faculty qualifications
To qualify as an adjunct, instructor, or faculty candidate for Bellevue University, you must meet the following listed criteria. In general, most qualified adjuncts will be currently working full-time in their field.
- Possess a Master’s or doctoral degree from a regionally accredited institution relating to your area of interest. (Or a business degree with at least 12 credits in the concentration you wish to teach).
- Graduate degree earned two or more years ago.
- At least five years of work experience related to the field in which you wish to teach.
- Legally authorized to work in the United States.
Minimum Requirements
Three colleges within Bellevue University are responsible for teaching academic courses the university offers. Each college has a set of minimum requirements that must be met in order to qualify as a faculty member with the university.
You may review the minimum requirements and preferred credentials for a faculty member for your college of interest below.
Faculty Minimum Requirements for Arts & Sciences
Art
Education
- Preferred: Ph.D. in Fine Arts
- Minimum: Master of Fine Arts degree
Experience
- Teaching: At least three college level courses
Biology
Education
- Preferred: Ph.D. in Biological Sciences field
- Minimum: Master’s degree in Biological Sciences field
Experience
- Teaching: recommended but not necessary if applicant has relevant work–related
experience - Work: recommended but not necessary if applicant has one year teaching experience
in the Biology area
Chemistry
Education
- Preferred: Ph.D. in Chemistry, or Biology with minor in Chemistry
- Minimum: Master’s degree in Chemistry or related field
Experience
- Teaching: recommended but not necessary if applicant has relevant work–related
experience - Work: recommended but not necessary if applicant has one year teaching experience in the
Chemistry area - Other: Good math background
Communication Arts
Education
- Preferred: Ph.D. in Communication Arts Field
- Minimum: Master of Arts or Master of Science degree in Communication
Any Master’s level degree if applicant has taken Communication courses at
the graduate level.
Experience
- Teaching: One year teaching experience is preferred, but will consider those who
have experience in public speaking, workshops, professional presentations, and/or conference
presentations.
Computer Graphic Design
Education
- Preferred: Ph.D. in Graphic Design or Fine Arts
- Minimum: Master’s degree in Graphic Design or Fine Arts(and job experience)
Experience
- Teaching: not necessary, but a bonus
- Work: Required either freelance or in a company
- Special Requirements: (example: licenses, certificates, etc.)
- Software expertise for Graphic Design: Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Quark
- Software expertise for Web Design: Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Flash, HTML, Dreamweaver
- Other: Knowledge of PC platform
Culture & Languages
Education
- Preferred: Ph.D
- Minimum: a Master of Arts degree
Experience
- Teaching: 2 or more years of teaching
- Other: Fluent in the language; some time spent in the target country
Economics
Education
- Preferred: Ph.D. in Economics
- Minimum: Master’s degree in Economics
Experience
- Teaching: Two or three years
- Work: Business-related work experience
- Special Considerations: (example: licenses, certificates, etc.) Prefer background
in Austrian, free–market economic thought and theory
English
Education
- Preferred: Ph.D. in English or Composition
- Minimum: Master of Arts in English or Master of Fine Arts degree in Creative Writing
Experience
- Teaching: Prefer two years or more teaching experience (for a college, university,
or community college)
English as a Second Language
Education
- Preferred: Ph.D. in Second Language Acquisition, ESL, or Linguistics
- Minimum: Completed or working on a Master’s degree in Second Language Acquisition,
ESL, Linguistics, or related fields
Experience
- Teaching: At least two years of ESL teaching experience
Geography
Education
- Preferred: Ph.D. in Geography or related field
- Minimum: Master’s degree in Geography or related field
Experience
- Teaching: recommended but not necessary if applicant has relevant work-related experience
- Work: recommended but not necessary if applicant has one year teaching experience
in the Geography area
Geology
Education
- Preferred: Ph.D. in Geology or related field
- Minimum: Master’s degree or Ph.D. in Geology or related field
Experience
- Teaching: recommended but not necessary if applicant has work-related (relevant)
experience in the Geology area - Work: recommended but not necessary if applicant has one year teaching experience
in the Geology area
History
Education
- Preferred: Ph.D.
- Minimum: M.A. plus classes toward a Ph.D.
Experience
- Teaching: At least three years of some teaching at the college level
- Other: Primary work must be in American or European History
Master of Science in Human Services
Education
- Preferred: Ph.D. in Psychology, Sociology or related Human Services field.
Clinical emphasis - Minimum: Master’s degree
Experience
- Teaching: Experience is more critical
- Work: Active learning is achieved well by working HS professionals
- Special Requirements: (example: licenses, certificates, etc.)
- Clinical licenses (LMHP, Social Work, Clinical Psychology, Chemical Dependency,
etc.) are often indication of useful background.
Humanities
Education
- Preferred: Ph.D.
- Minimum: Master of Arts Degree
Experience
- Teaching: Humanities
Leadership (accelerated)
Education
- Preferred: Ph.D.
- Minimum: Master of Arts Degree
Experience
- Teaching: Leadership-related
- Work: Leadership role
- Special Requirements: (example: licenses, certificates, etc.) Online ability
Mathematics
Education
- Preferred: Ph.D.
- Minimum: Master Arts or Master Science degree in Mathematics
Experience
- Teaching: three years teaching experience
- Work: N/A
Organizational Communication (accelerated)
Education
- Preferred: Ph.D. in Communication
- Minimum: Master Arts or Master Science degree in Communication
Experience
- Teaching: Five years teaching general Communication curriculum or related experience
- Work: Three years managerial experience
Philosophy
Education
- Preferred: Ph.D.
- Minimum: Master of Arts Degree
Experience
- Teaching: Philosophy
Physical Education/Sports Management Education
Physical Education based program, may include other areas (Exercise Science, Sports Management, Athletic Training)
Education
- Preferred: Ph.D.
- Minimum: Master’s Degree
Experience
- Teaching: Area of Health, Physical Education Recreation, Sports Management, Athletic
Training - Work: Subject to review by the area chair
- Special Requirements: (example: licenses, certificates, etc.) Subject to review by the area chair
Physics
Education
- Preferred: Ph.D. in Physics or related field
- Minimum: Master’s degree or Ph.D. in Physics or related field
Experience
- Teaching: recommended but not necessary if applicant has relevant work-related experience
- Work: recommended but not necessary if applicant has one year teaching experience
in the Physics area
Political Science
Education
- Preferred: Ph.D.
- Minimum: Master’s Degree
Experience
- Teaching: Political Science courses such as American Government & Politics,
State & Local Government, U.S. Constitution, U.S. Presidency, Research Methods - Work: Working knowledge and experience in Word, Excel, Minitab, and Statistical
Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) preferred
Psychology
Education
- Preferred: Ph.D.
- Minimum: Master’s Degree
Experience
- Teaching: Experience in application is often a good predictor
- Work: Experience in application is often a good predictor
- Special Requirements: (example: licenses, certificates, etc.) No, but can be
indication of background that helps with active learning.
Signature Series
Education
- Preferred: Ph.D. in philosophy, political science, economics, sociology, history,
public administration, American studies, or literature and classical studies - Minimum: Master of Arts degree in above fields, plus think tank and related
research, government or political service, or significant reports or research in the special
requirements areas; or very special qualifications in one of these areas or special
requirements fields.
Experience
- Teaching: Preferred but not essential (see below).
- Work: High–level research on governmental, policy or political matters;
substantial published material in the special requirements areas; executive, legislative or
judicial policy experience in government; or political journalism may substitute for teaching
experience. - Special Requirements: (example: licenses, certificates, etc.) At least four
completed graduate or upper–level undergraduate courses in any of the following areas:
political, social, economic, intellectual or cultural philosophy; American government and
politics; comparative government; American or European history or studies; economic history
or theory; or political sociology; or through demonstrated high competency (such as through
published material) in one or more of these areas. - Other: If literature is used to fulfill the Ph.D. major requirement, at least three
graduate courses in substantive, chronological periods must be included in the major
requirements.
Sociology
Education
- Preferred: Ph.D.
- Minimum: Master of Arts Degree
Experience
- Teaching: Two-three years college level
- Work: Research, Human Services
Women’s Studies
Education
- Preferred: Ph.D. in Women’s Studies or related area (depending on course to be taught)
- Minimum: Master’s degree in Women’s Studies or related area
Experience
- Teaching: Minimum of two years teaching college level Women’s Studies or related
courses. Comfortable teaching interdisciplinary courses. - Work: If person doesn’t have minimum teaching requirements, two years work
experience in agencies dealing with women or gender issues. - Other: Person should be comfortable dealing with all aspects of gender related
issues, as well as the multiple types of feminism.
Faculty Minimum Requirements for Business
Accounting
Education
- Preferred: Ph.D. or CPA
- Minimum: Master’s degree with a minimum of 24 hours of accounting above the
principles level (accounting credits can be earned at undergraduate level).
Experience
- Teaching: Preference will be given to applicants with teaching experience.
- Work: Accounting field
- Other: Interest in teaching online a plus.
Business Administration Business Policy and Strategy, Finance, Human Resource Management, Management, Marketing, Production and Operations Management, Quantitative Analysis
Education
- Preferred: Ph.D. in specialty area
- Minimum: MBA or Master’s degree in specialty area.
Experience
- Teaching: Preference will be given to applicants with teaching experience.
- Work: Related field
- Other: Interest in teaching online a plus.
Business Administration – Law
Education
- Preferred: J.D. with specialization in the related field
- Minimum: J.D.
Experience
- Teaching: Preference will be given to applicants with teaching experience.
- Work: Law field
- Other: Interest in teaching online a plus.
Master’s of Arts in Management – Finance, Human Resource Management, Marketing, Organizational Behavior, Quantitative Analysis, Strategic Management
Education
- Preferred: Ph.D. in specialty area
- Minimum: MBA or Master’s degree in specialty area.
Experience
- Teaching: Preference will be given to applicants with teaching experience.
- Work: Related field
- Other: Interest in teaching online a plus.
Master’s of Business Administration – Accounting
Education
- Preferred: Ph.D. or CPA
- Minimum: Master’s degree with CPA or CMA and at least 24 hours in accounting above the
principles level.
Experience
- Teaching: Preference will be given to applicants with teaching experience.
- Work: Accounting field
- Other: Interest in teaching online a plus.
Master’s of Business Administration, Finance, Human Resource Management, Marketing, Organizational
Behavior and Management, Organization, Theory and Management, Production and Operations Management,
Quantitative Analysis, Strategic Management
Education
- Preferred: Ph.D. in specialty area
- Minimum: MBA or Master’s degree in specialty area.
Experience
- Teaching: Preference will be given to applicants with teaching experience.
- Work: Related field
- Other: Interest in teaching online a plus.
Master’s of Business Administration – Law
Education
- Preferred: J.D. with specialization in the related field
- Minimum: J.D.
Experience
- Teaching: Preference will be given to applicants with teaching experience.
- Work: Law field
- Other: Interest in teaching online a plus.
Faculty Minimum Requirements for Science & Technology
Computer Information Systems
Education
- Preferred: Ph.D.
- Minimum: Masters Degree in a computer field
Experience
- Teaching: Preference will be given to applicants with teaching experience.
- Work: PC related work in a computer specific position such as programming,
database, or networking. Experience managing large systems or large technical groups a
plus. - Special Requirements: (e.g. licenses, certificates, etc.)
If applying for networking: must have Microsoft Windows 2000/2003 networking certification.
If applying for Java programming: must have Sun Certified Java Programmer certification (SCJP2 or higher). - Other: Mainframe experience, while not useful by itself, is a plus if combined with current PC
and web technologies. Must be willing to teach in an online environment.
Master’s of Computer Information Systems
Education
- Preferred: Ph.D.
- Minimum: Masters Degree in a computer field
Experience
- Teaching: Preference will be given to applicants with teaching experience.
- Work: PC related work in a computer specific position such as programming,
database, or networking. Experience managing large systems or large technical groups a plus. - Special Requirements: (e.g. licenses, certificates, etc.)
If applying for networking: must have Microsoft Windows 2000/2003 networking certification.
If applying for Java programming: must have Sun Certified Java Programmer certification (SCJP2 or higher). - Other: Mainframe experience, while not useful by itself, is a plus if combined with current PC and web
technologies. Must be willing to teach in an online environment.
Master’s of Management Information Systems
Education
- Preferred: Ph.D.
- Minimum: Masters Degree in a computer field
Experience
- Teaching: Preference will be given to applicants with teaching experience.
- Work: PC related work in a computer specific position such as programming,
database, or networking. Experience managing large systems or large technical groups a
plus. - Special Requirements: (e.g. licenses, certificates, etc.)
If applying for networking: must have Microsoft Windows 2000/2003 networking certification.
If applying for Java programming: must have Sun Certified Java Programmer certification (SCJP2 or higher). - Other: Mainframe experience, while not useful by itself, is a plus if combined with current PC and web technologies. Must be willing to teach in an online environment.