Faculty resources must be adequate for a high quality program. With certain exceptions, the master's degree should be the minimum educational attainment for faculty at senior institutions. In most disciplines, the doctorate is the terminal degree. While there is no guarantee that doctoral faculty members provide the best instruction, it is accepted that the doctoral or terminal degree is a qualitative factor in assessing faculty strength. Indeed, tenure, promotion, and salary are in most cases directly dependent upon attaining the terminal degree. Criteria for numbers of terminal degree holders shall meet the minimums of the appropriate national, regional, or professional accrediting associations.

Source Note:The provisions of this §5.23 adopted to be effective January 1, 1976.