Faculty Qualifications/Credentials

All APSU instructors, including online, off-campus and dual enrollment instructors, must meet or exceed the qualifications established by the University. The applicant applies through the online PeopleAdmin system, their educational credentials and curriculum vitae/resume are reviewed by the department chair of the discipline according to the published Faculty Qualifications Matrix, and then their documentation is reviewed and approved by the Associate Dean and or Dean, and finally Provost and Senior Vice Provost for Academic Affairs.

For individuals who do not meet the requirements based on their highest degree, the department chair, associate dean, and dean of the college submit a Request for an Exception for Faculty Qualifications based on related work experience in the field, honors and awards, professional licensure and certifications, continuous documented excellence in teaching, and/or other demonstrated competencies and achievements that contribute to effective teaching and student learning. These requests must be approved by the Vice Provost and Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs and the Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs in order for the individual to be assigned as the instructor for the course.

The University collects and houses faculty qualifications of all instructors in Watermark. This software, maintained by Academic Affairs, operates independently of Human Resources personnel files.

Degrees Considered Terminal

Faculty Qualifications Matrix

College of Arts and Letters - Revised May 2022
College of Behavioral and Health Sciences - Revised July 2022
College of Business - Revised July 2022
College of Education - Revised May 2022
College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics - Revised May 2022
Honors, PELP, APSU 1000, and PASS - Revised May 2022

Exceptions for Faculty Qualifications

Exception for Faculty Qualifications Form - This form must be submitted through Adobe Sign, hard copies will not be accepted.

GTA Instructor of Record

Department Chairs must seek approval to appoint a GTA to serve as the Instructor of Record. Please follow the published process and use the university forms provided on the GTA webpage. The webpage contains the Request for GTA to serve as Instructor of Record and the GTA evaluation forms.