Credentialing Policy 

Who needs to complete the Teaching and Learning Competency Requirement?

Board Policy 3.32 College Faculty Credentialing and supporting Procedure 3.32.1 require that all faculty hired into unlimited positions with a start date of employment on or after July 1, 2006 must complete the requirement unless the requirement is waived. 

Faculty hired prior to July 1, 2006 who were required to take the Teacher Education Series (TES) courses must complete those courses or the new courses offered to meet the Teaching and Learning Competency Requirement.

What is the Teaching and Learning Competency Requirement?

The teaching and learning competency requirement consists of four courses in the following content areas: course construction – a credit course; teaching/instructional methods – a credit course; student outcomes assessment/evaluation - a credit course; and philosophy of community and technical college education – a non-credit course.

New faculty members who hold a degree in education focused on a post secondary student learning environment, have documented evidence of successful completion of equivalent coursework in the specified teaching and learning content areas, or three years of successful full-time (or equivalent) secondary, postsecondary, industry, or trade apprenticeship teaching experience in the field for which they are being hired will be exempt from taking the first three courses.

The philosophy course shall be waived for individuals who, at the time of hire, have documented evidence of successful completion of equivalent coursework. The equivalency determination will be made by the Office of the Chancellor Human Resources Office.

Why do faculty need to complete the Teaching and Learning Competency Requirement?

The learning experiences defined in this requirement are intended to provide the faculty with an insight into the culture and climate of teaching at a community or technical college in Minnesota, lay the groundwork for excellence in teaching and learning, and ensure that faculty possess the minimum instructional knowledge, skill and practice components foundational for the community and technical college teaching environment.

Who determines if a faculty member needs to complete some or all of the teaching and learning competency courses?

After review of a newly hired unlimited faculty member's credentials, the Office of the Chancellor will inform the faculty member of the teaching and learning competency requirements necessary for completion.

What is the procedure to have a course evaluated for equivalency?

The published course description and/or other documentation, along with the transcript, should be submitted directly to the Human Resources Office of the faculty member's home campus.  The HR office will verify the teaching assignment and the appointment status of the faculty member.  If the appointment status is unlimited, the unlimited faculty member needs to submit a "New T&LC Request Form" in the College Faculty Salary and Credentialing System. https://spp.mnscu.edu/

Teaching and Learning Courses 

Who will offer the courses?

Southwest Minnesota State University will offer the newly developed courses in the content areas of course construction, teaching/instructional methods and student outcomes assessment/evaluation.  Courses may be taken at the undergraduate or graduate level.

The non-credit philosophy course will be offered as an self-directed online tutorial offered by the Center for Teaching and Learning.

The Teacher Education Series (TES) courses at Bemidji State University (BSU) or the University of Minnesota (U of M) will also satisfy the teaching and learning competency requirements.. 

What are the Teacher Education Series (TES) courses?

The TES courses were designed to provide professional development for career and technical educators throughout Minnesota.  These courses are available from Bemidji State University and the University of Minnesota.  A faculty member may complete one or all of the required courses through TES.

When will the courses be offered?

Southwest Minnesota State University (SMSU) has developed the undergraduate/graduate Teaching and Learning credit courses for any unlimited college faculty. These courses will be offered each semester and during the summer.  The format may be online, blended or in an institute format (all three courses at once).

The Teacher Education Series (TES) courses at Bemidji State University (BSU) or the University of Minnesota (U of M) are offered each semester and during the summer sessions of each institution.

The Philosophy of Community and Technical College Education non-credit course will be offered each semester and during the summer.

Where will the courses be offered?

SMSU will offer the courses throughout the state to best serve the faculty.

The summer schedules from Bemidji State University and from the University of Minnesota are also available on this web-site on the Course Schedule link.

Who will pay for the courses?

The following options: tuition for these courses may be covered through the use of a tuition waiver (per the MSCF contract), through the use of faculty professional development funds, or through direct personal payment by the faculty member.

There is no charge for the Philosophy of Community and Technical College Education course.

Are there alternative courses that a faculty member may take?

Any coursework offered for credit by four-year colleges or universities in course construction, teaching/instructional methods, student outcomes assessment/evaluation, and philosophy of community and technical college education may be evaluated by the Office of the Chancellor to determine if they are equivalent courses.

Will faculty currently completing the existing Teacher Education Series (TES) be required to finish this series to meet the proposed new teaching and learning competency requirement?

Faculty will need to either complete the entire existing TES, or may choose to receive credit for the equivalent TES courses already taken and then complete the requirement by taking the remaining courses listed under the new teaching and learning competency requirement.

Will any of the "Preparing Future Faculty” (PFF) courses at universities have approval for equivalencies of the course construction, teaching/instructional methods, or student outcomes assessment/evaluation? 

The PFF courses appear to be general in nature.  More detail regarding the core course content would have to be examined to ensure there is an acceptable commensurateness to the Teaching and Learning Competencies courses, particularly as it relates to 2-year college education before they could be determined 'equivalent'. 

A faculty member would have to follow the procedure outlined above to have the course evaluated for equivalency.

Is there anyway for faculty to 'demonstrate' competency in any or all of the credit courses?

No

Philosophy of Community and Technical College Education Course

Who can take the Philosophy of Community and Technical College Education Course?

All unlimited faculty who accept a teaching position at a two-year college unless an exemption as been granted.

A guest course will be available for any employee of Minnesota State Colleges and Universities.  The user name and password will be posted each semester on the Web site http://facultycourses.mnscu.edu.

How can a faculty register for the Philosophy of Community and Technical College Education Course?

Registration for this course will be open for six weeks – two weeks prior to the start of the semester until 4 weeks after the semester start.  Registration information will be available at http://www.ctl.mnscu.edu/  and http://facultycourses.mnscu.edu.   The faculty member should allow five (5)business days for the registration to be activated. An email confirmation (MnSite - System Site Helpdesk) of the course registration will be sent to the faculty member’s school email address with the D2L login..

What is the Philosophy of Community and Technical College Education Course about?

This non-credit introductory course focuses on the evolution, mission, purpose, and operating features of community and technical colleges. Topics include their missions; philosophies; programs and services; students and staff; administrative and governance structures; financing structures; and patterns of development. The course provides an overview of how the organization and operation of community and technical colleges in Minnesota reflect their historical development, their position in the contemporary postsecondary education market, and their prospects for the future. 

The course:

• Provides a foundational knowledge base to support a faculty member’s role within the community and technical college and Minnesota State Colleges and Universities; and
• Assists the faculty member in developing his/her personal philosophy of teaching and learning in a community or technical college and a continuing professional development plan. 

What are the requirements of the Philosophy of Community and Technical College Education course?

The course is offered in an online, self-directed, non-credit format as a D2L course from the Center for Teaching and Learning.

Course Topics

• Mission of Community and Technical Colleges: Designed to Serve the Learners
• A Short History of Community and Technical Colleges 
• Curricular Programs in Community and Technical Colleges
• The Structure and Operation of Community and Technical Colleges
• The Impact of Community and Technical Colleges
• Roles and Responsibilities of Faculty in Community and Technical Colleges

Each unit will have a unit assessment or quiz to complete.

Based on your reflections from this course a written philosophy of teaching and learning statement expressing a personal commitment to teaching will be required.

Can the Philosophy of Community and Technical College Education course be continued from one semester to another?

If the course work is not completed by the end of the semester, a faculty member must re-register and start the course over.  A faculty member may register for the course as many times as they want.

When will the Philosophy of Community and Technical College Education course be offered?

The Philosophy of Community and Technical College Education course will be offered each semester and during the summer session.

What is the cost of the Philosophy of Community and Technical College Education course?

There is no charge for this course.

If a faculty member has already taken Philosophy of Vocational Education (or equivalent) would he/she need to take the new Philosophy of Community and Technical College Education course?

No