Faculty Credentials
Qualifications, Orientation and Training
Higher Learning Commission AND Dual Credit Instructor Requirements
The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) is NWTC’s accreditation body and has imposed new credential
requirements for high school dual credit instructor. These credentials will be enforced in 2022 and require
those that teach in the area of General Studies (Math, Language, Communications, Natural Sciences,
Behavioral Sciences, Social Sciences) to possess a Master’s Degree in the content area or a Master’s degree
plus 18 graduate credits in the content area. NEWERA is a group of post-secondary institutions in Northeast
WI that is working on creating course access, affordability and incentives for this credential pursuit.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Higher Learning Commission (HLC)?
The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) is an
independent corporation that was founded in 1895 as
one of six regional institutional accreditors in the United
States. HLC accredits degree-granting post-secondary
educational institutions in the North Central region.
What has NWTC done to abide by HLC requirements?
Like most post-secondary institutions within the North
Central region of the U.S., we have filed and been
granted an extension until September 2022 to meet the
dual credit credential requirements.
What is NWTC doing to help instructors gain these
heightened credentials?
NWTC partnered with Northeast Wisconsin Educational
Resource Alliance (NEWERA) to:
• create access to coursework/credentials in a variety
of modes of instruction
• explore reduced funding costs related to course
tuition and/or grant options
• partner with area school districts through work
groups to create incentives for instructors to pursue
heightened credentials
Who will pay for these heightened course
requirements?
Dual credit instructors are encouraged to work within
their District process/policies to gain financial support
for course tuition. NEWERA will continue to seek
grant and legislative support to help in financing HLC
credential requirements.
Why is post-secondary accreditation important?
An HLC peer review of college operations ensures quality
programming, which qualifies post-secondary institutions
to grant federal financial aid to students and allows
potential credit transferability to four-year partners.
Why does HLC accreditation extend to dual
(transcribed) credit?
Dual credit (transcribed credit) is defined as a
duplication of an NWTC course delivered by a secondary
teacher that is trained in post-secondary curriculum
delivery. Because the transcribed/dual credit course
is an extension of NWTC coursework, high school dual
credit instructors must meet HLC credential guidelines.
How and why were the high school credential
guidelines developed?
Due to the increase in dual credit offerings throughout
the nation, HLC conducted a study of Dual Credit
Programming. Dual Credit in U.S. Higher Education: A
Study of State Policy and Quality Assurance Practices
was conducted in 2012. This study found quality
concerns regarding rigor of coursework taught by high
school instructors with secondary faculty credentials
and capabilities cited as a critical quality issue.
The resolution to the rigor discrepancy was to enforce
dual credit instructor credential requirements.
What are the HLC requirements for dual credit
instructors that teach General Studies or Core
Subject area courses?
Master’s Degree or higher in the teaching discipline taught
or a Master’s degree in another discipline along with a
minimum of 18 credits in the discipline being taught. For
example, a instructor that teaches Intro to Psychology
would meet requirements with the following:
• Master’s degree in Educational Leadership plus
18 graduate credits in Psychology OR
• Master’s degree in Psychology
How does HLC define General Studies or Core Subject
Area coursework at NWTC?
Math, English/Writing, Communication, Social Sciences,
Natural Sciences and Foreign Language
What are the HLC requirements for dual credit
instructors that teach Career and Technical
Education/Occupational courses?
Completion of a degree in the discipline or subfield in
which they teach, with coursework at least one level
above that of the courses being taught or developed,
unless an occupational license or credential is required
for a specified course. For example, a instructor that
teaches Automation 1 would meet the requirement
with the following:
• Bachelor’s degree in Education with licensure
in Technology Education OR
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering
How does HLC define Career and Technical
Education/Occupational Coursework at NWTC?
Technology Education, Agri-culture, Engineering, Business
Education, Marketing, Information Technology, Family
and Consumer Education, Health Sciences, Culinary, Early
Childhood, Para-educator, Art.
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