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Faculty Credentials Handbook 2026-27

Faculty Credential Guidelines

Donnelly College is committed to maintain full HLC accreditation compliance in the hiring of all faculty members. Each course in every discipline requires relevant experience and expertise to support the student learning outcomes that exist for each course or program in the College curricula. Such credentials may include a degree in the field associated with the course/program or alternative credentials that result in the same learning outcome.

 

  1. General education courses: Master’s degree in the teaching discipline or master’s degree with a concentration in the teaching discipline (a minimum of 18 graduate credit hours in the teaching discipline).
  2. Associate degree courses: Master’s degree in the teaching discipline or master’s degree with a concentration in the teaching discipline (a minimum of 18 graduate credit hours in the teaching discipline).
  3. 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 credit hours in the teaching discipline).
  4. Success First courses: Master’s degree in a discipline related to their teaching assignment and either teaching experience in a discipline related to their assignment or graduate training in preparatory education.
  5. eLearning courses: Faculty members who teach fully online or blended courses must successfully complete training as approved by the Dean of the College.

 

The Dean of the College may recommend/appoint a faculty member without the specified degree requirements whenever background or experience is deemed equivalent to academic credentials required to fulfill the responsibilities of the position. Justification for such exceptions will be fully documented in the Human Resources files.

 

All degrees must be from a regionally accredited college or university and verified by official transcripts. Payroll deposits for adjunct faculty will not be processed until official transcripts are on file in the Human Resources office.