3.7.1 Faculty Competence

The institution employs competent faculty members qualified to accomplish the mission and goals of the institution.  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. For all cases, the institution is responsible for justifying and documenting the qualifications of its faculty.

Compliance           ___  Partial Compliance          ___  Non-Compliance

Narrative:

South Louisiana Community College (SLCC) employs competent faculty to accomplish its mission and goals. As a community college, courses are offered in developmental areas, workforce readiness, which may be non-transferable courses, and transferable courses.

Faculty teaching developmental courses must have a bachelor’s degree, preferably in the discipline.  If the degree is in another discipline, faculty demonstrate their proficiency in course work by certifications, such as education degrees in secondary English or math or course work in the discipline.

Faculty teaching workforce readiness courses are expected to have a bachelor’s degree.  If the degree is less than a bachelor’s degree, certifications/licensures are expected in the field as well as a minimum of five (5) years related work experience.  For instance, the Emergency Medical Technology faculty may have an associate degree in EMT as long as they also have the National EMT Paramedic Certificate and at least 5 years experience in EMT. 

For all transferable courses a master’s degree is required.  If the master’s degree is in a field other than the discipline, documentation of 18 graduate hours in the discipline is required. (1)

Full time faculty are hired through an interview process. When a search is conducted for a full time faculty member, the Dean of Instruction and Effectiveness reviews the transcripts. Applicants who meet minimum qualifications are forwarded to the search committee. The screening committee, usually headed by the department chair, consists of five members. This committee reviews the resumes or curriculum vitae of the candidates. The needs of the department are weighted heavily in this process.

The top three candidates are sent to the hiring authority for a second round of interviews to assure the candidates are aware of the needs of the College.  Once the candidate is selected, a Faculty Qualification Form (2) is completed and placed in the faculty member’s folder in the Human Resources Office.  This form documents the degrees, experience, licenses, certifications, and awards the faculty member has received.  The form also lists the courses the faculty member is eligible to teach.  For all adjunct faculty, the Department Chair interviews the applicant. Human Resources Office then assures a Faculty Qualification Form is completed.

Documentation: