DID YOU KNOW ?
TRANSCRIPTED CREDIT
Frequently Asked Questions about HLC and Transcripted Credit Teacher Requirements
1 . What is the HLC ?
The Higher Learning Commission ( HLC ) is an independent corporation that was founded in 1895 as one of seven regional institutional accreditors in the United States . HLC accredits degree-granting , postsecondary educational institutions in the United States .
2 . Why is 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 .
3 . What programs are connected to HLC requirements ?
Because the HLC grants accreditation at the institutional level , all credit-bearing educational programming at NWTC is connected to the HLC .
4 . How do HLC requirements impact transcripted credit specifically ?
Transcripted credit is defined as a duplication of an NWTC course delivered by a secondary teacher who is trained in post-secondary curriculum delivery . Because the transcripted dual credit course is an extension of NWTC coursework , high school instructors must meet the same HLC credential guidelines as other NWTC faculty . For more information , visit nwtc . edu / K12HLC .
DID YOU KNOW ?
NWTC understands that a master ’ s degree requirement can be difficult for K-12 school districts . Currently , we have an exemption , valid through September 2025 , that allows transcripted credit instructors to meet credentialing requirements without a master ’ s degree . It is uncertain what the credentialing requirement will be after September 2025 , but we are committed to keeping our K-12 partners engaged and informed .
5 . What are the HLC credential requirements for transcripted credit instructors ?
It depends .
For general studies courses , a master ’ s degree or higher in the discipline being taught or a master ’ s degree in another discipline along with a minimum of 18 credits in the discipline being taught is required . For example , a teacher who 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 .
For career and technical education / occupational courses , the core requirement is the 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 specific course . For example , a teacher who teachers Automation 1 would meet the HLC requirements with the following :
• Bachelor ’ s degree in education with teaching licensure in technology education .
OR
• Bachelor ’ s degree in engineering .
6 . How does the HLC define “ general studies ” and “ career and technical education / occupational ” coursework ?
General studies includes communication , math , English , foreign language , social sciences , natural sciences , and writing .
Career and technical education / occupational includes agriculture , art , auto , business , culinary , early childhood , engineering , marketing , family and consumer education , health sciences , information technology , para-educator , and welding .
For more information on courses available through Wisconsin universities and private colleges , visit NEWERA Graduate Credential Quest ( graduatecreditquest . org ).
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