Faculty Qualifications Policy

Faculty approved: November 21, 2014

In April 2013, AACSB established a quadrant approach to faculty qualifications, and the Faculty of the Ancell School of Business adopted this policy in November 21, 2014.  Qualifications apply to both Participating and Supporting faculty.

Standard 15 (2013) The school maintains and strategically deploys participating and supporting faculty who collectively and individually demonstrate significant academic and professional engagement that sustains the intellectual capital necessary to support high-quality outcomes consistent with the school’s mission and strategies. [FACULTY QUALIFICATIONS AND ENGAGEMENT]

 

Scholarly Academic (SA) and Practice Academic (PA) Initial Qualification Status

Under AACSB International Standard 15, assignment of Scholarly Academic or Practice Academic status requires a combination of original academic preparation (degree completion) augmented by subsequent (i.e., over the most recent five-year period) intellectual contributions and other activities that maintain or establish preparation for current teaching responsibilities.  The standards list the following categories of initial academic preparation as required for SA or PA initial status:

1. A doctoral degree in the area in which the individual teaches.
2. A doctoral degree in a business field, but primary teaching responsibility in a business field that is not the area of academic preparation.
3. A doctoral degree outside of business, but primary teaching responsibilities that incorporate the area of academic preparation.
4. A doctoral degree outside of business and primary teaching responsibilities that do not incorporate the area of academic preparation.
5. A specialized graduate degree in taxation or a combination of graduate degrees in law and accounting will be academically qualified to teach taxation.

 

Scholarly Academic Maintenance of Qualification Status

Faculty members classified as SA maintain their status by:

1. Producing two or more peer-reviewed articles (PRJ) within discipline-based, professional, or pedagogical journals over the most recent five-year period. On a case-by-case basis, scholarly books and chapters in such books may be accepted in lieu of PRJs, if these publications come from well-known, high-quality academic publishing houses – in such instances, the Faculty Qualification Committee, in consultation with the Dean, makes the decision.

and

2. Participating in scholarly activities open to public scrutiny and review, such as publishing in scholarly meeting proceedings, papers presented at academic meetings, publications in trade journals, book reviews, consulting reports, presentations at faculty workshops, case studies, participation in academic workshops or seminars, instructional software, or design and implementation of new courses.  Most faculty members will participate in three or more activities of this nature within the most recent five-year period.

or

Three PRJs every five years fully meet the standard for SA faculty.

 

Practice Academic Maintenance of Qualification Status

Faculty members classified as PA maintain their status by engaging in activities which demonstrate currency in their profession.  These activities may include: [1]

1. Consulting activities that are material in terms of time and substance
2. Faculty internships/externships
3. Development and presentation of executive education programs
4. Sustained professional work supporting qualified status
5. Significant participation in business professional associations
6. Practice-oriented intellectual contributions detailed in AACSB Standard 2
7. Relevant, active service on external governing boards
8. Documented continuing professional education experiences
9. Participation in professional events that focus on the practice of business, management, and related issues
10. Participation in other activities that place faculty in direct contact with business or other organizational leaders
11. Publications in non-peer reviewed venues*
12. Facilitation of professional seminars related to the faculty member’s discipline or responsibilities*
13. Other activities may be approved by the FQC in consultation with the Dean*

The faculty member is responsible for documenting that the quality and quantity of activities is sufficient to be considered current and relevant in his/her field.

 

Scholarly Practitioner (SP) and Instructional Practitioner (IP) Initial Qualification Status

The initial qualifications for both SP and IP categories shall be:

1. Possesses at least a master’s degree (or equivalent qualification) in a discipline or  field related to the area of teaching responsibilities
2. Professional experience at the time of hiring that is significant in duration and level of responsibility and consistent with the area of teaching responsibilities.
   1. “Duration” is evidenced by at least seven years of full-time professional experience in field at the time of hire.
   2. “Level of responsibility” is evidenced by three of those seven years having been above that of an entry level position.
      1. Level of responsibility shall be determined by reference to a variety of indicators, for example title, number of direct reports, and technical complexity of duties.
      2. Practitioners whose experience is significant in duration and level of responsibility are initially qualified to teach introductory courses in their discipline.
      3. Those with significant managerial or technical responsibilities as evidenced by three years’ experience in the area covered by the subject matter may teach advanced undergraduate courses for which their experience is relevant.  Graduate courses require a minimum of ten years’ experience in the disciplinary field.
   3. The requisite three years may be included within the seven years minimum for IP status. The above requirements qualify practitioner candidates for up to two years after ending employment in field. Beyond two years, they must also meet the maintenance requirements to be considered initially IP.
   4. Part-time employment shall be converted proportionally into full-time equivalent.
   5. Item 2bi will be established by reference to multiple indicators. See Appendix for an illustrative list of hypothetical candidates who would or would not qualify as IP. It is expected that the FQC will be able to provide clear rationales adducing one or more examples for candidates who do not manifestly meet the requirements.
      

The following courses are considered Introductory: ACC 201, ACC 202, ACC 340, FIN 230, FIN 310, MGT 250, MIS 260, MKT 200 and MKT 201.

 

Scholarly Practitioner (SP) Maintenance of Qualification Status

A Scholarly Practitioner faculty member maintains this status by satisfying the following activities relating to the area of teaching within the most recent five-year period:

Publication of two peer-reviewed journal articles in academic or practitioner journals. On a case-by-case basis, books, and chapters in such books may be accepted in lieu of PRJs, if these publications come from well-known, high quality academic publishing houses – in such instances the Faculty Qualification Committee in consultation with the Dean makes the decision.

and

At least one activity from the following list:

1. Books – Publication of an academic or practitioner-oriented book.
2. Presentations – Local, regional, national or international academic or practitioner conferences.
3. Reports – Authoring public or professional reports available for public scrutiny.
4. Editorials – Publishing multiple editorials in professional or academic magazines or journals.
5. Professional Development – Maintain professional certifications; attend professional or academic conferences and workshops, earning appropriate CE credits.
6. Professional Leadership – Officer in national, regional, local associations or serving as an active member on a Board of Directors.
7. Consulting – Maintain substantive and current activity in consulting with the business community.
8. Engaging in other professional duties and responsibilities deemed sufficient to demonstrate currency in teaching area as approved in advance by the FQC and the Dean.
9. Employment – Full or part-time, qualified and significant practitioner duties.

Three PRJs every 5 years fully meets the standard for SP faculty.

Instructional Practitioner (IP) Maintenance of Qualification Status

Instructional Practitioners maintain their status by:

1. Employment – Full or part-time, qualified and significant practitioner duties,

or

2. Completing at least two of the following activities relating to the area of teaching within the most recent five-year period:[2]Books – Publication of an academic or practitioner-oriented book.*

1. 1. Presentations – Local, regional, national or international academic or practitioner conferences.
   2. Reports – Authoring public or professional reports available for public scrutiny.
   3. Editorials – Publishing multiple editorials in professional or academic magazines or journals.
   4. Professional Development – Maintain professional certification, attend professional or academic conferences and workshops, earning appropriate CE credits.
   5. Professional Leadership – Officer in national, regional, local associations or serving as an active member on a Board of Directors.
   6. Consulting – Maintain substantive and current activity in consulting with the business community.
   7. Engaging in other professional duties and responsibilities deemed sufficient to demonstrate currency in teaching area as approved in advance by the FQC and the Dean.

 

Defining and Maintaining Academic or Practice Qualification Status for Deans

A Dean will be considered SA, PA, SP, IP dependent upon initial qualifications as expressed above and will maintain that status consistent with the appropriate requirements above.

 

Requirement Metrics

Requirement Metrics to meet the requirements of AACSB International Standard 15 regarding faculty qualifications (by department/discipline and by program level):

Minimum SA: (SA)/(SA +PA + SP + IP +O) > 40% Minimum SA + PA + SP (SA + PA + SP)/(SA + PA + SP +IP +0 ) ≥60% Minimum SA + PA + SP + IP: (SA + PA + SP + IP)/(SA + PA + SP + IP + O) ≥90%

This document is expected to evolve based on the experiences of the Ancell School of Business and guidance from AACSB International.

 

Table 1. Faculty qualification breakdown

		Sustained Engagement Activities
		Academic (Research/Scholarly)	Applied/Practice
Initial Academic Preparation & Professional Experience	Doctoral Degree	Scholarly Academic (SA)	Practice Academic (PA)
		Minimum contribution requirements every 5 yrs.* Two  PRJ publications or equivalent (requires approval) and  three qualifying activities	Minimum contribution requirements every 5 yrs.* Engaging in sufficient qualifying activities to be considered current and relevant in his/her field
	Professional experience, substantial in duration & level of respon-sibility	Scholarly Practitioner (SP)	Instructional Practitioner (IP)
		Minimum contribution requirements every 5 yrs.* Two PRJ publications or equivalent (requires approval) and One qualifying activity	Minimum contribution requirements every 5 yrs.* Full or part-time continuing employment or two qualifying activities

* Lists of qualifying activities for each category and other detailed guidance appear supra in this document. Three PRJs every 5 years fully meets the standards for SA and SP faculty.

 

Appendix. Examples of Experience Sufficient for Granting Initial Instructional Practitioner Status 

The following examples of initial qualified practitioner status provide guidance and are intended to be used analogously across disciplines.

Marketing Example

Consultant or small business owner who provides services directly related to the content of the course they are teaching.  For example, a marketing consultant (with 7 years’ experience) who provides social media, search engine marketing, ecommerce and related services would be qualified to teach Introduction to Marketing or an advanced undergraduate course in Internet marketing.

 

Accounting Examples

A manager with 7 years’ experience, all in audit, is qualified to teach introductory and intermediate accounting, as well as well as auditing.  Had he transitioned into tax after three years’, he would be qualified in tax but not auditing. Accounting sole-proprietor with 20 years’ experience including 5 years of audit practice at the inception of his or her career, who performs financial statement reviews, tax compliance, and budgets, with no auditing, is qualified for introductory accounting only.

 

Management Examples

A Human Resources first-line supervisor at a Fortune 500 company with 7 years’ experience of which 3 is in their current position; they have several professional direct reports. He/she is qualified for Organizational Behavior and courses within Management’s Human Resources Option. Sole HR professional for a 50 (or more) person startup with 7 years of experience including 3 in current position but just an admin direct report is also qualified for Organizational Behavior and courses within Management’s Human Resources Option. VP for Human Resources at Cartus with 10 years’ experience is qualified for the same courses as C and D above as well as Leadership in the MBA program.

 

Finance Examples

A finance professional with 7 years’ experience in creating and pricing fixed income securities can teach creating and pricing fixed income securities without significant managerial experience. This person could also teach introductory finance. Mr. So and So was CFO of a NYSE traded company for 14 years who retired in 2014, but continued to provided consulting and advice to the firm for a year.He served as a member of several boards to which he continues to provide consulting services, and is a member of the Advisory Board of the Department of Finance at Ancell School of   Business.  As of 2014 he met the 7/3 requirement and with >= 10 years of experience could also teach graduate courses had he been hired at that point.  His continued consulting and other professional engagements qualify him to still be initially considered as IP faculty at any point from 2016  onward, since he is maintaining his IP qualifications. He is eligible to teach investments and all corporate finance courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Ms. So and So has 20 years of professional experience and is working full time as a Corporate Finance Transformation Leader for a Fortune 50 firm.  Prior positions included COO & CFO of divisions of her employer. She also has designed and taught numerous classes on financial planning, pricing and accounting for her firm, and served as an evaluator for its Finance Management Assessment Program.  She meets the 7/3 requirement and can teach graduate courses by virtue of her >= 10 years professional experience. This person qualifies to teach corporate finance at all levels.

 

Instructional Practitioner Form

This is verbatim except for disguising of employers, once the revised practitioner qualifications are approved, it can be tweaked to conform.

This form is prepared for use of the Dean and summarizes chairs’ conclusions regarding the current professional experience of adjunct faculty, as well as the FQC’s concurrence or disagreement with those conclusions.

Department: …….	Date:
Faculty name and degrees:
Qualification Status: Instructional Practitioner (IP), Scholarly Practitioner (SP), Practice Academic (PA), Scholarly Academic (SA).  If none of the previous, then “other”   Note: faculty with current professional experience and master’s degree, but no terminal degree and no publications are considered for IP status, those who are potentially SP, PA, or SA must have a full Sedona record which should be noted on this document.
Level qualified to teach: BBA Core, UG major, Grad or specific courses:
Nature of current qualifying experience: Can be exceedingly brief, if self-explanatory (Director of Marketing for XYZ Inc. since 2010) , but will require some elaboration for those whose teaching assignments are not manifestly linked to their current professional careers or for whom the extent and level of  experience is limited.  Generally, current full-time or substantial part-time professional experience above entry-level is sufficient for BBA Core courses, excepting MGT 415. Excerpts from a Sedona vitae can be copied or a sentence or two written by the chair. If more detail is required, it is the responsibility of the faculty to supply it.

 

[1] Items are quoted directly from the AACSB International Business Standards unless marked by an asterisk (*)

2 Items are quoted directly from the AACSB International Business Standards unless marked by an asterisk (*)