The University of Texas at Arlington

All instructors of record must possess the academic preparation, training, and experience to teach in an academic setting and must meet the minimum requirements of accrediting bodies and state agencies. Academic Deans are responsible for the verification and validation of all faculty credential requirements. The verification and validation of these requirements will be compiled and listed on the “Certification of Credentials and Qualifications” form (CCQ form). This form outlines the educational and experience requirements from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), and provides a summary of the credentials for each new faculty member teaching at the University.

Prior to any faculty member’s appointment with the University, the Dean of the college examines and approves the prospective faculty member’s credentials to ensure that they meet the requirements listed on the CCQ form. The Dean will work with the Chair to acquire the documents required for the credentialing process.

Tenure Stream Faculty

The Dean will forward the completed CCQ forms for tenured and tenure-track hires to the Provost for final approval and signature. Letters of offer for tenure stream positions will not be issued until these forms are approved by the Provost. The Provost will forward all CCQ forms for tenure-stream faculty to the Office of Institutional Research and Planning for recording purposes and to the Dean of the Graduate School for recording Graduate Faculty status.

Non-Tenure Stream Faculty

Final approval of credentials for all non-tenure stream faculty, including graduate teaching assistants serving as instructors of record for credit-bearing courses, rests with the Dean. Academic Deans will forward CCQ forms for all non-tenure stream faculty to the Office of Institutional Research and Planning for recording purposes. If appointment to the Graduate Faculty or approval for teaching a graduate course without appointment to the Graduate Faculty is desired for a non-tenure stream faculty, Academic Deans will also forward the CCQ form with accompanying Credential Verifications (CV) to the Dean of the Graduate School.

It is the responsibility of the prospective faculty member to provide the University with all of the documentation needed to verify their credentials. This includes, but is not limited to, a resume/vitae, resume supplement, official transcripts (indicating terminal degree or other appropriate transcripts), appropriate licenses or certifications, and the verification of professional experience related to the teaching area (as needed). These documents shall be maintained in the departmental personnel files at all times. The cost to obtain official transcripts (including necessary translations and evaluations of foreign transcripts) and copies of licenses and certifications is borne by the prospective faculty member. It is the responsibility of faculty members teaching in disciplines that require licensure and/or certification to acquire and maintain those credentials, and to provide documentation of licensure and certification to the hiring department. The University may periodically request updated documents from faculty members to maintain the personnel file. New faculty members must provide an official transcript at time of hire.


When the credentials of the instructor of record do not include possession of the terminal degree in the teaching field, but the prospective instructor possesses outstanding professional experience or demonstrated contributions to the teaching discipline, the individual may be alternatively credentialed. Sufficient objective documentation to support outstanding experience and demonstrated contributions are required to warrant consideration. The candidate for alternative credentialing must provide a current resume or curriculum vitae; an official transcript(s); a completed Certification of Credentials and Qualifications form including an appropriate justification statement; and independent documentation verifying the outstanding professional experience or specific demonstrated contribution toward the teaching discipline.


For purposes of this policy, an official transcript is defined as 1) one that contains a statement identifying it as official or 2) possesses a sufficient number of the following characteristics to permit a reasonable person to determine that the document is official:

1. the issuing institution’s official seal;
2. the signature of the appropriate authorizing agent, preferable the institution's Registrar;
3. the institution's official letterhead or stationary;
4. the institution's watermark or other identifier;
5. date of issue.

The official transcripts are required to be sent to the faculty member’s academic department head. Official transcripts that are issued to the former student (faculty member) are acceptable as long as they meet the criteria defined above. It is the responsibility of the faculty member to provide the official transcript. The Department Chair and Dean are responsible for ensuring the authenticity of the transcript. Transcripts that are classified as unofficial will not be accepted as official.


All transcripts submitted by a potential faculty member from foreign universities or schools must be evaluated for equivalency to United States (U.S.) accredited course work by a University approved agency. All costs for these services are borne by the University. Only course work and degrees granted by an accredited college or university, or an acceptable evaluation of foreign course work and degrees will be accepted for credentialing faculty. The Dean shall forward a copy of the foreign transcript to the Office of the Provost who will coordinate the evaluation of the transcript. The report verifying the equivalency to a U.S. degree shall be maintained in the academic department personnel file and in the Office of Institutional Research and Planning.


The hiring of individuals whose qualifying degree is from a non-regionally accredited institution in the United States will be considered on case-by-case basis. Criteria to be considered include the degree issuing institution’s reputation, whether the institution is accredited or recognized by other agencies or organizations, and a thorough evaluation of the candidate’s course work and experience. If such a hire is deemed desirable, then the Chair must fully evaluate the faculty member’s educational background and experience, document the findings in a memorandum to the Dean and the Provost, prepare a Certification of Credentials and Qualifications form in accordance with current standards, and obtain the documents described in Section 6-551.