CAP Instructor Credentialing Requirements By Course
High school teachers who wish to pursue approval to offer a University of Southern Indiana course through the College Achievement Program (CAP) "should possess an academic degree relevant to what they are teaching and at least one level above the level at which they teach, except when equivalent experience* is established. Instructors teaching general education courses, or courses that transfer, typically hold a master's degree or higher in the discipline or subfield. If a teacher holds a master's degree or higher in the discipline or subfield other than that in which he or she is teaching, that faculty member should have completed a minimum of 18 graduate credit hours in the discipline or subfield in which they teach."
-From the Faculty Guidelines of the Higher Learning Commission, a commission of the North Central Association, and the regional accreditor of the University of Southern Indiana
*In some instances, departments may allow an instructor with a master's degree without graduate hours in the content area to meet hiring requirements through USI's Tested Experience Policy. This policy is used infrequently but allows departments to approve candidates with professional experience outside of the classroom, in lieu of graduate hours in the content area. Department chairs and deans must document and approve all cases of tested experience.
To assist potential and current CAP instructors in attaining the necessary graduate hours in the content area, USI offers the CAP Graduate Fee Waiver.
STEM teachers within an Indiana public school also have the opportunity to participate in New Experiences for Instructors of Dual Enrollment (NExIDE). Through this grant, dual credit instructors may take USI graduate courses for no cost; additional funds may be provided for a professional development event. Interested teachers must submit an application to Dr. Rick Hudson, NExIDE Project Director, Associate Professor & Chair of Mathematics. Contact Dr. Hudson for more information and application materials (rhudson@usi.edu).
CAP Instructor Credentialing Requirements By Course
An overview of the instructor application process is provided here. Each candidate's completed graduate coursework is reviewed and approved by the department chair and dean. Course content must not significantly overlap. In other words, only one graduate course in organic chemistry will apply toward the 18 hours. In rare instances, candidates may be asked to provide a course syllabus to aid the chair in making a determination about the content of the graduate course. Pedagogical courses in the discipline are not guaranteed to count toward the 18 hours. Instructors planning to take graduate coursework should first seek confirmation that the hours will count from the CAP Office and the relevant department chair.
|
USI Course Name |
USI Course Title |
# Credit Hrs |
CTL Name |
Instructor Requirements |
Graduate Hours Available at USI? |
|
Biology (BIOL) 105 |
4 |
Human Biology |
A completed master's degree, either in the discipline or in another area with 18 graduate hours in the discipline. |
Not at this time |
|
|
Biology (BIOL) 251 |
3 |
-- |
A completed master's degree, either in the discipline or in another area with 18 graduate hours in the discipline. |
Not at this time |
|
|
Chemistry (CHEM) 142 |
4 |
Chemistry, Elementary General w/ Lab |
A completed master's degree, either in the discipline or in another area with 18 graduate hours in the discipline. |
Occasionally |
|
|
Chemistry (CHEM) 143 |
4 |
Organic & Biochemistry w/ Lab |
A completed master's degree, either in the discipline or in another area with 18 graduate hours in the discipline. |
Occasionally |
|
|
Communication Studies (CMST) 101 |
3 |
Fundamentals of Public Speaking |
A completed master's degree, either in the discipline or in another area with 18 graduate hours in the discipline. *A common textbook is required. |
Yes; part of USI's Master's in Communication |
|
|
Economics (ECON) 175 |
3 |
Introduction to Economics |
A completed master's degree, either in the discipline or in another area with 18 graduate hours in the discipline. |
Not at this time |
|
|
English (ENG) 101 |
3 |
English Composition I |
A completed master's degree, preferably in English, or in another closely related area with 18 graduate hours in the discipline. Some graduate coursework must have composition emphasis. *A common textbook is required. Course must be offered in a one-semester format; no more than 20 students per section may be enrolled for USI credit. |
Yes; available through USI's Master's in English |
|
|
English (ENG) 105 |
3 |
Appreciation of Literature |
A completed master's degree, preferably in English, or in another closely related area with 18 graduate hours in the discipline. Some graduate coursework must have literature emphasis. *Course must be offered in a one-semester format; no more than 25 students per section may be enrolled for USI credit. Seniors only. |
Yes; available through USI's Master's in English |
|
|
French (FREN) 203, 204 |
3 hours per course |
French Level 3, 4 |
A completed master's degree, either in the discipline or in another area with 18 graduate hours in the discipline. A course in second language acquisition is required unless the candidate has a master's degree in education. Courses taken through USI’s Master of Arts in Second Language Acquisition, Policy & Culture are acceptable. Near-native fluency, time abroad, proven adherence to the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) standards also are evaluated. |
Yes; part of USI's Master's in Second Language Acquisition, Policy and Culture |
|
|
Geography (GEOG) 112 |
3 |
Earth Science |
Master’s degree in discipline or 18 graduate hours in content area is required. |
Not at this time |
|
|
German (GERM) 203, 204 |
3 hours per course |
German Level 3, 4 |
A completed master's degree, either in the discipline or in another area with 18 graduate hours in the discipline. A course in second language acquisition is required unless the candidate has a master's degree in education. Courses taken through USI’s Master of Arts in Second Language Acquisition, Policy & Culture are acceptable. Near-native fluency, time abroad, proven adherence to the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) standards also are evaluated. *A common textbook is required. |
Yes; part of USI's Master's in Second Language Acquisition, Policy and Culture |
|
|
Health Professions (HP) 115 |
2 |
Medical Terminology |
A bachelor's degree in a relevant area and a completed master's degree are required. Professional experience, including involvement in healthcare-related organizations, is evaluated. Must hold a CTE license. |
Not at this time |
|
|
Health Professions (HP) 211 |
3 |
-- |
A bachelor's degree in a relevant area and a completed master's degree are required. Professional experience, including involvement in healthcare-related organizations, is evaluated. Must hold a CTE license. |
Not at this time |
|
|
History (HIST) 101, 102 |
3 hours per course |
American History 1, 2 |
A completed master's degree, either in the discipline or in another area with 18 graduate hours in the discipline. |
Yes; many courses available within USI's Master's in Liberal Studies |
|
|
Journalism (JRN) 180 |
1 |
-- |
Candidates who have a master's degree must have it in the discipline or another area with 18 graduate hours in the discipline or a minimum of five years of journalism experience and a demonstrated ability to teach basic skills courses. Candidates who lack a master's degree must have a bachelor's degree in journalism and a minimum of five years of radio or television experience and a demonstrated ability to teach basic skills courses. |
Yes; part of USI's Master's in Communication |
|
|
Kinesiology (KIN) 281 |
3 |
-- |
A bachelor's degree in a relevant area and a completed master's degree are required. Professional experience and certifications, including involvement in healthcare-related organizations are evaluated. Must hold a CTE license. |
Not at this time |
|
|
Kinesiology (KIN) 282 |
2 |
First Aid |
A bachelor's degree in a relevant area and a completed master's degree are required. Professional experience and certifications, including involvement in healthcare-related organizations are evaluated. Must hold a CTE license. |
Not at this time |
|
|
Mathematics (MATH) 111 |
4 |
College Algebra |
A completed master's degree, either in the discipline or in another area with 18 graduate hours in the discipline. |
Yes |
|
|
Mathematics (MATH) 112 |
3 |
Trigonometric Functions |
A completed master's degree, either in the discipline or in another area with 18 graduate hours in the discipline. |
Yes |
|
|
Mathematics (MATH) 114 |
3 |
Quantitative Reasoning |
A completed master's degree, either in the discipline or in another area with 18 graduate hours in the discipline. |
Yes |
|
|
Physics (PHYS) 101 |
3 |
Survey of Physical Science |
A completed master's degree, either in the discipline or in another area with 18 graduate hours in the discipline. |
Not at this time |
|
|
Political Science (POLS) 102 |
3 |
American Government |
A completed master's degree, either in the discipline or in another area with 18 graduate hours in the discipline; experience in government/politics and resume also will be evaluated. |
Not at this time |
|
|
Psychology (PSY) 201 |
3 |
Introduction to Psychology |
A completed master's degree, either in the discipline or in another area with 18 graduate hours in the discipline. |
Not at this time |
|
|
Radio/Television (RTV) 150 |
1 |
-- |
Candidates who have a master's degree must have it in the discipline or another area with 18 graduate hours in the discipline or a minimum of five years of radio/television experience and a demonstrated ability to teach basic skills courses. Candidates who lack a master's degree must have a bachelor's degree in radio/television and a minimum of five years of radio or television experience and a demonstrated ability to teach basic skills courses. Must hold a CTE license. |
Yes; part of USI's Master's in Communication |
|
|
Social Work (SOCW) 224 |
3 |
-- |
A completed master's degree, either in the discipline or in another area with 18 graduate hours in the discipline; or the instructor must have a background demonstrating a dedication to social justice through ongoing professional development, research and scholarship, collaboration with external constituencies, and through other professionally relevant creative activities that support the achievement of the USI Social Work Program’s mission and goals. |
Yes |
|
|
Spanish (SPAN) 203, 204 |
3 per course |
Spanish Level 3, 4 |
A completed master's degree, either in the discipline or in another area with 18 graduate hours in the discipline. A course in second language acquisition is required unless the candidate has a master's degree in education. Courses taken through USI’s Master of Arts in Second Language Acquisition, Policy & Culture are acceptable. Near-native fluency, time abroad, proven adherence to the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) standards also are evaluated. |
Yes; part of USI's Master's in Second Language Acquisition, Policy and Culture |
Revised May 2024