Teaching Field: Geology Date: 10/16/2015 Higher Learning Commission (HLC) Faculty Qualifications for Hiring The Geology Instructional Council of the Maricopa County Community College District is firmly committed to maintaining high quality teaching standards and expertise among the Geology faculty of the MCCCD. To meet the HLC Assumed Practices for determining qualified geology faculty, candidates must meet one of the following criteria. 1. Master s degree (or higher) in the field of geology. a. Any of the following areas is within the teaching field of geology: Geology, Geological Sciences, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Earth and Space Science, Earth and Planetary Science 2. Master s degree in any field and 18 graduate in the teaching field. a. Graduate level coursework (400 level or and above) with the following titles, prefixes, or keywords is within the teaching field of geology: Prefixes: Geology, Geological Sciences GLG, GEOL, GEOS, GS, GEL; Earth and Space Science ESS; any concurrent or cross listed course with geology. Titles or Keywords: Dendrochronology, Depositional Systems or Environments, Digital Analysis, Dissertation, Earthquakes, Economic Geology, Field Camp, Field Methods, Geology, Geological Sciences Research, Geology Seminar, Geology Education, Geobiology, Geochemistry, Geochronology, Geodynamics, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Geomorphology, Geophysics, Global Change, Graduate Research, Graduate Seminar, Hydrogeology, Independent studies in Geology, Isotope Geology, Meteorites, Micropaleontology, Mineralogy, Oceanography, Ore Deposits, Paleobiology, Paleoclimate, Paleoecology, Paleomagnetism, Paleontology, Petroleum Geology, Petrology, Physics of the Earth, Planetary Geology, Quaternary Geology, Remote Sensing, Research Writing related to Geology, Sedimentology, Seismology, Stratigraphy, Structural Geology, Tectonics, Thesis, Thesis Writing, Volcanology. b. Graduate level coursework with the following titles or keywords would need to be evaluated by the Geology Instructional Council to determine if it is within the teaching field of geology: Science Education, Physical Science Education, Environmental Science c. The Geology Instructional Council recommends that any faculty members who may need additional graduate level coursework to meet the new HLC requirements, have their proposed course of study approved by the Geology IC before beginning the courses to ensure that the course meets the qualifications of being within the teaching field of geology. The Instructional Council will evaluate any other coursework as necessary to determine if that course is within the teaching field. Furthermore, the IC recommends that any faculty members who may need additional graduate level coursework to meet the new HLC requirements, has their proposed course of study
approved by the IC before beginning the courses to ensure that the course meets the qualifications of being within the teaching field.
Equivalent Experience Criteria for Faculty: Master's in any field plus cumulative experience that equates to 18 graduate hours in the field (tested experience) as indicated: 3. Tested experience that equates to a Master s Degree in the field of geology. Candidates who do not meet the criteria listed in options 1 or 2 but who have extensive experience in geology and geology education may submit a portfolio of experience for evaluation by the Geology Instructional Council and Department/Division Chair for evaluation. To qualify under Tested Experience, the candidate must provide evidence of 18 credit equivalences from the following sources: a. Education (minimum of 9 required from this category): 0-18 graduate in the field of geology, bachelor s in the field of geology OR 24 upper division in the field of geology. Coursework prefixes are as listed in 2a and 2b. The Geology Instruction Council is aware that university course numbering practices and graduate/undergraduate credit equivalence for the same course in many circumstances may introduce ambiguity in a one-size-fits-all policy for determining graduate credit equivalence. Furthermore, we recognize that core upper division geology courses including but not limited to structural geology, mineralogy, igneous and metamorphic petrology, sedimentary petrology and stratigraphy, paleontology lay the foundation for a candidate s ability to teach the lower division core geology courses at the colleges within our district. Consequently, we recommend that a Bachelor s degree in geology or its upper division course requirements be given at least the weight shown in the table below. b. Teaching experience (maximum of 6 ) c. Work Experience (maximum of 6 ) d. Professional development (maximum of 6 ) Education (at least 9 required in this category) Graduate in the field of geology Bachelor s in the field of geology OR 24 upper division in the field of geology (2 upper division semester = 1 graduate credit ) 0 18 Official transcript 0 12 Official transcript 0 12 Official transcript
Teaching Experience (no more than 6 in this category) Full-time college teaching experience in the field of geology (2 per year of fulltime college teaching) Part-time college teaching experience in the field of geology (1 credit per 15 credit hours taught). Includes dual enrollment. Full-time high school teaching experience in the field of geology (1 credit per year of full-time teaching) fulltime teaching and either copies of courses, time and either copies of course equivalency to 100- or 200-level college instruction, time and either copies of Work Experience (no more than 6 in this category) Work experience related to the field of geology (1 credit per year of full-time work) Research experience in the field of geology (6 credit per year of full-time research) Letter from supervisor documenting work and responsibilities to include years worked. Letter from supervisor documenting research and responsibilities. Field licensure (registered Letter or credential
Geologist Certification from any state) or national certification in the field of geology (3 credit per certification or license) Publication of book, monograph, or peerreviewed journal article in the field of geology (1 credit per publication) documenting licensure or certification. via letter or copy of publication. of dates, responsibilities, in letter from supervisor. Professional Development (no more than 6 in this category) Presentation at seminar or workshop related to the field of geology (use FPG standards of 18 clock hours to 1 credit) Leadership role or officer of state or national association in the field of geology (1 credit per year of service) Materials showing conference, sessions attended, hours. time and responsibilities.