Graduate Student Assistantship

Effective Date September 1, 2019

Note: This document and relevant procedures may be downloaded in pdf format Faculty Credentials Standard.

Florida Institute of Technology is committed to hiring qualified, effective faculty members to carry out the goals of the institutional mission and to ensure the quality and integrity of its academic programs. In doing so the institution meets and strives to exceed, the minimum requirements set forth by regional accreditation. Academic credentials are the primary and standard qualification for faculty members; however other types of qualifications may prove to be appropriate. Documentation and justification of qualifications for each person who teaches a course, regardless of faculty status, including both full-time and part-time, are the responsibility of the entire institution. 

SACSCOC Standard 6.2.a (2018 version): For each of its educational programs, the institution justifies and documents the qualifications of its faculty members.

SACS Faculty Credential Guidelines: Faculty credential guidelines to demonstrate faculty qualifications are provided by SACS Commission on Colleges. These are:

When an institution defines faculty qualifications using faculty credentials, institutions should use the following as credential guidelines:

• Faculty teaching general education courses at the undergraduate level: doctoral 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).
• Faculty teaching associate degree courses designed for transfer to a baccalaureate degree: doctoral 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).
• Faculty teaching associate degree courses not designed for transfer to the baccalaureate degree: bachelor’s degree in the teaching discipline, or associate’s degree and demonstrated competencies in the teaching discipline.
• Faculty teaching baccalaureate courses: doctoral 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).
• Faculty teaching graduate and post-baccalaureate course work: earned doctoral/terminal degree in the teaching discipline or a related discipline.
• Graduate teaching assistants: master’s in the teaching discipline or 18 graduate semester hours in the teaching discipline, direct supervision by a faculty member experienced in the teaching discipline, regular in-service training, and planned and periodic evaluations.

Faculty Credential Records Requirements: Florida Tech maintains a record of faculty credentials for every faculty member in the Office of Institutional Research and Effectiveness. Each file must include: (1) an official transcript for the highest degree earned, as well as those for any other relevant degrees, such as master’s and bachelor’s degrees; (2) official transcripts or official versions of certificates and licensures, if applicable; (3) a curriculum vitae, and (4) a statement of alternative qualifications (SOAQ) specific to each course being taught for any faculty member not meeting the Faculty Credentials guidelines as articulated by SACSCOC.

If required, SOAQs must address how the candidate’s alternative qualifications relate to each specific course to be taught and should include as many of the following as apply to a particular situation:

1. competence and effectiveness
2. as appropriate, undergraduate and graduate degrees
3. non-teaching work-related experience in the field
4. professional licensure and certifications
5. honors and awards
6. continuous documented excellence in teaching
7. other demonstrated competencies and achievements that contribute to effective teaching and student learning outcomes

The current curriculum vitae must include the following sections, if applicable:

1. Education: include all Bachelor’s, Master’s, Ph.D., and/or terminal degrees
2. Academic appointments with dates: including current position
3. Other credentials: any professional licensures, certificates, honors and/or awards that relate to courses to be taught
4. Related professional experience: list additional work-related experiences that relate to courses to be taught
5. Grants, publications, presentations: as they relate to courses to be taught
6. Membership in professional organizations

For purposes of accreditation, transcripts/certificates/licensures are considered official only if they are sent directly from or on behalf of the granting institution to Office of Institutional Research and Effectiveness.

No faculty member will be allowed to teach until faculty credential records are complete.