INDEX

Introduction
Table of Contents

Policies in Process

Preliminaries

Policies

1. Legal Authority and Governance

2. University-wide

3. Presidential Area

4. Academic Affairs

5. Business Affairs

6. Student Life

7. University Advancement

8. Administrative Services

Doctoral Equivalency

Policy Statement

In claiming doctoral equivalency, the applicant must demonstrate a depth and range of planned and evaluated professional activity that would be comparable to that accepted for the award of an earned doctoral degree in a given discipline by a fully accredited and recognized university.   Included in the professional activity are

professional,  academic experiences of such quality, quantity and sequence as to be comparable to doctoral-level courses required in accredited programs;       

professional academic expertise having the same thoroughness, breadth and depth as is verified by doctoral comprehensive examinations;

research or creative achievement acceptable on the doctoral level, presented professionally and evaluated by distinguished members of the discipline field;

demonstrated proficiency in foreign languages or similar competencies required for doctoral level research or creative achievement.

Implicit in doctoral equivalency is a commitment of time as well as financial commitment commonly made by those who attain an earned doctorate.

Certain activities are considered supplemental and performed by those already holding earned doctorates.  These activities are not acceptable in establishing equivalency.  They may, however, be relevant to the fulfillment of other criteria required for advancement in rank or for tenure.

It is recommended that a faculty member obtain a professional advisor in the given discipline to serve as a facilitator in planning a program of activities that could lead to the establishment of doctoral equivalency.  Such a projected program, however, would not imply endorsement by the Rank and Tenure Committee.

All applications based on doctoral equivalency will be reviewed by an ad hoc committee designated by the Rank and Tenure Committee, consisting of the following:

one member of the Rank and Tenure Committee selected from the at-large faculty representatives, who serves as chairperson,

two individuals representing the specialized discipline of the applicant.  They must have at least the rank of Associate Professor at an accredited and recognized college or university.  Recommendations other than the professional advisor may be made by the applicant, but it is the responsibility of the Rank and Tenure Committee to make the appointments.

Any expenses incurred by members of the ad hoc committee, such as travel, lodging, meals, etc., are the responsibility of the applicant.

The ad hoc committee directs its conclusions on doctoral equivalency to the Rank and Tenure Committee, which makes a recommendation to the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs.

Related Policies and Committees

Policy - Promotion of Faculty Members
Committee - Rank and Tenure Committee

History of the Policy

07/01/89 - Reaffirmed with publication of Faculty Manual 2.5
12/02/05 - Review without substantive change approved by the President of the University as recommended by the Policy Committee of the University
08/27/08 - Recommendations from the Rank and Tenure Committee will be sent to the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, approved by the President of the University