There is No Equivalentto an

Associate Degree

Lionel NashWheeler North

The Genesis

• Title 5 §53410 allows for foreign degrees that are equivalent

• Title 5 §53430 allows one to “possess qualifications that are at least equivalent to the minimum qualifications”

The Resolve

• Spring 2009 – Resolution 10.11R• Resolved, That the Academic Senate for

California Community Colleges recommend to the Board of Governors that there is no equivalent to the associate degree for disciplines in which a master’s degree is not generally expected or available and that an associate degree is the minimum educational qualification required for all faculty members in these disciplines.

The Result

• The resolve was referred to the ASCCC Executive committee to conduct more research on the pros and cons of such a position and to bring back information in Fall 2009. (for reconsideration)

The Timeline

• Fall 2009 session was too soon• Conduct breakouts at numerous

stakeholder events• Prepare articles informing the field• Collect information and evidence• Reconsider resolution in April at

Spring Session.

The Impact

• Title 5 §53410 currently allows for AA/AS degrees in the now two non-Master’s degree areas.

• This change would only impact those two areas.

• If adopted it would have no affect on equivalencies for Bachelor’s or Master’s degrees.

The Philosophy

• Should all faculty posses the degree that their students are seeking?

• Is it right for some K12 and Noncredit requirements to have higher qualifications?• (In vocational/ROP areas)

The Questions

• What’s Broken?• Is there evidence of faculty

inappropriately being hired?• Are there undue costs associated with

hiring equivalent faculty?• Are many faculty hired with no college

degree?• Are such faculty less able to serve

students in the many areas supported by faculty?

The Con

• Will classes truly be canceled because we cannot find faculty with six years experience and an associate degree?

• Will this affect new program startups?• Will this affect noncredit or other

qualifications where an AA/AS equivalent is allowed?

The Unanswered

• What other questions do we need to be asking?

• What other constituent groups will be interested in this?

• Are there more effective ways to promote improvement that will have less disruptive impact?

The Addendum

• Recent changes to Title 5 §53410 provided for a new category of minimum qualifications.

• This allows for Bachelor’s and associate degree qualifications that are specific to the discipline area.

• The new list will include original lists plus a new combined list. (is being finalized right now)

The Disciplines List – The Old

• Is two separate lists• Disciplines requiring a Master’s Degree• Disciplines in which a Master’s Degree is

not generally expected or available in that specific discipline (requires any degree)

• Included qualifications for “Others” as detailed directly in Title 5

• Did not provide for a state-wide minimum qualification of a Bachelor’s degree

The Disciplines List – The New

• Discipline qualifications are now organized into three main groups 1. Disciplines requiring a Master’s Degree2. Disciplines where a Master’s degree is not normally

expected but a Bachelor’s or Associate degree is expected

3. Disciplines in which a Master’s, Bachelor’s or Associate Degree is not generally expected or available in that specific discipline (requires any degree)

4. Disciplines for non-credit instruction 5. Other – to include Administrators, Learning Center

Coordinators, Health Services Professionals, Apprenticeship Instructors, DSP&S Counselors, Work Experience Coordinators, Faculty Interns, EOPS