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. (See Commission guidelines “Faculty Credentials.”)

JUDGMENT: Compliant

STATEMENT OF RATIONALE FOR JUDGMENT OF COMPLIANCE

Southwest Texas Junior College employs both full-time and part-time faculty members who are qualified and competent to accomplish the mission and goals of the college. When determining acceptable qualifications for faculty, the SWTJC Directors, Deans, and the Vice President of Academic Affairs give primary consideration to the highest degree a faculty member has earned in a discipline. With regard particularly to faculty teaching in Technical disciplines, the administration also considers professional experience, licensures, certifications, and relevant demonstrated competencies or abilities. The “Transcript Evaluation Form” is used to review faculty credentials and to catalog relevant courses and other professional experience.

Generally, SWTJC faculty who teach courses designed for college/university transfer are required to hold the Master’s degree in the course discipline or hold a Master’s degree and at least eighteen graduate hours in the discipline(s) taught. Faculty teaching courses designed to prepare students for employment in career and technical fields are expected to have experience in the field, and education or credentials at the same level or higher than the certificate or degree being awarded in the program. Faculty teaching developmental courses are expected to have at least a bachelor’s degree and teaching experience in the discipline, either in a college program or at the secondary level.

The SWTJC Faculty Handbook provides for the continuing professional growth of the faculty with the admonition: “Faculty members are expected to maintain themselves as competent scholars in their chosen academic fields, constantly growing in the knowledge of the subject and in the ability to present it effectively” (p. 93).

Each faculty member’s employment application, Transcript Evaluation Form, official transcripts, and all other licensures and credentials are maintained in the office of the Vice President of Academic Affairs.

FACULTY ROSTER 

Please click on the heading above to access the complete faculty roster required for this Compliance Certification. For some faculty, column #4 contains a link to information offered to clarify or explain what we anticipate the reader may question regarding credentials vs. a course or courses taught.

Evidence

SWTJC Faculty Transcript Evaluation Form
SWTJC Faculty Handbook 2014, p. 93
SWTJC Faculty Roster (please see Faculty Roster link above)