Faculty Credentials and Qualifications

SACSCOC Requirements

In compliance with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), LSU ensures that all instructional faculty (full-time, part-time, and teaching assistants) have met the established standards to teach based on the content and the level of each credit-bearing course assigned as an Instructor of Record (IoR). The Faculty Credentials and Qualifications Manual provides a comprehensive resource outlining the required qualifications and supporting documentation. In addition, faculty serving in a program coordinator capacity must meet specified qualifications as well. The Faculty Credentials job aid assists with the entry and approval process. LSU policy and procedure is guided by SACSCOC Standards. For additional information or questions, contact Jane Cassidy. 

Faculty Credentials Application

The Faculty Credentials Application houses all credential information for anyone teaching courses on campus. It integrates with the Mainframe to validate credentials upon assigning the instructor of record. To add, update, or check upon a credential, you must use the Faculty Credentials Application. In order to assign the instructor of record, the employee must be credentialed in the application. Any faculty that are teaching must have an academic appointment in Workday. To access the application, it is imperative that each unit has a designated Academic Credential Specialist. The role may be requested via myLSU’s Workday Security Access Request.

Alternative Credentials 

If the prospective IoR is qualified to teach based on credentials other than academic degree(s) or if the academic credential is not in direct alignment with the course(s) (e.g., emerging fields of study, interdisciplinary), the Alternative Credentials process via Workday must be completed for review and approval prior to assignment of the course(s). Alternative Credential submissions must be reviewed and approved by the college’s designated associate dean (listed below). To ensure this step, the applicable associate dean should be added as an approver. 

Associate Deans (by College)

 

The following SACSCOC standard is addresses faculty credentials and qualifications:

6.2 For each of its educational programs, the institution:

  • a. Justifies and documents the qualifications of its faculty members. (Faculty qualifications)
  • c. Assigns appropriate responsibility for program coordination. (Program coordination).