Mar 29, 2024  
Academic Policies 
    
Academic Policies

Faculty Qualifications


The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff adopts and adheres to the Quality Assurance Expectations defined by the Higher Learning Commission, the Arkansas Department of Higher Education and University of Arkansas Board Policy in determining faculty qualifications for teaching.

Common expectations for faculty credentials within the higher education community include the following:

  • Faculty teaching at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff should have completed a program of study in the discipline or subfield in which they teach, and/or for which they develop curricula, with coursework at least one level above that of the course being taught or developed.  Successful completion of a coherence degree in a specific field enhances an instructor’s depth of subject matter knowledge.
  • Faculty teaching in undergraduate programs should hold a degree at least one level above that of the program in which they are teaching.  Those faculty members teaching general education courses, or other non-occupational courses (i.e., courses not designed to prepare people directly for a career), must 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.  Exceptions to these criteria may occur when faculty members’ documentation and evidence are appropriately qualified through effective work, experience and expertise; are adept in their teaching roles; and current in their discipline. 
  • Faculty teaching in graduate programs should hold the terminal degree by the discipline and have a record of research, scholarship or achievement appropriate for the graduate program.

Faculty guiding doctoral education should have a record of scholarship and preparation to teach at the doctoral level.  Research and scholarship should be appropriate to the program and degree offered.