of U.S. institutions.

“Otherwise Qualified” Documentation

When appropriate, significant or extensive experience and demonstrated contributions to the discipline or field of study may be presented in lieu of formal academic preparation. These exceptions must be justified by written documentation of the academic dean and approved through the faculty credentialing procedures at the College.

Official documentation of significant and extensive experience or contributions to the discipline may be demonstrated through: work experience, technical and performance competency, records of publications, certifications, or other qualifying credentials. Official or verified documentation of these supporting qualifications must be directly linked to the course description for the courses to be taught and maintained in the individual’s credential file.

References:

NC General Statute 115D-5

NC State Board of Community Colleges Code

• 1C SBCCC 300.97
• 1D SBCCC 400.93
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges Principles of Accreditation: Foundations for Quality Enhancement Comprehensive Standard 3.7.1
• VGCC Procedure: Faculty Academic Credentials

(approved July 16, 2018)

Procedures

Credential Guidelines

VGCC justifies and documents the qualifications of its faculty through internal faculty academic credentialing procedures by using the following guidelines when credentialing all full-time faculty, part-time faculty, and staff teaching credit courses that are part of a degree, diploma, or certificate program as well as developmental/remedial courses.

Faculty Teaching University Transfer Courses at the Undergraduate Level (AA/AS):

• Doctorate or master’s degree in the teaching discipline – or –
• Master’s degree with a concentration in the discipline (a minimum of 18 graduate semester hours in the teaching discipline preferred or a concentration of hours in the teaching discipline with significant work-related experience and/or credentials)

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

• Doctorate or master’s degree in the teaching discipline – or –
• Master’s degree with a concentration in the discipline (a minimum of 18 graduate semester hours in the teaching discipline preferred or a concentration of hours in the teaching discipline with significant work-related experience and/or credentials).

Faculty teaching associate degree courses not designed for transfer to the baccalaureate degree:

• Bachelor’s degree in the teaching discipline – or –
• Associate’s degree in the teaching discipline and demonstrated competencies and/or experience in the teaching discipline

Faculty teaching in a Diploma/Certificate Occupational Courses:

• Degree in the teaching discipline at least one level above the credential awarded –or–
• Degree in the teaching discipline equal to the credential awarded and documented experience and/or knowledge in the field

Faculty teaching developmental/remedial courses:

• Master’s degree in the teaching discipline or a related field – or –
• Master’s degree with 18 graduate semester hours in the discipline – or –
• Bachelor’s degree in the teaching discipline or a related field

Faculty Teaching Distance Education Courses

Faculty teaching distance education courses must meet all academic credentialing requirements as stated above. It is encouraged for all VGCC faculty teaching webenhanced, blended (hybrid), and Internet courses to successfully complete training in the College’s current learning management system prior to teaching. Accepted types of training include (a) training provided, supervised, and documented by VGCC designated personnel, or (b) evidence and certification of comparable course management systembased training offered by external Distance Education Administrators or commercial training specialists.