Can a staff run an academic program just by experience and no degree?
It's pretty given that you need some sort of teaching crediential usually a BA of some sort but I know of a private school where they are hiring medical assistant instructors with no AA degree
Many Trades related professions do not have College like degree programs associated with them. Automotive and Mototcycle technician come quickly to mind. It make no sence to require a motorcycle technician instructor to have a Bachelors degree. Rather, they should be required to have proven years of experience in there teaching field, or a recognise certification from an independent 3rd party like ASE Certifications for Automotive Technicians.
I think instructors should have the degree above what they are teaching
According to the regulations you need to have at least one credential higher than the minimum to teach a course. I would say from personal experience, regardless that all faculty need degrees in their field.
Although some of the best instructors may be the ones that does not have some type of degree other than a certificate, should consider going back to school to obtain one. I think that it is really important to have some type of degree to to run an academic program, this is how respected is gain from our staff and most importantly our students. Let us also not forget that most accreditation requires that, enable for staff to run an academic program they need to at leat hold a bachelor degree.
I beleive in order for the instructor to relate to what he or she is teaching,it is important to have first handly expierenced it!
It will enable the instructor to understand not only the subject matter, but other important things such as how much time it takes to read, and do the assignments, as well as being able to provide better feedback.
I also think if the students are aware they instructor had to go through the same accountablities, it might place more faith in the instructor.
No, students are enrolled at any school to higher their education. Therefore, instructors as the managers and role models of the class must be qualified academically. An instructor teaching without out a degree would be like a doctor practicing without a license. Would you let a doctor pratice medicine on you without a license and education to do so? No, the qualificaiton is his or her license to practice medicine. Similarly our license, so to speak, to teach is our degree. This is our qualifier.
I really agree with the degree PLUS experience. Too often an individual will have a degree and has not gotten adequate experience outside in the "real world". I would prefer a person have a degree. However, if I had to choose either a degree or a considerable amount of experience, I would opt for good experience.
I came from a University setting where this is true. In my BSRT program, we all had to have a Masters degree (the old rule that you must have one degree higher than the "terminal" degree that your institution is offering. However, when you look at Career Schools that offer only certificate programs, there is often no AAS that is obtainable in that profession, so qualified instructors with work-experiance will often be tthe choice.
I strongly believe that in order to properly "educate" students, the staff, meaning those who are teaching and those who supervise the teaching need to have a measurable tool their competance. This measurable tool has to be a degree of higher learning. To teach a clinical subject, there must be some evidence of you having attained a degree and specialized training.
It would be best to have a degree, especially in today's competitive market.
A degree coupled with years of experience is the idea instructor for a student. An higher degree in the field of expertise indicates professional growth. This is an example for the student to strive to achieve.
I do think that instructor should have a degree above the degree their teaching
Lisa, I agree with you. I think that the instructor needs to have attended a college program and completed that program so that he/she has first hand knowledge of what the students are experiencing. Leading by example, as long as it's positive, is always the best avenue.
Just because you have a degree does not mean your teaching skills are on the same level as the degree you hold. As seen with previous instructors, degrees are not necessarily the end all be all of teaching unless the instition requires it.
In my field, a degree at least AS is required for VN and experience.
I agree, however having that "degree" often allows you to further establish the boundries of instructor/student. It allows you the instructor to become a positive role-model by showing your academic excellence to your students, giving them a "if I can do it, so can you" attitude.
I think education/degree is necessary to teach. However, I know a lot of individuals that are "book smart" but cannot critically think or perform in a clinical setting. I believe a combination of both education and experience is essential for an instructor. This allows a well rounded education for the student. I would want to know as a student that my instructors cannot only "talk the talk", but "walk the walk."
I completely agree. A degreed instructor will have a broader professional and educational background and far more experiences than one with just practical experience alone. The instructor will also likely be a better role model, better spoken, and far more knowledgable in a variety of topics than his/her experience-only counterpart. The degree will also command greater respect from the students.
I don't think that staff can run academic programs just by experience. I think that they need at least bachelor degrees in the fields that they would teach in.
