3.7 Faculty
3.7.1 Faculty Competence
The institution employs competent faculty members qualified to accomplish the mission and goals of the institution. When determining acceptable qualifications of its faculty, an institution gives primary consideration to the highest earned degree in the discipline.
The institution also considers competence, effectiveness, and capacity, including, as appropriate, undergraduate and graduate degrees, related work experiences in the field, professional licensure and certifications, honors and awards, continuous documented excellence in teaching, or other demonstrated competencies and achievements that contribute to effective teaching and student learning outcomes. For all cases, the institution is responsible for justifying and documenting the qualifications of its faculty. (See Commission guidelines “Faculty Credentials.”)
Judgement of Compliance:
Compliance
Narrative:
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) employs competent faculty members qualified to achieve its mission. The processes for faculty searches, including vacancy announcements, approval to hire, and management of faculty files, ensure that faculty members have earned an appropriate degree or have credentials and experience that qualify them for their respective teaching assignments.
Faculty vacancy announcements clearly define the required qualifications for a successful candidate. They include the required minimum credentials as well as preferred expertise or experience. Consideration of candidates and selection of the successful candidate must conform to the published criteria for the position.
Primary consideration is given to the highest degree earned in the teaching discipline. Although SACS requires a minimum of 25 percent of credit hours to be taught by faculty holding the terminal degree, all departments at UTC exceed that minimum. (See CS 3.5.4) In addition, the percentage of faculty across campus who hold the doctorate or terminal degree at all ranks is 69 percent. The percentage is much higher for full professors (94.9%) and associate professors (89.1%).
Highest Earned Degrees of Full-Time Faculty by Rank
Fall, 2009
| DOCTORATE/ |
MASTERS |
BACCALAUREATE |
NOT ASSIGNED |
TOTAL |
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
NO. |
% |
NO. |
% |
NO. |
% |
NO. |
% |
NO. |
% |
PROFESSOR |
130 |
94.9 |
7 |
5.1 |
0 |
0.0 |
0 |
0.0 |
137 |
100.0 |
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR |
82 |
89.1 |
10 |
10.9 |
0 |
0.0 |
0 |
0.0 |
92 |
100.0 |
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR |
61 |
69.3 |
25 |
28.4 |
1 |
1.1 |
1 |
1.1 |
88 |
100.0 |
INSTRUCTOR |
1 |
20.0 |
4 |
80.0 |
0 |
0.0 |
0 |
0.0 |
5 |
100.0 |
LECTURER |
9 |
10.7 |
65 |
77.4 |
8 |
9.5 |
2 |
2.4 |
84 |
100.0 |
TOTAL |
283 |
69.7 |
111 |
27.3 |
9 |
2.2 |
3 |
0.7 |
406 |
100.0 |
All faculty appointments are approved by the department head, the dean, and the Provost. At each level of approval, the credentials are reviewed for appropriateness and against SACS-COC criteria. A link to the SACS-COC Guidelines for Faculty Credentials is posted on the Academic Affairs webpage, under “SACS Information.” Complete records, including official transcripts and curriculum vitae, are maintained in the Office of Faculty Records.
Prior to each academic term, each college submits a complete faculty roster to the Office of the Associate Provost for Academic Affairs. These rosters conform to the guidelines offered by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. They are reviewed by the associate provost for completeness and accuracy. Rosters are collected for fall, spring, and summer terms.
Additional documentation may be provided or requested for individuals that do not hold the minimum degree required for the teaching assignment. A form required for submission of supplemental documentation is available on the Academic Affairs web page. If an individual does not hold appropriate credentials – earned degree, other credentials, or experience – a qualified individual will be assigned to that/those course(s).
UTC also considers the importance of competence, related work experiences in the field, professional licensure and certifications, honors and awards, publications and presentations, continuous documented excellence in teaching, or other contributions to effective teaching. Lists maintained on the UTC web site by University Relations provides evidence of UTC faculty achievements in Fall 2009 and Spring 2010. Many faculty also maintain professional licensures, certifications, and memberships that allow them to continue contributing to their field within their teaching capacity.Documentation:
- Faculty vacancy announcements
http://www.utc.edu/Administration/AcademicAffairs/FacultyOpenings/
http://www.utc.edu/Administration/StrategicPlan/ - Faculty roster, Fall 2009 and Spring 2010 (Off-site reviewers refer to the USB drive)
- Documentation of Qualifications for a Full-time or Part-time Faculty Appointment, Academic Affairs web page
http://www.utc.edu/Administration/AcademicAffairs/UTCSACS.php - 2009-2010 Faculty Achievements
a. Fall 2009: http://www.utc.edu/Academic/Recognition/past/recognition-2009fall.php
b. Spring 2010: http://www.utc.edu/Academic/Recognition/past/recognition-2010spring.php
