All persons teaching in the doctoral programs in Forestry and Education hold the earned doctorate from regionally accredited universities. The Commission recognizes that in unusual cases institutions may appropriately include as graduate faculty members those who have demonstrated exceptional scholarly or creative activity, or professional experience, but who may not possess the required academic credentials. There also may be an occasion when a new graduate discipline is in its formative stage in higher education and there are no faculty members available with academic credentials in the discipline. In either case, when an institution presents evidence of competence or academic credentials other than the doctorate in the discipline for its graduate faculty, it must justify the employment of such faculty. Stephen F. Austin State University is in compliance with this criterion.
All persons teaching in the doctoral programs hold the appropriate terminal degree.
The Commission encourages interdisciplinary courses and recognizes that appropriate credentials for teaching may vary. The institution must document and justify the academic and professional preparation of faculty members teaching in such courses or programs. Stephen F. Austin State University does not offer interdisciplinary courses at the graduate level. Stephen F. Austin State University is in compliance with this criterion. All documentation referred to is on file in the office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs, and some is in the Office of the Associate Vice President for Graduate Studies and Research, the Offices of the College Deans, and in individual Department files.