Every ten years, Mason’s accreditation with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) must be reaffirmed. We are now in the self-study phase of the reaffirmation and part of that self-study includes documenting and justifying the qualifications of all faculty and instructors of record. Compliance with this SACSCOC requirement is essential to a successful reaffirmation of accreditation.

In order to help ensure compliance with this standard, we have developed a Faculty Credentialing Manual. This manual, which can be accessed below, provides guidance and greater clarity to colleges/schools, departments, and local academic units (LAUs) regarding documenting and justifying the qualifications of our faculty members. In addition, the manual clarifies the responsibilities of all stakeholders in this process (faculty, departments/LAUs, colleges/schools, Office of the Provost). These responsibilities include:

• Ensuring that official transcripts are on file;
• Reviewing faculty qualifications based upon transcripts/degree discipline/course discipline matching;
• Ensuring (and documenting) that graduate instructors/teaching assistants receive appropriate training as specified by SACSCOC; and
• Providing justifications and documentation to the Office of the Provost when requested.

For more information on Faculty Credentialing at George Mason University, visit the Faculty Credentialing webpage.

If you have questions, please contact Nancy Dunham in the Office of Accreditation at ndunham1@gmu.edu