Faculty Qualifications Policy
Faculty Qualifications
Policy Number:
PERS_0077
Policy Statement:
Garden City Community College requires assessment of faculty and instructors’ transcripts to ensure that our faculty and instructional staff are highly qualified. The teaching of general education courses require that faculty members or instructors meet the requirements of the HLC policy below. Faculty members and instructors of Tier III funded technical programs and/or courses are required to have industrial certifications or significant experience within the field as defined below.
Higher Learning Commission policy CRRT. B.10.020 (B)(2)(a) requires institutions to employ qualified instructors. HLC policy states:
Qualified faculty members are identified primarily by credentials, but other factors, including but not limited to equivalent experience, may be considered by the institution in determining whether a faculty member is qualified. Instructors…possess an academic degree relevant to what they are teaching and at least one level above the level at which they teach, except in programs for terminal degrees or when equivalent experience is established. When faculty members are employed based on equivalent experience, the institution defines a minimum threshold of experience and an evaluation process that is used in the appointment process. Faculty teaching general education courses, or other non-occupational courses 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.
In order to be compliant with the above policy and ensure the quality of education (on campus, in outreach and all other program modes) all instructors teaching courses will be assessed by the following:
- Master’s A: Master’s degree or higher within subject area of teaching, or
- Master’s B: Master’s degree or higher not in subject area and 18 hours of graduate course work within subject area of teaching, or
- Technical education fields falling under Tier III funding are assessed either by academic
credentials or by industry certifications and experience within the field:
- Bachelor’s Degree: A Bachelor’s degree in the appropriate technical
- Tech 2: 4,000 hours of equivalent work experience and a valid and current industry-recognized credential.
- Tech 1: Either a valid and current industry-recognized credential or 4,000 hours of equivalent work experience.
- Below is a chart that outlines uniform standards used for assessing tested experience for Documentation of tested experience standards are required to assess and determine an instructor’s qualifications. A maximum of nine graduate hours may be granted based on equivalent experience.
Technical Education Disciplines:
The following fields are considered technical in nature based on the college’s programmatic offerings. Most -faculty qualifications in these areas are met using the third option above. However, faculty in these areas may be assessed by any of the above requirements depending on degree or experience and the nature of the courses that they teach.
- Agriculture
- Ammonia Refrigeration
- Auto Tech
- Business
- Carpentry
- Computer Science
- Cosmetology
- Criminal Justice
- Culinary
- Early Childhood Education
- EMT
- Fire Science
- Industrial Machine Mechanic
- John Deere
- Nursing and Allied Health
- Welding
Equivalent Experience Standard Graduate Credit Hours
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Has the instructor taken a graduate-level course in theory or methods of teaching? These courses are typically found within an Education department, and are typically 3-credits. Equivalent credit will be given, up to 3 credit hours total. |
Up to 3 graduate credit hours |
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Has the instructor taught AP classes in the discipline area within the last three years? (Teaching AP requires 32 clock hours for certification.) |
Up to 3 graduate credit hours |
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Does the instructor hold designation in the discipline through research published in peer-reviewed journals, textbooks, or other publications? Up to 2.5 graduate credit hours per publication. |
Up to 5 graduate credit hours |
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Has the instructor presented research or best practices at state or national conferences? Up to one credit hour per conference presentation. |
Up to 3 graduate credit hours |
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Is the instructor recognized with designation in their discipline through professional organizations, exhibits, shows, galleries, theaters, performances, or other higher education departments? Up to 2.5 graduate credit hour per publication |
Up to 5 graduate credit hours |
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Does the instructor have certification or endorsement for participating and completing training through professional development? The number of graduate credit hours awarded depends on the amount of time and relevance to |
Up to 5 graduate credit hours |
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discipline. 1 graduate credit hour = 15 contact hours of professional development training. |
|
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Has the instructor earned endorsement through completion of the ETS Content exams (Praxis series) in the discipline they teach? Must meet the minimum score outlined in ETS/Praxis Qualifying Scores below. |
Up to 3 graduate credit hours |
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Does the instructor have at least 12 months non-instructional work experience which correlates to the discipline or any state/national certifications. 12 months work experience=1 graduate credit hour. State or national certifications in field/discipline=1 graduate credit hour. |
Up to 9 graduate credit hours |
Definition of Graduate Hours
College courses numbered at 500 and above are deemed to be upper-level and will be counted as graduate hours to fulfill qualification requirements. Courses numbered at 500 and above will be counted even if these courses were taken within an undergraduate degree program.
General Education Disciplines and Subfields:
The following is used to determine the 18 hours of course work within a subject area. Courses are determined to fit a subfield if the learning outcomes of the course relate to a subfield.
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Accounting (CIP 52.03 & 30.16) |
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Subfields |
CIP Numbers |
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Accounting |
52.0301 |
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Accounting Technology/Technician And Bookkeeping |
52.0302 |
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Auditing |
52.0303 |
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Accounting and Finance |
52.0304 |
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Accounting and Business/Management |
52.0305 |
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Accounting and Computer Science |
30.16 |
|
Other Relevant Subject Area Experience |
|
|
Agriculture (CIP 01) |
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Subfields |
CIP Numbers |
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Agriculture, General |
01 |
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Agricultural Business and Management |
01.01 |
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Agricultural Mechanization |
01.02 |
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Agricultural Production Operations |
01.03 |
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Agricultural and Food Products Processing |
01.04 |
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Animal Sciences |
01.09 |
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Food Sciences and Technology |
01.10 |
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Soil Sciences |
01.12 |
|
Other Relevant Subject Area Experience |
|
|
Welding Technology/Welder (100-Level Introductory Welding Only) 1G, 2G level |
48.0508 |
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Art (CIP 50.07) |
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Subfields |
CIP Numbers |
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Fine and Studio Arts |
50.07 |
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Design and Commercial Arts |
50.04 |
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Art Studies General |
50.0701 |
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Art Therapy/Therapist |
51.2301 |
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Art History |
50.0703 |
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Drawing |
50.0705 |
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Intermedia/Multimedia |
50.0706 |
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Painting |
50.0708 |
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Sculpture |
50.0709 |
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Printmaking |
50.0710 |
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Ceramic Arts and Ceramics |
50.0711 |
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Other Relevant Subject Area Experience |
|
|
Behavioral Sciences (CIP 42, 45, and 05) |
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Subfields |
CIP Numbers |
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Psychology |
42.01 |
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Clinical, Counseling, and Applied Psychology |
42.28 |
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Intellectual and Personality Assessment |
42.99 |
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Sociology |
45.11 |
|
Women’s Studies |
05.0207 |
|
Other Relevant Subject Area Experience |
|
|
|
|
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Biological and Biomedical Sciences (CIP 26) |
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Subfields |
CIP Numbers |
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Biology |
26.01 |
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Biochemistry, Biophysics, and Molecular Biology |
26.02 |
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Botany / Plant Biology |
26.03 |
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Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences |
26.04 |
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Microbiological Sciences and Immunology |
26.05 |
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Zoology / Animal Biology |
26.06 |
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Genetics |
26.08 |
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Physiology, Pathology, and Related Sciences |
26.09 |
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Pharmacology and Toxicology |
26.10 |
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Biomathematics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology |
26.11 |
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Biotechnology |
26.12 |
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Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology |
26.13 |
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Molecular Medicine |
26.14 |
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Neurobiology and Neurosciences |
26.15 |
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Other Relevant Subject Area Experience |
|
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Business, Management, & Marketing(CIP 52) |
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Subfields |
CIP Numbers |
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Business/Commerce |
52.01 |
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Business Administration, Management and Operations |
52.02 |
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Accounting and Related Services |
52.03 |
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Business Operations Support and Assistant Services |
52.04 |
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Business/Corporate Communications |
52.05 |
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Business/Managerial Economics |
52.06 |
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Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations |
52.07 |
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Finance and Financial Management Services |
52.08 |
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Hospitality Administration/Management |
52.09 |
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Human Resource Management and Services |
52.10 |
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International Business |
52.11 |
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Marketing |
52.14 |
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Other Relevant Subject Area Experience |
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|
|
|
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Communications (Mass, Journalism and Speech) (CIP 09 & 50) |
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Subfields |
CIP Numbers |
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Communication and Media Studies |
09.01 |
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Speech Communication and Rhetoric |
09.0101 |
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Mass Communication/ Media Studies |
09.0102 |
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Journalism |
09.04 |
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Radio, Television, and Digital Communications |
09.07 |
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Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communications |
09.09 |
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Publishing |
09.10 |
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Drama/ Theatre Arts |
50.05 |
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Film/ Video |
50.06 |
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Other Relevant Subject Area Experience |
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Related: Theatre Arts/Rhetoric and Composition |
05.0501/09.0101 |
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Computer Science (CIP 11) |
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Subfields |
CIP Numbers |
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Computer and Information Sciences General |
11.01 |
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Computer Programming |
11.02 |
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Data Processing |
11.03 |
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Information Science/Studies |
11.04 |
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Computer Systems Analysis |
11.05 |
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Other Relevant Subject Area Experience |
|
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Criminal Justice (CIP 43.01) |
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Subfields |
CIP Numbers |
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Criminal Justice and Corrections |
43.01 |
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Criminology |
45.04 |
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Other Relevant Subject Area Experience |
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Developmental Education |
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Requirements |
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Any Master’s Degree or Above in Education |
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Any Master’s Degree or Above in Subject Area of Course |
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Bachelor’s degree or Teaching Cert. in a discipline or subfield |
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Other Relevant Subject Area Experience |
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Economics (CIP 45.06, 01.0103, 52.0601, 19.0402, 03.0204) |
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Subfields |
CIP Numbers |
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Economics, General |
45.0601 |
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Agricultural Economics |
01.0103 |
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Business/ Managerial Economics |
52.0601 |
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Consumer Economic |
19.0402 |
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Applied Economics |
45.0602 |
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Natural Resource Economics |
03.0204 |
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Other Relevant Subject Area Experience |
|
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Education (CIP 13 |
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Subfields |
CIP Numbers |
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Education, General |
13.01 |
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Bilingual, Multilingual, and Multicultural Education |
13.02 |
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Curriculum and Instruction |
13.03 |
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Educational Administration |
13.04 |
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Educational/instructional Media Design |
13.05 |
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Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research |
13.06 |
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Special Education and Teaching |
13.10 |
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Other Relevant Subject Area Experience |
|
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English & Literature(CIP 23 & 16) |
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Subfields |
CIP Numbers |
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English Language: Linguistics or Applied Linguistics |
23.01 |
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Rhetoric & Composition/ Writing Studies |
23.13 |
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Creative Writing |
23.1301 |
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Professional, Technical, Business, and Scientific Writing |
23.1303 |
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Literature |
23.14 |
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American Literature |
23.1402 |
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English Literature |
23.1404 |
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Children’s Literature |
23.1405 |
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Composition and Digital Media |
23.99 |
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Linguistics |
16.0102 |
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Comparative Literature |
16.0104 |
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Other Relevant Subject Area Experience |
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Related: Speech Communication and Rhetoric |
09.0101 |
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|
|
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ESL & Languages (CIP 16) |
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Subfields |
CIP Numbers |
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Linguistic or Applied Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services |
16.01 |
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African Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics |
16.02 |
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East Asian Languages, Literature, Linguistics |
16.03 |
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Slavic, Baltic and Albanian Languages, Literature, and Linguistics |
16.04 |
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Germanic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics |
16.05 |
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Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics |
16.09 |
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Southeast Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics |
16.14 |
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English as a Second Language |
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Other Relevant Subject Area Experience |
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Family and Consumer Sciences (CIP 19) |
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Subfields |
CIP Numbers |
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Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General |
19.01 |
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Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences Business Services |
19.02 |
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Family and Consumer Economics and Related Studies |
19.04 |
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Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services |
19.05 |
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Housing and Human Environments |
19.06 |
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Human Development, Family Studies, and related Services |
19.07 |
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Apparel and Textiles |
19.09 |
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Other Relevant Subject Area Experience |
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Geography (CIP 45.07) |
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Subfields |
CIP Numbers |
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Geography and Cartography |
45.07 |
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Demography and Population Studies |
45.05 |
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Political Science |
45.10 |
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History |
54.0101 |
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Other Relevant Subject Area Experience |
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History (CIP 54) |
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Subfields |
CIP Numbers |
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History, General |
54.0101 |
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American History |
54.0102 |
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European History |
54.0103 |
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Asian History |
54.0106 |
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Other Relevant Subject Area Experience |
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Related: American Government and Politics |
45.1002 |
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HPER (CIP 31.05) |
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Requirements |
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Any Master’s Degree in Subject Area Discipline |
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Valid/current athletics-recognized credential in Subject Area Discipline |
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Other Relevant Subject Area Experience |
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For skills courses, Bachelor’s degree or other relevant experience in Subject Area Discipline |
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Math (CIP 27) |
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Subfields |
CIP Numbers |
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Mathematics |
27.01 |
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Applied Mathematics |
27.03 |
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Statistics |
27.05 |
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Mathematics and Technology |
27.99 |
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Analytical Reasoning |
27.99 |
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Other Relevant Subject Area Experience |
|
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Music (CIP 50.09) |
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Subfields |
CIP Numbers |
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Music, General |
50.0901 |
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Music Education |
13.1312 |
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Music Therapy/ Therapist |
51.2305 |
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Music History, Literature, and Theory |
50.0902 |
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Music Performance, General |
50.0903 |
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Music Theory and Composition |
50.0904 |
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Music Management and Merchandising |
50.0909 |
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Other Relevant Subject Area Experience |
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Bachelor’s degree in music or other relevant experience for skills/lessons courses. |
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Nursing |
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Requirements K.S.A. 65-11 |
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The Nursing Faculty requirements are established by Kansas Law in the Kansas Nurse Practice Act |
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For LPN instructors are required to be RN with at least a BSN Degree |
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For RN (AND) instructors are required to be RN with at least a MSN |
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Personal & Career Development |
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Requirements |
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College Success: Any Bachelor’s Degree |
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Career Success: Qualifications to teach in a technical education program as described above in this policy. |
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Philosophy and Religious Studies (CIP 38) |
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Subfields |
CIP Numbers |
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Philosophy |
38.0101 |
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Logic |
38.0102 |
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Ethics |
38.0103 |
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Religion / Religious Studies |
38.0201 |
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Other Relevant Subject Area Experience |
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Physical Sciences (CIP 40) |
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Subfields |
CIP Numbers |
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Physical Sciences |
40.01 |
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Astronomy and Astrophysics |
40.02 |
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Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology |
40.04 |
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Chemistry |
40.05 |
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Geological and Earth Sciences |
40.06 |
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Physics |
40.08 |
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Materials Sciences |
40.10 |
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Other Relevant Subject Area Experience |
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Political Science (CIP 45.10) |
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Subfields |
CIP Numbers |
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Political Science and Government, General |
45.1001 |
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American Government and Politics |
45.1002 |
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Public Administration |
44.0401 |
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International Relations |
45.0901 |
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American Legal/Jurisprudence (Count Course Hours not just a JD) |
22.01 |
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Other Relevant Subject Area Experience |
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Theater Arts (CIP 50.05) |
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Subfields |
CIP Numbers |
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Drama and Dramatics/ Theatre Arts, General |
50.0501 |
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Technical Theater/Theatre Design and Technology |
50.0502 |
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Acting |
50.0506 |
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Directing and Theatrical Production |
50.0507 |
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Theater/ Theatre Art Management |
50.0508 |
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Other Relevant Subject Area Experience |
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Related: Speech Communication and Rhetoric |
09.0101 |
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Related: Rhetoric and Composition Studies |
23.13 |
ETS/Praxis Qualifying Scores
For more information see: https://www.ets.org/praxis/ks/requirements
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To Be Certified in |
You Need to Take |
Test Code |
Qualifying Score |
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Agriculture |
5701 |
147 |
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Biology |
5235 |
150 |
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Business Education |
5101 |
150 |
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Chemistry |
5245 |
152 |
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Communication Technology |
5051 |
160 |
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Earth and Space Science |
5571 |
150 |
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English Language Arts 6–12 |
5038 |
162 |
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Family and Consumer Science |
5122 |
153 |
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History and Government 6–12 |
5081 |
158 |
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Mathematics 6–12 |
Mathematics: Content Knowledge(On-screen graphing calculator provided.) |
5161 |
152 |
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Physics |
5265 |
141 |
|
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Power, Energy, Transportation Technology |
5051 |
160 |
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Production Technology |
5051 |
160 |
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Psychology |
5391 |
154 |
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Speech/Theatre |
5221 |
148 |
|
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Technology Education |
5051 |
160 |
Policy History:
July 7, 2026: Revised for accessibility
March 8, 2022: Revised
February 2, 2016: Reviewed