SACS COC Credentials

"When determining acceptable qualifications of its faculty, an institution gives primary consideration to the highest earned degree in the discipline. The institution also considers competence, effectiveness, and capacity, including, as appropriate, undergraduate and graduate degrees, related work experiences in the field, professional licensure and certifications, honors and awards, continuous documented excellence in teaching, or other demonstrated competencies and achievements that contribute to effective teaching and student learning outcomes." (3.7.1)
- "b. Faculty teaching associate 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 teaching discipline (a minimum of 18 graduate semester hours in the teaching discipline).
- d. Faculty teaching baccalaureate courses: doctorate or master’s degree in the teaching discipline or master’s degree with a concentration in the teaching discipline (minimum of 18 graduate semester hours in the teaching discipline)." (3.7.1)

1. Institutions completing the Faculty Roster Form should review Comprehensive Standard 3.7.1 and the Commission guidelines on “Faculty Credentials,” which can be found on the Commission website under the Policies and Publications link. The guidelines represent commonly-accepted good practice for the academic qualifications of faculty; however, the Commission recognizes that qualifications other than academic credentials (or combined with credentials) may be appropriate for teaching particular courses.
2. The Commission usually accepts common collegiate practice in recognizing an academic discipline, concentration, and/or field of study. Examples include history, mathematics, chemistry, English, sociology, finance, accounting, marketing, and management. For faculty teaching in these areas, it is expected that the institution will provide information that justifies and documents each faculty member's qualifications relevant to the specific courses they are assigned to teach. For faculty teaching interdisciplinary courses, it is expected that the institution will provide information that justifies and documents the faculty member's qualifications relevant to the disciplines that are components of the course.

Faculty Credentials Manuals