Title 5 §53410 Clarification of Minimum Qualifications for Disciplines Not Requiring a Master’s Degree

Spring
2010
Resolution Number
10.02
 
Contact
Assigned to
Standards and Practices Committee
Category
Disciplines List
Status
Completed
Status Report

In 2015 - 16, the introductions to both nonmaster's lists were revised to state "bachelor's degree or higher and two years of professional experience." Because the Disciplines List is incorporated into Title 5 by reference, this constitutes the official interpretation of nonmaster's MQ regulations by the Chancellor's Office and thus completes this resolution.  

Whereas, Title 5 §53410 Minimum Qualifications for Instructors of Credit Courses, Counselors, and Librarians defines the basic degree and professional experience requirements for the three categories of disciplines allowed, Master’s degree expected, specific Bachelor’s or associate degree expected, or Master’s not expected;

Whereas, The Academic Senate paper “Qualifications for Faculty Service in the California Community Colleges” and common interpretation both provide that Master’s degrees are required for the Master’s required list, and for the other two lists both a degree and professional experience are required; and

Whereas, This regulation, the exact intent of which may be unclear due to its structure, is interpreted by some districts and the Chancellor’s Office to mean that possession of a Master’s degree in a discipline on the Master’s-not-expected lists negates the requirement for “professional experience directly related to the faculty member’s teaching assignment”;

Resolved, That the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges take the position that faculty hired to teach in the disciplines on the two Master’s-not-expected lists must possess both a degree or equivalent and professional experience as described in Title 5 §53410 (c) and (d);

Resolved, That the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges work with the Chancellor’s Office to ensure that an interpretation that faculty hired to teach in the disciplines on the two Master’s-not-expected lists must possess both a degree or equivalent and professional experience is clearly stated via the appropriate means (e.g., Title 5 correction, legal opinion or a change in the Minimum Qualifications/Disciplines List); and

Resolved, That the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges update all its minimum qualifications papers clarifying the interpretation of Title 5 §53410 to require professional experience from all candidates qualifying under sub-division (c) and (d), and include updates reflecting all other recent regulatory changes.

MSC Disposition: Local Senates, Chancellor’s Office