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Faculty Qualifications and Equivalency Policy

Last updated: May 20, 2024

Faculty members at Contech are selected based on a combination of academic excellence and practical expertise, ensuring their ability to teach master’s level online courses with utmost efficacy. Contech recognizes the DEAC Accreditation Handbook’s requirement that faculty teaching graduate-level courses in a master’s degree program must possess a doctoral/terminal degree earned at an appropriately accredited institution in the subject of the field. However, Contech also acknowledges the practical challenges in fields such as Digital Marketing, where terminal degrees are less prevalent. To maintain high educational standards, Contech has implemented an equivalency policy that balances advanced academic qualifications with extensive industry experience. The qualifications include:

– A PhD or Master’s degree from a recognized institution, in the same field of expertise. Preference is given to candidates with a doctoral degree or specialized professional certifications.

  • Doctoral Degree (Preferred):

Contech strives to appoint faculty with doctoral/terminal degrees earned from appropriately accredited institutions in their subject fields for its Computer Science and Digital Marketing programs.

  • Master’s Degree with Extensive Experience (see the Equivalency Policy attached):

Recognizing the unique nature of some fields, Contech has developed an equivalency policy for faculty appointments. This policy applies to disciplines where doctoral degrees are uncommon or emerging. Faculty members in these fields must possess a master’s degree in the specified field from an accredited institution and have a minimum of 5 years of relevant extensive industry experience. This combination ensures faculty can effectively bridge theoretical knowledge with practical applications, thereby meeting the educational needs of Contech’s graduate students.

– A minimum of two years of demonstrable teaching experience in online platforms, highlighting proficiency in virtual pedagogy and modern e-learning tools.

– Substantial professional experience in their subject area, with a priority on those who have successfully blended academic and industry roles.

– Publications, research, or significant contributions to their respective fields are highly regarded, especially if they relate to online learning or advancements in their domain.

– Prior experience teaching similar or identical course content, demonstrating a proven ability to effectively communicate and impart the subject matter to students.

Faculty Qualification Equivalency Policy:

– Rationale:

The faculty qualification equivalency policy aims to:

  • Ensure that all faculty members possess the necessary expertise to deliver high-quality education.
  • Recognize and value substantial industry experience and professional achievements as equivalent to traditional academic qualifications.
  • Maintain flexibility in hiring practices to accommodate the unique demands of emerging and interdisciplinary fields.

– Criteria for Equivalency:

Faculty members who do not possess a doctoral/terminal degree may be considered qualified based on the following criteria:

  • Academic qualifications: A master’s degree in the relevant field from an accredited institution.
  • Industry experience: A minimum of 5 years of relevant extensive industry experience in the field of expertise. This experience should demonstrate substantial professional achievements, practical knowledge, and contributions to the field.
  • Professional certifications: Relevant professional certifications or licenses that demonstrate specialized expertise and continuous professional development.
  • Publications and research: Contributions to the field through publications, research, patents, or other forms of scholarly work.
  • Teaching experience: Prior teaching experience at the graduate or undergraduate level, demonstrating effective instructional skills and a commitment to student learning.