Requirements for Professional Employees

Full-time and regular part-time Professional Employees, as defined by the Agreement between Pratt Community College and the Pratt Higher Education Association, must meet the following requirements no later than April 1 of the last year of the employee's probationary period. Substantial progress towards these requirements must be evident before the employee will be offered a non-probationary continuing contract.

a. Academic Area: Will present evidence of a Master’s Degree or of continuous progress toward completing requirements for a Master's Degree in his/her field of study.

b. Technical Area: Will present evidence of a Bachelor’s Degree or of continuous progress toward completing requirements for a Bachelor's Degree in his/her field of study. Subsequent enrollment in an approved graduate program or advanced technical training is required along with, submitting documentation yearly as evidence of progress.

c. Nursing Area: Each nurse faculty member with a continuing appointment in nursing programs shall possess a masters degree or show evidence of continuous progress toward degree completion. The graduate degree need not specify nursing if the degree is conferred on or before July 1, 1999. If after July 1, 1999, the graduate degree must be in nursing.

When a position, occupied by an incumbent not meeting these qualifications, is vacated, a qualified replacement will be sought. However, because of the college’s size and semi-isolated geographical location, fully qualified faculty are difficult to attract and employ. In selected cases of critical need, the administration is authorized to substitute demonstrated skill and experience in teaching or in the technical field for educational credentials. This is subject to an agreement that the professional employee begins work to satisfy credentialing requirements.

x This replaces policy dated 04-06-04