Degrees Recognized in the Instructional Salary Schedule

I. Policy Title: Degrees Recognized in the Instructional Salary Schedule

II. Who does this policy affect?

Professional Staff

III. Purpose

This policy clarifies which degrees and credits will be recognized by the instructional salary schedule for professional staff.

IV. Policy Statement

The instructional salary schedule of the Board of Trustees shall recognize only earned academic degrees from regionally accredited colleges and universities. Any credit hours earned post-completion of a Master’s degree must be classified as graduate credits by the designated university for recognition unless otherwise stipulated in a negotiated collective bargaining agreement.

The instructional salary schedule shall not recognize credits earned toward a professional degree except when such credits are defined as graduate credits by the degree-granting institution and are directly related to the applicant's current teaching assignment or are required by the accrediting agencies.

Effective July 1, 1973, additional compensation paid under this section shall not be paid if the instructor is assigned only to courses where earned professional degree credits are not applicable.

If there is a conflict between this policy and the existing negotiated collective bargaining agreement, the terms and conditions of the collective bargaining agreement prevail.

V. Definitions
N/A

VI. Responsible Party for Policy Interpretation/Review
Human Resources

VII. Related Documents
N/A

VIII. Policy History:
a. Adopted by Board: February 20, 1995
b. Previous Policy Section: Professional Staff; Previous Policy No. 4100

Reviewed/Updated

December 11, 2023 – Approved by Board of Trustees
November 20, 2023 – Reviewed by Policy Committee

This policy supersedes and replaces any and all past policies related to this subject