Faculty Qualifications/Credentials

All APSU instructors—including online, off-campus, and dual enrollment instructors—must meet or exceed the qualifications established by the University. Once the applicant applies through the online PeopleAdmin system, their educational credentials and curriculum vitae/résumé are reviewed by the department chair of the discipline according to the published Faculty Qualifications Matrix (below), then by the Associate Dean and/or Dean, and finally by the Provost and Senior Vice Provost. 

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 Senior 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 Matrices

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.