Faculty Appointment and Credentialing Policy

McNeese State University is primarily a teaching institution; therefore, the institution seeks faculty whose academic credentials, certifications/licensure, work experience, and expertise support excellence in instructional delivery as well as the quality and integrity of the academic programs. The institution adheres to guidelines established by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) regarding faculty credentials.

1. Deans and department heads are responsible for ensuring all faculty members, visiting lecturers, teaching graduate assistants, and special appointees are qualified to teach each of the courses to which they are assigned. All documents needed to demonstrate appropriate qualifications such as official transcripts, certifications, licensure, etc. must be reviewed to ensure the faculty are academically qualified with appropriate credentials to teach the courses assigned.
2. It is the responsibility of prospective faculty to provide the University with all the official documentation needed to verify credentials prior to the appointment being made. Required documentation includes, but is not limited to, a curriculum vita; documented information regarding training/certification to teach online courses; appropriate licenses or certifications relevant to the teaching discipline; and verification of work related to teaching experience. Official transcripts should be submitted directly to the Office of Human Resources and Student Employment from the issuing institution, The cost to obtain documents required is borne by the prospective faculty member. The University may periodically request updated documents to maintain credentialing files.
   • Transcripts from foreign universities: Prospective faculty submitting transcripts from foreign universities or schools must have the coursework evaluated for equivalency to United States-accredited coursework by a University-approved agency. The prospective faculty member is responsible for the cost of the evaluation. McNeese typically accepts evaluations by World Education Services (www.wes.org) or Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc. (www.ece.org).
   • Transcripts from institutions without USDOE-approved institutional accreditation: The hiring of faculty whose qualifying degree is from an institution in the United States without USDOE-approved institutional accreditation will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Specific colleges or departments may have guidelines that prevent hiring faculty from institutions without USDOE-approved institutional accreditation. Should a dean and department head consider such a credential, significant additional criteria beyond the usual must be documented and submitted to the Office of Institutional Research and Effectiveness for review and consideration prior to the appointment of the faculty member.

Requirements for Faculty Credentials

1. Undergraduate Course Instructors: Faculty teaching undergraduate courses that are applicable toward an associate or baccalaureate degree must have an earned doctorate or master’s degree with at least 18 semester hours of graduate credit in the teaching discipline or a related teaching discipline. The teaching discipline may not necessarily be determined by the course prefix (e.g., AGEC, COMM, EDTC, OSBC, etc.) but what a reasonable person would conclude as a requisite background for the course’s instructor based on the student learning outcomes.
2. Graduate Course Instructors: Faculty teaching graduate courses must have an earned doctorate or terminal degree in the teaching discipline or a related teaching discipline. Faculty who teach graduate courses must hold McNeese State University graduate faculty membership (see Graduate Faculty Policy).
3. Graduate Teaching Assistants: Graduate teaching assistants must have an earned master’s degree in the teaching discipline or 18 semester hours of graduate credit in the teaching discipline, direct supervision by a faculty member experienced in the teaching discipline, and planned, periodic evaluations.
4. Lab Instructors:
   • For lab courses that are a component of a regular course and contribute over 50% of the course grade, the faculty teaching the lab must meet regular credentials as noted above (doctorate or master’s degree with at least 18 semester hours of graduate credit in the teaching discipline or a related teaching discipline).
   • For lab courses with a separate grade for the lab component, the faculty assigning the grade must meet regular credentials for the discipline (doctorate or master’s degree with at least 18 semester hours of graduate credit in the teaching discipline or a related teaching discipline).
   • For labs that serve as supplemental instruction to a course without a separate grade for the lab, the lab instruction, coordination, or proctoring may be covered by an assistant with an appropriate baccalaureate degree and/or professional licensure in the teaching discipline or a related teaching discipline. The lab assistant works under the supervision of an appropriately credentialed faculty member.
5. Online Course Instructors: Prior to teaching the first online course for McNeese State University, faculty teaching online courses must present documentation to their department heads and the Office of Human Resources and Student Employment indicating completion of appropriate training to deliver online instruction (see Online Course Policy).

Guidelines for Justification of Alternative Teaching Credentials

When reviewing qualifications for specific teaching responsibilities, McNeese gives primary consideration to the faculty member’s academic preparation as specified by SACSCOC and/or the discipline’s programmatic accrediting agency.

While academic credentials in most cases may well be the standard qualification for faculty members, other types of qualifications may prove to be suitable. Appropriate and complete documentation, including a matrix matching course student learning outcomes with specific documented competencies, must provide compelling evidence for qualification. Justification to follow alternative teaching credentials must be approved prior to appointment of the faculty member.

Indicators of competence and appropriate qualifications may include:

• Undergraduate and graduate degrees and coursework (in addition to the highest degree earned) closely related to the teaching discipline.
• Number of graduate credit hours earned in the teaching discipline or a related teaching discipline.
• Professional licensure and certifications applicable to the teaching discipline.
• Possession of national recognition/commendations in the teaching discipline.
• Documented successful work-related experience in the field, including extended  length of service, complexity of work, and closeness of work performed to the course’s student learning outcomes.
• Scholarly publications in the teaching discipline (other than “vanity” press publications as determined by the department/college);
• Honors and awards at state or national levels;
• Continuing professional development related directly to course learning objectives; and/or
• Other extraordinary excellence or competence in the discipline along with demonstrated success in teaching.

Additional Considerations

Prior to a continuing faculty member teaching a course they have not previously been approved by the dean to teach, the department head must examine the course description and student learning outcomes and determine if the faculty member is qualified according to SACSCOC guidelines to teach the course. If necessary, additional documentation to justify faculty qualifications must be submitted to the Office of Human Resources and Student Employment prior to the term in which the course is to be taught for the first time.

The Office of Institutional Research and Effectiveness generates the faculty roster and uses personnel file documentation to qualify faculty to teach courses. Deans are responsible for ensuring appropriate documentation is submitted to the Office of Human Resources and Student Employment for each faculty member.

Faculty Appointments, Rank, and the Hiring Process

The president is the designated authority for hiring faculty at McNeese. The Office of Human Resources and Student Employment collects and maintains personnel documentation such as original transcripts, certifications, licensure, or other justification for each faculty member.

Before beginning the hiring process, deans must present a request for filling faculty positions to the provost and vice president for academic affairs when it is determined there is need for the position to be filled. A request to fill any faculty position must include the courses that will be taught, number of students enrolled when the course was taught previously, how the course fits into the curriculum (general education, major course, etc.), and other pertinent information and/or responsibilities for the position. The provost reviews requests and brings them to the Executive Leadership Team (ELT) for consideration. The ELT must approve filling a position before hiring procedures begin.

The Office of Human Resources and Student Employment guides the hiring process once a position is approved to be filled. A national search should be conducted when seeking candidates for full-time faculty positions. Appointments for full-time and part-time faculty (including teaching graduate assistants) are finalized at the campus level upon completion of the University hiring process, including procedures for verifying credentials, completion of background checks, and other pre-employment requirements determined by the Office of Human Resources and Student Employment. After approval of the selected candidate by the department head, dean, chief institutional effectiveness officer, provost, and president, the University of Louisiana System approves appointments. All reappointments, non-renewal, or terminations of members of the academic staff shall be made by the president of the University with the approval of the Board of Supervisors for the University of Louisiana System.

Search Committee

The immediate supervisor (usually the department head or dean) of the position being filled will appoint a search committee. The committee membership must be approved by the Office of Human Resources and Student Employment. The department head and dean determine the appropriate qualifications and job description for the position. The salary range and rank are determined by the dean and provost and approved by the ELT. The search committee ensures the position is advertised, receives and screens applications, interviews qualified applicants, and checks references as deemed necessary by the committee. The search committee forwards recommendations regarding qualified candidates to the supervisor.

When it is clearly impracticable to conduct a search for the position, as in the hiring of faculty on very short notice, the department and dean may select a qualified candidate and fill the position with a temporary appointment.

Note: In accordance with Louisiana Records Retention Schedule, applications from candidates not selected for the position must be kept on file in the departmental or dean’s office for three years.

Selection of Candidate

The supervisor reviews the search committee’s recommendations, conducts additional reference checks, and recommends the best candidate for the position to the college dean via a Letter of Intent to Employ. The dean reviews and approves the recommendation before forwarding it to the Office of Human Resources and Student Employment.

Once all necessary documentation is received and the background check is cleared, the Office of Human Resources and Student Employment submits the documentation to the chief institutional effectiveness officer in the Office of Institutional Research and Effectiveness. The chief institutional effectiveness officer reviews the hiring materials to confirm the candidate’s academic qualifications. If approved, the chief institutional effectiveness officer submits the Letter of Intent to Employ to the provost for review and approval. The provost then forwards it to the president for approval.

Only after the president’s approval may the department issue a Letter of Offer to the selected candidate. The candidate must sign and return the Letter of Offer to the Office of Human Resources and Student Employment. The hiring information is then submitted to the Board of Supervisors for the University of Louisiana System for final approval.

The job expectations, annual performance review policies and procedures, and terms of every appointment to the academic staff will be stated in writing and a copy will be supplied to the prospective faculty/staff member by the dean/department head prior to the employment start date. Any subsequent changes in the terms of appointment must be approved by the provost and stated in writing and a copy provided to the faculty member. All faculty members should be informed of the web location for information pertinent to University employment as well as University, college, and departmental operating policies and procedures.

Personnel file documentation related to employment, benefits, and credentials is maintained in the Office of Human Resources and Student Employment.

Faculty Ranks

General Provisions

1. All faculty, regardless of rank, must meet academic qualifications as outlined above.
2. Faculty joining departments with programmatic accreditation must meet the requirements of the discipline’s accreditor. The department head and dean are responsible for verifying discipline-specific credentials.
3. Instructors, visiting assistant professor, visiting associate professor, and visiting professor ranks are non-tenure-track appointments.
4. Tenure-track faculty appointments begin at the assistant professor level unless approval to appoint at the associate professor rank is obtained from the provost. The University’s established criteria for academic rank will be applied in making initial appointments. It is generally expected that a minimum of six years of probationary service at McNeese will be served in one rank prior to eligibility for tenure or promotion to the next rank. Only under compelling circumstances are exceptions allowed.
5. McNeese State University recognizes the following degrees as a terminal degree for the discipline: Master of Fine Arts in Art, Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing, Master of Library Science, Master of Archives, Master of Architecture, and others designated by SACSCOC or appropriate professional agencies. Faculty not holding the terminal degree must achieve substantially superior scholarly recognition at the national level to be considered for promotion to the associate level and are not eligible for promotion to professor.
6. In reference to library faculty members, the term “teaching field” refers to degrees in library or informational science or other related areas.

Minimum Qualifications

The following information describes the University’s minimum qualifications for faculty ranks. Colleges may establish additional qualifications for their faculty.

Instructor: To be appointed instructor, an applicant must have a minimum of an earned master’s degree with at least 18 semester hours of graduate credit in the teaching discipline or a related teaching discipline according to CIP code. Instructor positions are non-tenure-track appointments and do not require advanced notice for non-renewal.

Assistant Professor: To be appointed assistant professor, an applicant must have an earned doctorate or terminal degree in the teaching discipline or a master’s degree with at least 18 semester hours of graduate credit in the teaching discipline or a related teaching discipline according to CIP code. Unless otherwise noted in the appointment letter, assistant professor appointments are tenure-track appointments, and the probationary period required for tenure review will be six years. Non-renewal of tenure-track appointments may occur according to institutional and University of Louisiana System policy.

Associate Professor: To be appointed associate professor, an applicant must have an earned doctorate or terminal degree in the teaching discipline or a related teaching discipline according to CIP code as well as three years of teaching experience at full-time faculty status at a college or university in the teaching discipline or a related teaching discipline. Unless otherwise noted in the appointment letter, associate professor appointments are tenure-track appointments, and the probationary period required for tenure review will be six years. Non-renewal of tenure-track appointments may occur according to institutional and University of Louisiana System policy.

Professor: To be appointed professor, an applicant must have an earned doctorate or terminal degree in the teaching discipline or a related teaching discipline as well as seven years of college-level teaching experience in the discipline in which the rank will be held. Evidence of exemplary and current research and national recognition in the field must be provided. Unless otherwise noted in the appointment letter, professor appointments are tenure-track appointments, and the probationary period required for tenure review will be no less than three years and no more than four years. Non-renewal of tenure-track appointments may occur according to institutional and University of Louisiana System policy.

Special Ranks: Non-Tenure Track

Persons may be employed in special ranks different from the ranks for regular faculty. Special ranks are non-tenure-track, temporary appointments. The following special ranks may be assigned to academic personnel in unique employment situations within the University:

1. The titles visiting instructor, visiting assistant professor, visiting associate professor, or visiting professor are courtesy titles given to holders of temporary or visiting full-time appointments at those respective ranks. Faculty in such ranks hold non-tenure-track appointments and do not require advanced notice for non-renewal.
2. Full-time faculty whose primary responsibility is conducting research and who are normally paid from grants or contract funds are to be appointed as assistant professor-research, associate professor-research, or professor-research. Faculty in these ranks do not acquire tenure and are usually paid with external grant funding. As an alternative and upon the individual recommendation of the president and approval by the Board, such persons at the rank of associate professor-research and professor-research may be appointed for rolling terms of up to five years (to be specified). The contract for such rolling terms may provide for conditions for continued employment related to continued funding of the grant supporting the position. Faculty on such appointments are reviewed annually and must be notified at least 90 days prior to non-renewal and/or may be terminated for cause at any time with due process.
3. Professional in-residence is a category of professionals appointed to instructional positions, with working titles such as architect-in-residence, artist-in-residence, journalist-in-residence, writer-in-residence, etc. The professional may be in residence at irregular intervals. Tenure is not awarded to individuals holding this title. Appointment to this category of faculty requires specific beginning and ending dates and do not require advanced notice for non-renewal.
4. The use of clinical faculty (usually in health professions and related clinical sciences or education residency courses) is appropriate where faculty members are involved in the delivery of professional services as part of the practical instruction to students. The clinical faculty designation at any rank (clinical instructor, clinical assistant professor, etc.) is given to faculty members who are essential for coordinating field work and supervising students in the field. Primary employment is typically outside the department, but substantial contributions are made to the instructional programs. Expectations for publication and scholarly activity may be substantially less than that for tenure-track positions. Tenure is not available for clinical faculty, and time spent in these positions is not applied to tenure-track requirements. Faculty may not transfer between clinical track and tenure-track, but faculty holding a position of one type may apply for the other type if a position is available. Full-time clinical faculty receive benefits provided for full-time employees and must undergo annual performance reviews; part-time clinical faculty are not eligible for benefits. Both full-time and part-time clinical faculty do not require advanced notice for non-renewal.

Visiting Lecturer or Teaching Graduate Assistant Faculty Appointments

Part-time faculty usually referred to as visiting lecturers, adjunct faculty, or teaching graduate assistants can provide unique expertise to enhance instructional and educational effectiveness of programs. Visiting lecturers and teaching graduate assistants may not work more than 29 hours per week and are not eligible for employment insurance or retirement benefits. Part-time faculty may be employed only after all full-time faculty members’ schedules have been filled. Department heads and deans should ensure that minimum course enrollment numbers have been met in full-time faculty members’ course sections prior to employing visiting lecturers or teaching graduate assistants. Visiting lecturers and teaching graduate assistants must meet academic qualifications as outlined above and are held to the same behavioral standards and teaching responsibilities as regular faculty. Part-time faculty must be evaluated for teaching effectiveness by the department head and dean at the end of each semester. The evaluation must be signed by the part-time faculty member and the supervisor and archived.

Duration of Visiting Lecturer/Teaching Graduate Assistant Appointments

Appointments or reappointments of visiting lecturers and teaching graduate assistants are made by the University with the understanding that the employment of the individual shall end unconditionally when the semester/session ends and/or on the date indicated in the appointment letter. Reappointments are made solely at the discretion of the University. Visiting lecturer and teaching graduate assistant appointments may be terminated at any time with cause.

Graduate Faculty Membership

Graduate faculty membership is determined by the Graduate Council and executive director of the William J. Doré, Sr. School of Graduate Studies in accordance with the Graduate Faculty Policy. Tenured and tenure-track faculty seeking Associate Member or Full Member graduate faculty status must meet SACSCOC qualifications for teaching graduate-level coursework and demonstrate positive performance in research/creative scholarship, professional activities, and University service. Tenured and tenure-track faculty members must submit the Application for Graduate Faculty Membership to the Graduate Council for consideration.

Non-tenure-track faculty members at the rank of instructor or a visiting faculty member of any rank (e.g., visiting lecturers, clinical faculty, etc.) with appropriate credentials are eligible for appointment as a Temporary Member of the graduate faculty. In most instances, the Temporary Member must hold a terminal degree or other SACSCOC-approved qualifications appropriate to perform graduate faculty responsibilities.

Department heads must submit an appropriate memo describing credentials to be forwarded to the dean for approval. This memo must then be approved by the executive director of the Graduate School and credentials approved by the chief institutional effectiveness officer. Temporary memberships are valid for one academic year. 

For more information, refer to the Graduate Faculty Policy. 

Communication

This policy is distributed via the University Policies webpage.