Policy Number: 5.120
BACKGROUND/HISTORY
This policy replaces the previous board policies related to faculty qualifications from January 1, 1991 and August 27, 2003. The policy is updated to accurately reflect the Arkansas Division of Higher Education Board Policies and revisions in Higher Learning Commission Assumed Practices, which were revised in July, 2015.
This policy replaces the previous board policy that was revised in 2018. This policy ensures compliance with the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) Assumed Practices B.2.a, which was revised in September 2025, the Arkansas Division of Higher Education (ADHE), and the National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships (NACEP) while recognizing multiple professional and academic pathways that demonstrate instructional competence at the college level. External program accreditors may require specific additional/alternative credentials than those listed below. In such cases, a letter of variance should demonstrate how faculty align with accreditation requirements. The purpose of this policy is to establish consistent, transparent standards for determining faculty qualifications for teaching credit-bearing courses at National Park College (NPC).
SCOPE
This policy applies to all faculty and instructors in for-credit programs, including concurrent and/or dual enrollment courses, or programs in which Prior Learning credit could be transcripted.
AUTHORITY
- Arkansas Division of Higher Education Board Policies (Adopted October 01, 2015)
- National Park College is fully accredited with the Higher Learning Commission and complies with the commission’s Assumed Practices B.2. when hiring faculty.
- Arkansas Access Legislation: HB 1512, 6-16-1203. Teacher skills and training.
DEFINITIONS
Faculty and instructors refer to anyone assigned to teach courses for the college. The term faculty can also be used generically to refer to a group of individuals assigned to the responsibility of instruction.
“General Education” as used below, is defined as courses and degree programs intended to transfer to a four year university.
POLICY STATEMENT
According to Arkansas Division of Higher Education policy,
- Faculty must hold degrees, certifications and licenses from institutions accredited by agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education such as the Higher Learning Commission or from institutions with comparable status, certification or recognition in other countries.
- Faculty members teaching general education core courses are expected to hold at least a master’s degree with 18 graduate hours in the teaching field. (A limited number of faculty may hold equivalent documented experience to meet educational qualifications.)
- Typically, faculty members teaching remedial/developmental education courses hold a master’s degree, but must hold at least a bachelor’s degree in the teaching field.
- Faculty members teaching in occupational skill areas must hold at least an associate degree or appropriate industry-related licensure/certification.
For faculty teaching college-credit classes concurrently, the Arkansas Division of Higher Education stipulates the following:
- Faculty teaching general education concurrent courses must have a master’s degree that includes a minimum of 18 graduate college credit hours in the subject area being taught.
- College or university faculty who travel to the high school or secondary center to teach concurrent courses (and/or faculty and staff that have direct, official contact with the high school student) must have a criminal background check and complete the child maltreatment training course as required of public school teachers.
- The teacher of the blended AP/concurrent course(s) must have completed AP training in the subject area(s), must have a master’s degree with a minimum of 18 graduate college credit hours in the subject area being taught, must be approved to teach the concurrent course(s) by the college/university, and must provide the college/university with documentation of successful completion of AP training.
- Clarification: The teacher of the blended IB/concurrent course(s) must have a master’s degree that includes a minimum of 18 graduate college credit hours in the subject area being taught, and must be approved to teach the concurrent course(s) by the college/university. The high school must provide the college/university with documentation that teacher of the blended IB/concurrent courses(s) has been approved/assigned by the high school to teach the IB course(s).
- The instructor of record must be the individual that teaches the concurrent course(s); and for general education concurrent courses and blended AP/concurrent or blended IB/concurrent courses these individuals must have a master’s degree that includes a minimum of 18 graduate college credit hours in the subject areas being taught. For the purpose of teaching a concurrent course under this policy, an individual under contract with the school district as a teacher will not be considered an adjunct faculty member of the college/university.
In addition, the Higher Learning Commission requires accredited colleges and universities to abide by the following assumed practices:
B.2. Faculty Roles and Qualifications
- Qualified faculty members are identified primarily by credentials, but other factors, including but not limited to equivalent experience, may be considered by the institution in determining whether a faculty member is qualified. Instructors (excluding for this requirement teaching assistants enrolled in a graduate program and supervised by faculty) possess an academic degree relevant to what they are teaching and at least one level above the level at which they teach, except in programs for terminal degrees or when equivalent experience is established. In terminal degree programs, faculty members possess the same level of degree. When faculty members are employed based on equivalent experience, the institution defines a minimum threshold of experience and an evaluation process that is used in the appointment process. Faculty teaching general education courses, or other non-occupational courses hold a master’s degree or higher in the discipline or subfield. If a faculty member holds a master’s degree or higher in a discipline or subfield other than that in which he or she is teaching, that faculty member should have completed a minimum of 18 graduate credit hours in the discipline or subfield in which they teach.
- Faculty participate substantially in:
- oversight of the curriculum—its development and implementation, academic substance, currency, and relevance for internal and external constituencies;
- assurance of consistency in the level and quality of instruction and in the expectations of student performance;
- establishment of the academic qualifications for instructional personnel;
- analysis of data and appropriate action on assessment of student learning and program completion.
Exceptions can be made if they are in keeping with the Higher Learning Commission's expectations for qualified faculty.
PROCEDURES/RELATED DOCUMENTS AND FORMS
Faculty Minimum Qualifications
Faculty are credentialed according to a tiered model recognizing academic preparation, licensure, and relevant professional experience as valid indicators of
qualification. Each faculty member must meet at least one of the credentialing tiers described below for the discipline or course assigned. Regardless of tier, all faculty are required to adhere to NPC and ADHE requirements, including criminal background check and child-maltreatment training and any required AP/IB training or certification when applicable.
Credentialing Tiers
Tier 1 – Master’s Degree in the Field Taught
Minimum Qualification:
- Master’s degree in the discipline or a closely related field.
Application:
- Preferred for transfer-level general education and academic disciplines.
Tier 2 – Master’s Degree Plus 18 Graduate Hours in the Field Taught
Minimum Qualification:
- Master’s degree in any field plus a minimum of 18 graduate semester hours in the teaching discipline.
Application:
- Appropriate for general education and transfer-level courses when the master’s degree is outside, but closely related to, the discipline.
Tier 3 – Master’s Degree with Documented Professional Experience
Minimum Qualification:
- Master’s degree and
- Documented, substantial, and relevant professional experience in the field.
Application:
- Primarily used for general education and transfer-level courses when the master's degree is outside, but closely related to the discipline.
Additional Requirements:
- Letter of Variance documenting relevant professional experience.
Tier 4 – Master’s Degree Plus Arkansas State Teaching License
Minimum Qualification:
- Master’s degree and
- A valid Arkansas teaching license in the specific content area.
Application:
- Primarily used for concurrent or dual-credit instructors teaching at partner high schools.
Tier 5 – Bachelor’s Degree with Documented Professional Experience
Minimum Qualification:
- Bachelor’s degree in the discipline or related field, and
- Documented, substantial, and relevant professional experience in the field.
Application:
- Used primarily for career and technical education (CTE), workforce development, and applied science programs emphasizing hands-on learning and industry application.
Additional Requirements:
- Letter of Variance documenting relevant professional experience.
Tier 6 – Associate’s Degree and Appropriate Licensure or Certification
Minimum Qualification:
- Associate degree and
- Appropriate licensure or certification in a specialized trade or technical area
Application:
- Used primarily for career and technical education (CTE), workforce development, and applied science programs emphasizing hands-on learning and industry application.
Developmental and Precollege Courses
Instructors teaching developmental or precollege education courses should hold a master’s degree whenever possible but must hold at least a bachelor’s degree in the field taught. Faculty under Tier 3 or Tier 4 may qualify upon approval by the Vice President for Academic Affairs if professional experience or licensure demonstrates instructional competence.
Faculty Credentialing Review Process
When a faculty member’s qualifications do not clearly meet the minimum requirements outlined above, the Faculty Credentialing Review Committee may be convened to evaluate equivalent experience, training, or achievement.
- The Committee will review supporting documentation, including transcripts, résumés, portfolios, licensure, and evidence of professional accomplishment.
- The Committee will recommend approval or denial of equivalency to the Vice President of Academic Affairs.
- The Vice President of Academic Affairs will issue a final determination and maintain a written record in the instructor’s credentialing file.
- All equivalency determinations will be reviewed periodically for continued validity.
Ongoing Review and Professional Development
All instructors, regardless of tier, are required to:
- Participate annually in professional development related to teaching effectiveness, pedagogy, and disciplinary currency;
- Maintain current licensure or certifications where applicable; and
- Engage in continued learning or professional practice to remain current in their instructional field.
Credentialing files will be reviewed regularly to ensure continued compliance with institutional, state, and accrediting standards.