Instructor Qualifications | GCTC

Dual Credit

Instructor Qualifications

Two Main Points of Approval: 

  1. An interested instructor must apply and be approved to teach a Dual Credit Gateway course at an off-site location. This is done through the Departmental Dean.
  2. The off-site location must be approved and follow specific guidelines set forth by SACS

Application & Teaching Process for High School Faculty (To Teach Off-Site Dual Credit Gateway Courses)

Minimum Qualification Overview: 

To be approved to teach an off-site Gateway Dual Credit Course an Affiliate Instructor Must Have: 

General Education Courses (These classes will have Dual Credit students only) 

  1. Master’s degree in subject OR
  2. Master’s degree in another field with 18 graduate credit hours in the subject that supports the course objectives

Technical/CTE Courses 

  1. Degree, diploma, or professional certificate/licensure related to the subject and course objectives, AND
  2. 2+ years of fulltime, industry work experience related to the course objectives 
     

Application Steps: 

  1. The teacher works with Gateway’s Dual Credit Secondary Site Specialist (Michelle Bellman) to submit their materials via the appropriate Academic Division application link. These applications are approved by the Academic Dean in the subject. The application is submitted through Page Up.
  2. Submission requirements: Application, up to date resume, unofficial transcripts, and/or current industry related certification/license verifications.
  3. The Academic Dean/Assistant sends an approval or denial decision to the Early College Director/Site Specialist and applying teacher. 

 

After Acceptance – Next Steps (Required Before a Teacher Can Be Scheduled) 

Once a teacher is credential approved: 

  1. You will work with the Dual Credit Secondary Site Specialist (Michelle Bellman) to submit an Affiliate Request Form. The location you are teaching the Gateway course at must be an approved site.
  2. After approval, the teacher receives a Gateway affiliate account (email, Blackboard, PeopleSoft access) and can be officially assigned to their course(s).
  3. The teacher will be added to the Dual Credit Faculty Resource Hub (on Blackboard) and introduced to the Dual Credit & Gateway community.
     

Faculty Credential File (Must be Completed Before Teaching) 

In order to begin teaching, all affiliate dual credit instructors must have the following on file with Gateway's Office of the Provost: 

  1. Official transcripts
    • Must be sent directly from the issuing institution to Gateway Human Resources. Electronic or mailed copies. Teacher-submitted copies cannot be accepted.
  2. Updated resume
    • Resume should include Gateway affiliate instruction and be updated every 2 years
  3. Certification/Licensure verification (if applicable)
    • Must remain valid and be renewed before expiration 

NACEP Standards: Ensuring High‑Quality Dual Credit for All Courses – Partnering with Course Managers (Full-Time Gateway Faculty) and Being an Approved Site Requirements 

**To ensure all Gateway courses are taught to the same quality, each concurrent course offered off-site will be assigned a Course Manager through the Department Dean who will observe the course in-person once a year and who will supply updated syllabi and teaching materials to the affiliate. 

NACEP requires that dual credit courses match the quality of the same course taught on campus. OCIS partners and teachers must: 

  1. Use Gateway’s official course materials & syllabi
  2. Meet faculty qualification standards
  3. Participate in training and ongoing professional development and utilize the Blackboard
  4. Follow Gateway dual credit processes
  5. Align Grading and Assessments with Campus Sections and
  6. Support annual faculty liaison visits and email communications
  7. Provide student support and utilize Gateway resources
  8. Support end of term evaluations and program review

How Does My High School/Location Become an Approved Site?

**The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) is an institutional accreditor for quality assurance in higher education. SACSCOC accredits institutions that award associate, baccalaureate, master’s, or doctoral degrees, including those offered via distance and correspondence education, and direct assessment within these institutions. 

  • Gateway must follow SACSCOC rules for offering courses at any site not located on a Gateway campus. Your Early College Director/Site Specialist will confirm whether your site is already approved, or whether new approvals or notifications are required:
  • SACSCOC uses the percentage of a credential (degree, diploma or certificate) that students could complete at your location:
    • Up to 24% of a credential - No notification/approval required
    • 25-49% of a credential - Notification to SACSCOC required before offering courses at the site
    • 50% or more of a credential - Formal SACSCOC approval required
      • A site visit may be required
      • Due March 15 for fall
      • Due September 1 for spring
  • Gateway handles all submissions, but you must notify us early so deadlines are not missed.
  • Please communicate any changes made at the high school (a teacher change, class change, name change, address change, etc) ASAP to the Dual Credit Secondary Site Specialist (Michelle Bellman)