Purpose

Lindenwood University employs competent faculty members qualified to accomplish the mission and goals of the institution. When determining acceptable qualifications of its faculty, Lindenwood University gives primary consideration to the highest degree earned in the discipline.

Scope

This policy applies to all faculty, staff, and individuals employed by or seeking employment with the University.

Policy

The university will only recognize degrees awarded by regionally accredited schools in the United States or from schools officially evaluated by AACRAO International Education Services (IES) and recognized to award degrees in the respective country. 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 learning outcomes.

Lindenwood also maintains compliance with HLC requirements for faculty credentialing.

Qualifications Guidelines*

Highest Degree Earned	Instructor Credentials	Bachelor’s Fully Transferable Courses	Bachelor’s Professional or Technical Courses	Master’s Professional or Technical Courses	Ed. Specialist & EdD Courses
Terminal degree	In-field terminal degree	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes2
Terminal degree	Out-of-field terminal degree with in-field Master’s degree or 18 in-field graduate credit hours	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes with Tested Experience1,2
Terminal degree	Out-of-field terminal degree	No	Yes	Yes with Tested Experience1	Yes with Tested Experience1,2
Master’s degree	In-field Master’s with verified plan for completion of terminal degree within one year	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Master’s degree	In-field Master’s Degree or out-of-field Master’s degree with 18 in-field graduate credit hours	Yes	Yes	Yes with Tested Experience1	No
Master’s degree	Related-field Master’s degree	No	Yes	Yes with Tested Experience1	No
Bachelor’s degree	In-field Bachelor’s degree with 18 in-field graduate credit hours	Yes?	Yes	No	No
Bachelor’s degree	In-field Bachelor’s degree with verified plan for completion of in-field master’s degree	Yes	Yes	No	No
Bachelor’s degree	In-field Bachelor’s degree	No	Yes with Tested Experience1	No	No

*Qualifications of each instructor are detailed at the time of hire using the Instructor Qualifications Checklist.

1 - Tested experience should support the learning outcomes of the course(s) to be taught to ensure the instructor is fully prepared to teach the subject. Third party validation, such as a current or active certification or license, is the best form of tested experience. A record of scholarship or professional accomplishment in the field can serve as tested experience in some cases.

2 - This instructor would also possess a record of scholarship/achievement appropriate for the graduate program.