• BC Post-Secondary System
• Membership
• Principles & Guidelines for Transfer
• Accreditation and Quality Assurance
• Private Institutions
• Instructor Qualifications
• History

 

Instructor Qualifications for Transferable Courses

The following represents BCCAT's position on instructor qualifications within the BC Transfer System:

1. BC Transfer System Instructor Qualification Standards

• Based on long-standing precedents in the BC Transfer System, BCCAT expects that instructors who teach academic, degree-level transfer courses will usually possess, at a minimum, a master's degree or equivalent in the discipline or in a closely related area.
• Instructors teaching in other transferable programs (e.g. diploma programs) will usually possess, at a minimum, credentials consistent with the normative requirements for that program in the BC Transfer System.
• It is recognized that there may be programs in which other qualifications are equally, or more, appropriate. (Examples of alternately qualified instructors: First Nations elders, practising artists, acknowledged or renowned experts or practitioners.)
• When, for legitimate reasons, it is not possible to engage faculty who meet the standards described above, institutions should provide appropriate mentoring and supervision.

2. Establishing and Monitoring Expectations

• BCCAT expects institutions participating in the BC Transfer System to develop and/or make explicit and accessible their policies on instructor qualifications for
  
  
  • hiring of instructors in programs for which transfer credit may be negotiated, and for
  • awarding transfer credit for courses taught at other institutions.
• It is reasonable for any receiving institution upon occasion to seek assurance as to the hiring policies or practices at a sending institution, or to request specific information about the qualifications of an instructor for an articulated course.
• In the event that a concern arises that can not be resolved between the institutions, BCCAT can provide mediation services, if requested. Mediation entails facilitating further discussions between the institutions with the goal of achieving a mutually acceptable outcome. Although BCCAT may suggest possible solutions, it has no authority to impose a binding resolution to the issues in dispute.

For an in-depth discussion and background to this position statement, please click here (PDF)