Minimum Qualifications for Instructors

The purpose of this policy is to articulate a university-wide standard for instructor qualifications at UWM. This policy is developed to meet the accreditation standards of the Higher Learning Commission on minimum qualifications for instructors and in support of UWM’s commitment to provide students with the best possible learning experience. As an institution accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, UWM has an obligation to demonstrate that all instructors are appropriately qualified to teach UWM credit-bearing, including dual credit, courses that are assigned to them. To meet this requirement, departments or equivalents (referred to as “department” in this policy) must maintain documentation on file for each instructor, verifying their credentials and qualifications for assigned courses. For units utilizing alternative qualifications, documented guidelines and approval processes must also be on file with the relevant dean or director’s office. 

1. Applicability: This policy applies to all instructors of record (including those with appointments as faculty, instructional academic staff, or high school teachers engaged in a dual enrollment program) who teach courses for which students will earn UWM credit. This policy does not apply to graduate teaching assistants who work under the direct supervision of a faculty member or an instructional academic staff member.  
   
   Dual credit refers to courses taught to high school students, at the high school, for which the students receive both high school credit and college credit. Those teaching dual credit courses shall hold the same minimum qualifications as required for UWM instructors. 
2. Qualification by Credentials: The primary method of determining the qualifications of an instructor will be based on their academic credentials including an earned degree in the field or subject area relevant to the course being taught. The degree must be from an institution accredited by a regional accrediting body recognized by the US Department of Education and/or a professional accrediting organization, or the equivalent quality of university or college in countries outside the United States. 
   1. Instructors teaching in graduate programs should hold the terminal degree determined by the discipline and have a record of research, scholarship, or achievement appropriate to the program and degree offered. 
   2. Instructors teaching in undergraduate programs should have a master’s degree or higher in the discipline or program area in which they teach or develop courses. 
3.  Alternative Qualification: Units have the option to hire instructors based on approved alternative qualifications or tested experience if they do not meet the standard credential requirements. Departments, in consultation with the relevant school/college, must establish written guidelines on the minimum threshold of experience and a process for reviewing and documenting the alternative qualifications. In developing the minimum threshold guidelines, departments may consider the following factors: 
   1. Demonstrable, current, and consistent progress toward the academic credential, 
   2. Substantial (greater than 18 semester credits or the approximate equivalent thereto) graduate-level academic coursework in the discipline or program area, 
   3. Practical experience in a relevant field (e.g., arts, business, legal, or public service sector), 
   4. Relevant clinical experience, 
   5. Licensure or certification, honors, awards, and other recognitions appropriate to the field/discipline, 
   6. Demonstrated competence teaching the discipline or program area, 
   7. Demonstrated competence or fluency in a language other than English and demonstrated ability to teach that language, and/or 
   8. Related research experience in industry or government agencies. 
      
      It is the expectation of the institution that the decisions to hire instructors under this provision will be relatively rare and made with the goal of providing students with the best possible learning experience. 
4. Documentation Requirement: Units that choose to hire instructors based on alternative qualifications must have documented guidelines and processes on file with the relevant dean or director’s office, outlining the minimum threshold for alternative qualifications and the review and approval process. Additionally, departments must maintain documentation of each instructor’s qualifications, credentials, tested experience, and the rationale for course assignments (see Instructor Qualification Verification Form (PDF)). Upon request from an external reviewer for accreditation purposes, the department must produce this documentation to justify an individual instructor’s credentials and teaching assignments. 

1. Each department should document the verification of instructor qualifications using the attached form or an equivalent document. 
2. The minimum qualifications statements in faculty and instructional academic staff vacancy postings should have language consistent with this policy. 
3.  The hiring unit should ensure that the instructor qualifications are verified before assigning courses to the instructor. 

• Instructor Qualification Verification Form (PDF)

January 30, 2018

Original

September 27, 2022

Reviewed

October 16, 2025

Revised