Issuing Office

Office of the Provost

Affected Parties

Faculty

Policy Language

To be assigned as an instructor of record for a course, a faculty member must meet the SACSCOC credential guidelines that govern such an appointment.

Policy Rationale

To ensure qualified faculty serve as instructors of record.

Definition of Glossary Terms

None specified

Procedures

Deans of schools/colleges are responsible for designating instructors of record for each course. Instructors of record may include: 

• Faculty teaching general education courses at the undergraduate level: doctorate or master’s degree in the teaching discipline or master’s degree with a concentration in the teaching discipline (a minimum of 18 graduate semester hours in the teaching discipline). 

• Faculty teaching 100-200 level courses designed for transfer to a baccalaureate degree: doctorate or master’s degree in the teaching discipline or master’s degree with a concentration in the teaching discipline (a minimum of 18 graduate semester hours in the teaching discipline). 

• Faculty teaching 100-200 level courses not designed for transfer to the baccalaureate degree: bachelor’s degree in the teaching discipline, or associate’s degree and demonstrated competencies in the teaching discipline. 

• Faculty teaching baccalaureate courses: doctorate or master’s degree in the teaching discipline or master’s degree with a concentration in the teaching discipline (minimum of 18 graduate semester hours in the teaching discipline). 

• Faculty teaching graduate and post-baccalaureate course work: earned doctorate/terminal degree in the teaching discipline or a related discipline. 

• Graduate teaching assistants (teaching undergraduate courses only): master’s in the teaching discipline or 18 graduate semester hours in the teaching discipline, direct supervision by a faculty member experienced in the teaching discipline, regular in-service training, and planned and periodic evaluations.

Sanctions

Sanctions shall be determined by the Provost on a case-by-case basis.

Exceptions

Liberty University requires faculty members who teach in programs at the baccalaureate level to hold a master's degree in the discipline being taught or hold a master's degree in an area other than that being taught with at least 18 graduate semester hours in the teaching discipline from an accredited college or university.

Date of Last Review

8/26/2019

Date for Review

8/26/2024