Faculty Credential Requirements

It is the policy of Glen Oaks Community College that faculty shall possess at a minimum from a regionally accredited college or university:

• a Master’s degree in the academic field to be taught. If this is not possessed, then
• a Master’s in any academic field, with 18 graduate semester hours in the academic field to be taught. If this is not possessed, then a Master’s in any academic field with evidence of expertise in the academic field to be taught and demonstrated through publications in the field, wide critical and public acclaim, industry certifications in the field, years of experience working in the field successfully, or other evidence as defined in document: “The Higher Learning Commission Guidance on Determining Qualified Faculty”.

Minimum requirement exceptions may include non-transferable and/or occupational disciplines.

Faculty who do not currently possess the appropriate qualifications must present a written document outlining how he/she will obtain the qualification and the time frame in which he/she will do so. This plan must be approved by the Credentialing Committee.

The teaching candidate may present evidence of qualifications to the Credentialing Committee. The Credentialing Committee will include the Dean of Teaching and Learning, the Associate Dean of Extended Learning and Workforce Development, and three faculty members—one of whom should have expertise in the teaching field being reviewed.

The OLAT committee may also review and recommend submissions of evidence of expertise for any Distance Learning faculty member requesting such review/consideration as noted in the Letter of Agreement.