ACE Policies Related to Faculty Qualifications

Faculty Qualifications Policy
Faculty Minimum Qualifications by Program

Faculty Qualification Examples

ACE is committed to providing high-quality education through the hiring and retaining of highly qualified faculty members. This section outlines ACE’s policies around credentialing faculty for ACE courses.

Faculty Qualification Policy

The Higher Learning Commission requires accredited institutions to determine and evaluate minimal faculty qualifications to demonstrate faculty have appropriate subject-matter expertise for teaching classes, supervising research and/or doing clinical/practical supervision. All departments are required to complete a “Faculty Minimum Qualifications” document that clearly identifies appropriate qualifications for specific assignments and responsibilities within the department. This applies to both undergraduate and graduate/ professional teaching as well as guiding student work outside the classroom (e.g., projects, theses, and dissertations). This policy articulates the consistent, routine method used by American College of Education to ensure students are taught by faculty members who are experts in the subject matter they teach and who can provide a high quality educational experience. This policy applies to all faculty members whose primary responsibility is teaching, including full-time, part-time adjunct, dual credit, temporary, and/or those responsible for developing curricula. Credentials outlined in this policy and the related “Faculty Minimum Qualifications” document represent minimal requirements. Tested experience may substitute for an earned credential or portions thereof. Acceptable tested experience is determined by department chairs and approved by the chief academic officer and may include teaching experience at appropriate levels, work experience, licenses, certifications, and/or other experiences. The “Faculty Minimum Qualifications” document clarifies minimum levels of acceptable credentials and tested experience. It is the policy of American College of Education that faculty teaching at the graduate or undergraduate level shall satisfy one of the following criteria:

Possess an earned academic degree specific to the field or sub-field one level above the level at which they teach, except in programs for terminal degrees in which faculty must possess the same level of degree.
All faculty members teaching at the doctoral level are required to have a record of recognized scholarship, creative endeavor, or achievement in practice commensurate with doctoral expectations as articulated in the “Faculty Qualification Certification Document”.
Possess an earned academic degree in any field one level above the level at which they teach, except in programs for terminal degrees in which faculty must possess the same level of degree, plus documented successful completion of at least 18 graduate credit hours in the discipline or sub-field in which they teach.
If the tenets in the above points are not met, approved evidence of professional and/or tested experience appropriate to the specific field or sub-field in which they teach must be provided.

There may be times when a uniquely qualified person not necessarily meeting stated minimum qualifications may be given an exception for a specific duty and for a fixed period of time within undergraduate or graduate education. In such situations, the department chair must submit a written justification for the exception indicating why the appointment is appropriate. The justification and exception must be approved by the chief academic officer.

Guidance regarding these criteria is contained in the Higher Learning Commission’s Guidelines for Determining Qualified Faculty.

All faculty applicants are required to submit unofficial transcripts during the application process. If the applicant’s CV and unofficial transcripts show qualifications for the position based on guidelines in this policy and the “Faculty Minimum Qualifications” document, then the applicant may be considered a candidate for employment.

If an applicant does not meet the minimum credential articulated in this policy or the “Faculty Minimum Qualifications” document, the applicant may still be considered for hire based on professional and/or tested experience as indicated on the “Faculty Minimum qualifications” document. In such cases, the department chair must submit the written justification and all supporting documentation to the chief academic officer for approval. Once approval has been obtained, all forms and documents are retained in the faculty HR file.

Faculty Minimum Qualifications by Program

Faculty are expected to meet the minimal credential in all programs. If a faculty member does not meet the minimum credential, but would be a strong employee, then some combination of professional experience and tested experience may serve to satisfy a portion of the credential requirement. If a faculty member is credentialed using professional or tested experience, then a justification must be written indicating the level of tested experience and professional experience the faculty member meets and how that is appropriate to the field and teaching assignment. The justification must be approved by the chief academic officer.

Department	Program(s)	Minimum Credential[1]	Professional and/or Tested Experience (1 year - 3 graduate credits)
Department of Teaching and Learning	M.Ed. Curriculum & Instruction	Doctorate in Curriculum & Instruction -OR- other doctorate with 18 graduate credits in Curriculum & Instruction	Doctorate degree and -EITHER- professional experience equivalent to 18 graduate credits in Curriculum and Instruction -OR- professional licensure or certification in the field, OR Professional experience equivalent to 24 graduate credits, a graduate degree in education, and professional licensure or certification in the field.
Department of Teaching and Learning	M.Ed. Integrated Curriculum	Doctorate in Integrated Curriculum -OR- other doctorate with 18 graduate credits in Integrated Curriculum	Doctorate degree and -EITHER- professional experience equivalent to 18 graduate credits in special education, gifted and talented instruction, or curricular design -OR- professional licensure or certification in the field, OR Professional experience equivalent to 24 graduate credits, a graduate degree, and professional licensure or certification in the field
Department of Teaching and Learning	M.Ed. ESL/Bilingual M.Ed. Teaching English Learners Graduate Certificate: English as a Second Language and Bilingual Education Graduate Certificate: Teaching English Learners	Doctorate in ESL/BL/Teaching English Learners/Second Language Instruction -OR- other doctorate with 18 graduate credits in ESL/BL/Teaching English Learners/Second Language Instruction	Doctorate degree and -EITHER- professional experience equivalent to 18 graduate credits in ESL/BL/Teaching English Learners/Second Language Instruction -OR- professional licensure or certification in the field, OR Professional experience equivalent to 24 graduate credits, a graduate degree, and professional licensure or certification in the field
Department of Teaching and Learning	M.Ed. Elementary Education	Doctorate in Elementary Education -OR- other doctorate with 18 graduate credits in Elementary Education	Doctorate degree and -EITHER- professional experience equivalent to 18 graduate credits in Elementary Education -OR- professional licensure or certification in the field, OR Professional experience equivalent to 24 graduate credits, a graduate degree, and professional licensure or certification in the field
Department of Teaching and Learning	M.Ed. Literacy	Doctorate in Literacy or Reading -OR- other doctorate with 18 graduate credits in Literacy or Reading	Doctorate degree and -EITHER- professional experience equivalent to 18 graduate credits in literacy or reading -OR- professional licensure or certification in the field, OR Professional experience equivalent to 24 graduate credits, a graduate degree, and professional licensure or certification in the field
Department of Teaching and Learning	M.Ed. Early Childhood Education	Doctorate in Early Childhood Education -OR- other doctorate with 18 graduate credits in Early Childhood Education	Doctorate degree and -EITHER- professional experience equivalent to 18 graduate credits in Early Childhood Education -OR- professional licensure or certification in the field, OR Professional experience equivalent to 24 graduate credits, a graduate degree, and professional licensure or certification in the field
Department of Teaching and Learning	M.A. Elementary Teaching Graduate Certificate: Transition to teaching in Elementary Education	Doctorate in Elementary Education -OR- other doctorate with 18 graduate credits in Elementary Education	Doctorate degree and -EITHER- professional experience equivalent to 18 graduate credits in Elementary Education discipline -OR- professional licensure or certification in the field, OR Professional experience equivalent to 30 graduate credits, a graduate degree, and professional licensure or certification in the field
Department of Teaching and Learning	M.A. Secondary Teaching Graduate Certificate: Transition to teaching in Secondary Education	Doctorate in Secondary Education -OR- other doctorate with 18 graduate credits in Secondary Education/specific discipline	Doctorate degree and -EITHER- professional experience equivalent to 18 graduate credits in Secondary Education discipline -OR- professional licensure or certification in the field, OR Professional experience equivalent to 30 graduate credits, a graduate degree, and professional licensure or certification in the field
Department of Leadership and Administration	M.Ed. Educational Leadership	Doctorate in Educational Leadership/Administration with administrative licensure or certification -OR- other doctorate with 18 graduate credits in Educational Leadership/ Administration with administrative licensure or certification	Doctorate degree and -EITHER- professional experience equivalent to 18 graduate credits in educational administration or leadership positions, OR Doctorate degree in Educational Leadership/Administration with 30 graduate credits specifically related to Educational Administration in a P-12 setting. Professional experience equivalent to 30 graduate credits, a graduate degree, and professional licensure or certification in the field
Department of Leadership and Administration	M.Ed. Teaching Leadership Graduate Certificate: Teacher Leadership	Doctorate in Leadership -OR- other doctorate with 18 graduate credits in Leadership, specifically Teacher Leadership or Curriculum Administration	Doctorate degree and -EITHER- professional experience equivalent to 18 graduate credits in Leadership (Teacher or Curriculum Admin) -OR- professional licensure or certification in the field, OR Professional experience equivalent to 24 graduate credits, a graduate degree, and professional licensure or certification in the field
Department of Leadership and Administration	M.Ed. Educational Business Administration	Doctorate in Educational Administration, Leadership or Business -OR- other doctorate with 18 graduate credits content specific area	Doctorate degree and -EITHER- professional experience equivalent to 18 graduate credits in content field of instruction -OR- professional licensure or certification in the field, OR Professional experience equivalent to 24 graduate credits or equivalent to 24 graduate credits with professional certification, and a graduate degree in business or content field of instruction
Department of Leadership and Administration	M.Ed. Higher Education Graduate Certificate: Higher Education	Doctorate in Higher Education or Administration -OR- other doctorate with 18 graduate credits in Higher Education	Doctorate degree and -EITHER- professional experience equivalent to 18 graduate credits in Higher Education or Administration -OR- professional licensure or certification in the field, OR Professional experience equivalent to 24 graduate credits or equivalent to 18 graduate credits with professional certification, and a graduate degree
Department of Leadership and Administration	Ed.D. Leadership Ed.S. Leadership Graduate Certificate: Advanced Graduate Study	Doctorate in Leadership -OR- other doctorate with 18 graduate credits in Leadership or Administration In addition, faculty in Ed.S. or Ed.D. programs must have a record of recognized scholarship, creative endeavor, or achievement	Doctorate degree and -EITHER- professional experience equivalent to 18 graduate credits in Leadership or Administration -OR- professional licensure or certification in the field. In addition, faculty in Ed.S. or Ed.D. programs must have a record of recognized scholarship, creative endeavor, or achievement in practice.
Department of Healthcare	M.Ed. Health & Wellness Education	Doctorate in Healthcare or Life Sciences field -OR- other doctorate with 18 graduate credits in healthcare or life sciences	Doctorate degree and -EITHER- professional experience equivalent to 18 graduate credits in healthcare or life sciences -OR- professional licensure or certification in the field, OR Professional experience equivalent to 24 graduate credits, a graduate degree, and professional licensure or certification in the field
Department of Healthcare	B.S. Healthcare Administration	Doctorate in Healthcare or Life Sciences field or Master’s degree in Healthcare Administration -OR- other Master’s degree with 18 graduate credits in healthcare administration	Master’s degree and -EITHER- professional experience equivalent to 18 graduate credits in healthcare administration -OR- professional licensure or certification in the field
Department of Professional Educational Studies	M.Ed. Educational Technology Graduate Certificate: Virtual Instruction	Doctorate in Educational or Instructional Technology -OR- other doctorate with 18 graduate credits in educational or instructional technology	Doctorate degree and -EITHER- professional experience equivalent to 18 graduate credits in educational or instructional technology -OR- professional licensure or certification in the field, OR Professional experience equivalent to 24 graduate credits, a graduate degree, and a professional licensure or certification in the field
Department of Professional Educational Studies	M.Ed. Instructional design & technology	Doctorate in Instructional Design -OR- other doctorate with 18 graduate credits in instructional design	Doctorate degree and -EITHER- professional experience equivalent to 18 graduate credits in instructional design-OR- professional licensure or certification in the field, OR Professional experience equivalent to 24 graduate credits, a graduate degree, and professional licensure or certification in the field
Department of Professional Educational Studies	Graduate Certificate: Adult Education and Corporate Training	Doctorate in Adult Education -OR- other doctorate with 18 graduate credits in adult education or training	Doctorate degree and -EITHER- professional experience equivalent to 18 graduate credits in adult education or training -OR- professional licensure or certification in the field, OR Professional experience equivalent to 24 graduate credits, a graduate degree, and professional licensure or certification in the field
Department of Professional Educational Studies	M.Ed. Advanced Studies Graduate Certificate: Content Area Instruction	Doctorate in specific discipline -OR- other doctorate with 18 graduate credits in specific discipline	Doctorate degree and -EITHER- professional experience equivalent to 18 graduate credits in specific discipline -OR- professional licensure or certification in the field, OR Professional experience equivalent to 24 graduate credits, a graduate degree, and professional licensure or certification in the field
Department of Professional Educational Studies	M.Ed. STEM Leadership	Doctorate in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics -OR- other doctorate with 18 graduate credits in the STEM fields	Doctorate degree and -EITHER- professional experience equivalent to 18 graduate credits in specific discipline -OR- professional licensure or certification in the field, OR Professional experience equivalent to 24 graduate credits, a graduate degree and professional licensure or certification in the field
Department of Nursing	RN to MSN	BSN Faculty Master’s in Nursing with 18 graduate credits in nursing and an active, unencumbered registered nursing license MSN Faculty Doctorate in Nursing and an active, unencumbered registered nursing license -OR- other doctorate with 18 graduate credits in nursing and an active, unencumbered registered nursing license	BSN Faculty Master’s degree in field other than nursing with an active, unencumbered registered nursing license MSN Faculty Doctorate degree in field other than nursing with an active, unencumbered registered nursing license OR Professional experience equivalent to 24 graduate credits, a graduate degree, and professional licensure or certification in the field
Department of Professional Educational Studies	General Education and Elective Courses (bachelor’s level courses)	Master’s degree in related content field OR - Master’s degree and 18 graduate credits in specific content area	Masters’ degree and professional experience equivalent to 18 graduate credits in specific discipline -OR- professional licensure or certification in area.

[1] All faculty who teach content-specific courses as part of the degree programs must have at least 18 graduate hours of content in these fields.

Example in Practice

Faculty A must have the minimum credentials to teach in Curriculum and Instruction. If Faculty A does not (Faculty A has degree in Philosophy) and we want to still employ Faculty A to teach in C&I for example, then Faculty A could be credentialed one of three ways:

Faculty A has a doctorate degree and also has at least 8 years as the Director of C&I for a K-12 system, thus Faculty A has a doctorate and 8 years *3 credits a year = the equivalent to 24 hours of graduate credit in C&I, OR
Faculty A has a doctorate degree and also has 3 years as the Director of C&I for a K-12 system, thus Faculty A has a doctorate and 3 years *3 credits a year = the equivalent to 9 hours of graduate credit in C&I, plus Faculty A also has an Indy license endorsement in C&I Administration, OR
Faculty A does not have a doctorate, but Faculty A has 8 years of C&I experience (thus meting the 24 graduate credit equivalent), she has a Master’s degree in Gifted Education (thus meeting the graduate degree in education), and she has an Indy license endorsement in C&I Administration.