3.32 Faculty Qualifications

Board Policies
Chapter 3 - Educational Policies

Access a PDF copy of this policy

Part 1. Purpose
To ensure that qualified individuals perform faculty work in the colleges and universities of Minnesota State.

Part 2. Definitions

Credential evaluation
The process for evaluating an individual’s education and experiences in accordance with established minimum qualifications.

Faculty member and faculty work
Individuals who teach credit-based courses, engage in research, and/or provide a variety of academic services for the direct learning benefit of students.

Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
An independent corporation that is one of the institutional accreditors in the United States. HLC accredits degree-granting post-secondary educational institutions in the North Central region (including Minnesota) and is recognized as an accreditor by the United States Secretary of Education.

Minimum qualifications
The minimum requirements used in credential evaluations.

Part 3. Policy Statement
An individual offered employment as a faculty member or any individual assigned to perform faculty work shall meet established minimum qualifications. Minimum qualifications established for faculty work will meet the guidelines and assumed practices set forth by HLC.

Related Documents:

• System Procedure 3.32.1 College Faculty Credentialing

Policy History:

Date of Adoption: 12/07/05
Date of Implementation: 07/01/06
Date of Last Review: 03/22/23

Date & Subject of Amendments:

03/22/2023 – Full review, updated the definition of the Higher Learning Commission.

11/14/2017 – Changed title from College Faculty Credentialing to Faculty Qualifications. Added university faculty to the scope of the policy. Deleted outdated definitions and policy language regarding assigned, license, and credential fields.

No additional HISTORY