Minimum Criteria for Faculty Positions
Minimum Criteria for Full-Time and Adjunct Faculty Hires
Applicants for teaching assignments are expected to have strong communication skills. Applicants are expected to have post-secondary teaching experiences; work experiences in the discipline to be taught; and knowledge of industry-related software and systems, including industry certifications, where appropriate. Degrees must be from an accredited institution.
Accounting | Master’s degree in field or related field and/or CPA. 1/09 |
Administrative Office Professional | Master’s degree in Business Ed, Computer/Information Systems-Business education ability to teach beginning, intermediate and advanced courses. Documented knowledge of Microsoft Office and related technologies. 11/06 |
Africana and Ethnic Studies | Master’s degree in an Ethnic Studies field or related field or PhD preferred. Living in a specific ethnic community is highly desirable. A Master’s in a related field, from an accredited institution or a Bachelor’s degree with additional combination of coursework and relevant professional experience in the discipline, may be substituted. Individuals raised in or having lived in the specific culture to be taught, are preferred and will be given preference over those who have only studied the culture in question. Individuals seeking employment in the department should demonstrate that they have taught the subject on the secondary education level at a minimum. 11/06 |
Allied Health | Certification equal to or exceeding the level of program graduates. 11/06 |
American Sign Language | Bachelor’s degree in American Sign Language, Linguistics, Deaf Studies, Deaf Education or related field required; master’s degree with relevant experience preferred; appropriate certifications preferred. Native ASL fluency preferred. 1/13 |
Anthropology | Master’s degree in Anthropology or related field, plus demonstrated expertise in the teaching area. 5/09 |
Apprenticeship/Construction (CAR, BLC, SHM, STI, PLT, STP) | Certification and/or journeyman’s papers equal to or exceeding the level of program graduates. 11/06 |
Art | For full-time ART faculty: Master’s degree in visual art required. For adjunct ART faculty: Bachelor’s degree (master’s preferred) in art or related field. 1/13 |
Automotive Technology | Five years' work experience; applicable ASE certifications; Pennsylvania Inspection and Emission Licenses; certifications and licenses must be maintained. 1/09 |
Aviation Technology | One year teaching experience as flight instructor and/or a ground school instructor; ATP (Airline Transport Pilot) rating; CFIAI (Certified Flight Instructor Aircraft and Instrument) rating; AGI (Advanced Ground Instructor) rating, Meteorology or aeronautical and mechanical aircraft engineering experience. 11/06 |
Biology | Requires one of the following: Master’s or doctorate in biology, 30 graduate biology credits, professional medical doctorate, (e.g., MD, DDS, DO, DVM) or a master’s degree in a recognized biological or medical sub-field. Adjunct faculty must also meet these requirements, although professional experience teaching college level biology can be considered in place of all or some of the 30 credits in biology. 9/10 |
Building Maintenance (MMT) | Five years’ work experience and certifications required by industry. 11/06 |
Business | Master’s degree in field or related area. 11/06 |
Chemistry | Master’s degree within the discipline or bachelor’s and 30 graduate credits within the discipline are required. Adjunct faculty must also meet these requirements, although professional experience teaching Chemistry can be considered in place of all or some of the 30 credits in Chemistry. 1/09 |
Computer Information Technology | Master’s degree in computer science, information science or computer information systems (or a master’s degree in a related discipline and comparable combination of course work and relevant professional experience). Ability to communicate concepts at an introductory/intermediate level such as productivity applications, programming, operating systems, database management, networking and/or Web development. Adjunct faculty must possess a bachelor’s or master’s degree in computer science, information science or computer information systems (or in a related discipline with relevant professional experience). 4/10 |
Cosmetology Program | Adjunct Faculty – Current Pennsylvania Cosmetology license, current Pennsylvania Cosmetology teacher license and a minimum of four years current industry experience as a cosmetologist. 11/06 |
Counselor | Master’s degree in counseling and two (2) years related experience required. College experience in counseling is preferred. 1/09 |
| Criminal Justice/Homeland Security/Transportation Safety Administration | Master’s degree (doctorate preferred) in criminology, criminal justice or a Master’s degree (doctorate preferred) in a related field with at least eighteen (18) graduate credits in a combination of courses in criminology, police science, corrections, the administration of criminal justice or law and legal studies. Experience in the field preferred. 10/09 |
Culinary Arts | Degree in culinary arts and 5 years experience in field required; certified chef and teaching experience preferred. For adjunct faculty, demonstrated experience with 5 years in the field. High proficiency in specialty area(s) relative to course content level required. Teaching experience preferred. 10/07 |
Dance | Master’s degree or Bachelor’s degree with significant performing and post-secondary teaching experience. 10/07 |
Developmental Studies | Master’s degree in education with a minimum of eighteen (18) graduate credits in reading required. |
Dietary Manager/Dietetic Technician | Professional educator with a background in nutrition, healthcare and food service. Registered Dietitian (RD) with Master’s degree in dietetics required (or Master’s degree in education or related field with a Bachelor's degree in dietetics); and a minimum of three (3) years of teaching experience. Community college teaching experience preferred. Proficiency in the following specialty area(s) relative to course content level required: food management and food preparation. 1/12 |
Early Education and Child Development | Master’s degree in child development or early childhood education or related field. 11/06 |
Economics | Master’s degree in field or related field. 1/09 |
Education | Master’s degree or doctorate in education and K-12 experience are required. In addition for EDU-202, Instructional Technology, a bachelor’s degree or higher and demonstrated skills in the current use of technology in the K-12 classroom are required. 11/06 |
Engineering: Drawing and Design, Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Science, Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Environmental Technology | Master’s degree preferred in engineering technology discipline or related field. Minimum requirement is a bachelor’s degree with 3 years of experience in engineering or engineering technology field. Recent surveying experience is required for full-time civil engineering positions. Discipline competency demonstrated through education, work experience, professional projects, licensure or degrees required for all adjunct faculty positions. The ability to communicate complex engineering concepts at an introductory level is a requirement. 1/13 |
English | Master’s degree in English, Linguistics, Composition, Rhetoric or Literature OR an undergraduate degree in English with Masters in related field including at least 18 credits in English Literature, Composition, Literary Theory or Writing. Some relevant teaching experience is required. 10/07 |
English as a Second Language | Master’s degree in a foreign language, English or linguistics, with ESL certification or equivalent required. 11/06 |
Fire Science | Master’s degree in field or related field, three (3) years of relevant professional experience and demonstrated ability to teach all fire science department offerings. Teaching experience preferred. Adjunct faculty – Bachelor’s degree and five (5) years of relevant professional experience or an associate degree in a relevant discipline and seven (7) years of relevant professional/technical experience and documented teaching ability. 11/06 |
Geography | Master’s degree in geography or master’s degree in a related field with at least fifteen (15) graduate credits in geography. 1/09 |
Geology | MS or PhD in geology or closely related field required. 11/06 |
Graphic Arts | Bachelor’s degree and two years continuous work in an appropriate field pertaining to graphic design with computers and/or specific discipline to be taught. Affirmation of mastery in discipline by portfolio review required. Master’s degree and one year teaching experience preferred. 10/07 |
Health and Physical Education | Bachelor’s Degree in Health and Physical Education or related field. Certification to teach Health and Physical Education preferred. Master’s Degree preferred for lecture courses. Current CPR and AED certifications are required for activity classes. 4/09 |
Heating and Air Conditioning Technology | Associate degree in the field or closely related discipline required. Five years' field experience; teaching experience preferred. EPA and NATE certifications required. RSES membership preferred. Microsoft office proficiency required with emphasis on technology usage in the classroom. 1/12 |
History | Master’s degree in history or master’s degree in closely-related discipline with at least fifteen (15) graduate credits in history. 1/09 |
Hotel/Restaurant Management | Bachelor’s degree in field or related area. Master’s degree preferred. Culinary experience needed for instructional cooking courses. 10/07 |
Interpreter Training | Master’s degree preferred in Educational Interpreting, Deaf Studies, American Sign Language or related field with major emphasis on interpreting. BA with RID certification, CI & CT, NIC Adv. or NIC Master preferred. ASLTA membership, ASLPI or EIPA certification suggested. Applicants must have demonstrated previous successful teaching experience. Community college teaching experience preferred. Applicants are expected to have strong communication skills; post-secondary teaching experiences; work experiences in the discipline to be taught; and knowledge of industry-related software, PowerPoint, blackboard and systems, including industry certifications, where appropriate. Degrees must be from an accredited institution. 9/11 |
Journalism | Master’s degree in field or related area required. 11/06 |
Land Administration | Bachelor’s degree (master’s preferred) in business, legal studies or related field. Three years of experience in the oil and gas industry. 6/12 |
Languages | Master’s degree (or equivalent degree from a foreign university) in the language to be taught. Minor in any other language to be taught. Native or near-native fluency in the language to be taught (reading, writing, speaking and understanding). 11/06 |
Librarian | Master’s degree in the field of library science from an American Library Association (ALA) accredited graduate program; three years of professional library work preferred; including a knowledge of information, public, and circulation services procedures; knowledge in the use of computers in contemporary library services; familiarity with materials processing; and academic library instruction experience. Academic library experience preferred. 10/12 |
Machining | Associate’s degree in machining or related field. Discipline competency in machining and required safety procedures as demonstrated through education, teaching experience, work experience, professional projects, licensure or degrees required for all adjunct faculty positions. 5/12 |
Massage Therapy | Bachelor’s degree (master’s preferred) and at least three years of clinical and/or administrative experience within the last five years. Current Licensed Massage Therapist in Pennsylvania; current membership in American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) or Associated Bodywork and Massage Professional (ABMP); working knowledge of massage modalities (chair, deep tissue, neuromuscular and sports); teaching experience. Must have personal transportation and be willing to transfer to clinical affiliate sites. 1/13 |
Mathematics | MA or MS in mathematics or a Master’s in a related field with at least twenty-four (24) credits of graduate math, of which at least nine (9) credits are from among the following areas: real analysis, linear algebra, abstract algebra and differential equations. Adjunct faculty must have, as a minimum, a Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics, Mathematics Education or in a related discipline which reflects sufficient mathematics coursework or a high level of math proficiency. 10/09 |
Multimedia | Bachelor’s degree in multimedia or related field; master’s degree preferred. Knowledge and experience with multimedia and computer graphics software used in courses required. Industry experience preferred. 1/13 |
Music | Master’s degree in music or music education. 11/06 |
Mythology | Master’s degree with extensive knowledge of Greek and Roman mythology. 11/06 |
Nursing | Full-time Faculty and Classroom Adjunct Faculty: RN (current PA license); master’s degree in nursing; clinical experience. 11/06 |
Paralegal | Master’s degree in legal studies, law or a related area. Minimum one year of professional experience. JD preferred or an attorney. 10/07 |
Paramedic | Master’s in education, science or related field; current PA certification as a Paramedic and National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) certification as a Paramedic; current certification as an Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Instructor by PA Department of Health (DOH); current certification as an American Heart Association Instructor for CPR, Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS). Minimum one year experience as an Advanced Life Support (ALS) pre-hospital provider of emergency care and minimum one year of leadership experience in field. Must be knowledgeable about methods of instruction, testing and assessment of students and knowledgeable concerning current national curricula, national accreditation, national registration and the requirement for state certification and licensure. Must have personal transportation and be willing to travel to clinical affiliate sites. 1/13 |
Philosophy | Master’s degree in philosophy. 11/06 |
Physical Sciences and Physics | Master’s degree or doctorate in physics, physical science or closely related field required. 11/06 |
Political Science | Master’s degree in political science or a master’s degree in a related field with at least eighteen (18) graduate credits in political science. 11/06 |
Psychology | Master’s degree in psychology. Teaching PSY 230 requires a master’s degree in a social or behavioral science and drug and alcohol experience. 1/09 |
Radiation Therapy | Master’s degree in education, science or health related field; a graduate of a regional or JRCERT accredited Radiation Therapy program; Certified in Radiation Therapy Technology and in good standing with the ARRT. Must have three years clinical supervision of radiation therapy students and two years teaching experience in an approved and good standing accredited Radiation Therapy Program recognized by a regionally accredited association or the JRCERT. Experience as a program director preferred; knowledge of JRCERT compliance standards; experience in curriculum design, program administration and assessment. Must have personal transportation and be willing to travel to clinical affiliate sites. 1/13 |
Radiological Technology | Certified in Radiography and in good standing with the AART. Must have two years clinical supervision of student radiographers or teaching experience in an approved and good standing accredited Radiography Program recognized by a RAA or the JRCERT. Must have personal transportation and be willing to travel to and from clinical affiliates as assigned. Adjunct faculty clinical instructors must have a BA or BS degree in any discipline. 4/12 |
Real Estate | For Adjunct faculty: A valid Pennsylvania real estate license as a (broker and/or agent) and demonstrated work experience within five years required. Teaching experience preferred. 1/12 |
Sociology | Master’s degree in sociology or a master’s degree in closely-related field with at least fifteen (15) graduate credits in sociology. Teaching SOC 117 and SOC 118 requires a master’s degree in a social or behavioral science and drug and alcohol experience. 1/09 |
Social Work | Master’s degree in social work. 11/06 |
Speech | Master’s degree in Communication or related field. At least eighteen (18) graduate credits in speech communication required. 11/06 |
Student Development Services (SDS) | Master’s degree in counseling or related field, which includes group work such as student personnel, social work or psychology. 11/06 |
Theater | Master’s degree in theater required with a concentration in theater performance and nine (9) graduate credits in a related field. Technical theater adjunct faculty need a minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree or significant professional experience in technical theater. 11/06 |
Tourism Management | Bachelor’s degree in field preferred and related experience. 10/07 |
Welding | Minimum of five (5) years of welding experience with AWS D1.1, ASME or MIL STD certification, etc. required for select courses. 11/06 |