Palomar College – Equivalency Web page

What is Equivalency?

Applicants for both part-time and full-time faculty and educational administrator positions at California Community Colleges are require to meet minimum qualifications, which are described in the job posting. These minimum qualifications are set by the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office, and can be found in the Minimum Qualifications for Faculty and Administrators in California Community Colleges handbook. This is different than faculty positions at other California higher education institutions (i.e. the University of California and California State systems), which do not have minimum qualifications. The requirement that faculty in California Community Colleges meet minimum qualifications is specified in California Education Code (§87359) and California Code of Regulations Title 5 (§53430).

How do I know if I need to apply for Equivalency?

When an applicant submits materials to apply for a faculty position, Human Resources Services will evaluate their application materials. If an applicant does not strictly meet the Minimum Qualifications for Faculty and Administrators in California Community Colleges for the discipline of interest, they may still apply to the position via the equivalency process. Equivalency requires that applicants demonstrate that they have a combination of education and experience that would be equivalent to the minimum qualifications, allowing them to teach any class within the discipline.

The Equivalency process is different at each community college. The academic senate has purview over the process and granting of equivalency for faculty qualifications. Each district follows this process, and the academic senate determines if your qualifications are equivalent in accordance with California Education Code §87359 and §87360. At Palomar College, applicants who wish to apply to a position via equivalency need to complete the Application for Equivalency and provide supporting documentation (see How to Apply for Equivalency). We recommend that any applicant who is unsure of whether they possess the minimum qualifications submit this form.

What happens once I apply for Equivalency?

Human Resource Services will send application materials, including a completed Application for Equivalency, supporting materials (e.g. transcripts, publications, etc.), and chair letter (optional) to the Equivalency Committee. The Equivalency Committee is charged by the Palomar College Faculty Senate to review Applications for Equivalency to determine if the applicant meets minimum qualifications, as set out in the Minimum Qualifications for Faculty and Administrators in California Community Colleges handbook. The Equivalency Committee consists of five full-time faculty members.

The Equivalency committee will review the provided materials, and using the criteria listed below, the committee will come to one of the following decisions:

• Application is approved (decision must be unanimous) – applicant has education and experience equivalent to the minimum qualifications
• Application is disapproved (decision must be unanimous) – applicant does not have education and experience equivalent to the minimum qualifications
• Equivalency committee requires more information – additional information can only be requested for part-time faculty

Approval or disapproval decisions are sent to Human Resources in an Equivalency Outcomes Form. Requests for more information (for part-time faculty only) will be sent to the candidate via Human Resources.

How is Equivalency different for applicants to full-time and part-time faculty positions?

The Equivalency procedure is different for applicants to full-time and part-time positions. Applicants for full-time faculty positions only have one chance to apply for the open position and must submit their application for equivalency form and related materials at that time. Any applicants who are denied equivalency will automatically be removed from the pool of applicants.

Applicants for part-time faculty positions only go through the equivalency process if selected to be hired, and they have more flexibility, as the Equivalency committee can request additional information, or the applicant can reapply for equivalency with an updated or revised Application for Equivalency.

How to Apply for Equivalency

The information requested below is required of all applicants not holding the stated minimum qualifications who are seeking consideration based on equivalency. Please refer to the job posting for the minimum qualifications of the position for which you are applying.

To apply under an equivalency, an applicant must download and complete an application for equivalency and provide supporting documentation. This includes the following:

1. A narrative synopsis (not to exceed one page) of your education and experience that illustrates possession of qualifications that are at least equivalent to the stated minimum qualifications.
2. A list of accredited degrees and coursework in support of your equivalency request.
3. Workshops, seminars or other trainings in support of your equivalency request.
4. Work experience in support of your equivalency request.
5. Tangible evidence necessary to support your request, including:

1. Official or unofficial transcripts showing that degrees and/or coursework were successfully completed at an accredited college or institution. Degrees that are completed outside the U.S. are required to have transcripts evaluated (evaluation to U.S. equivalency and a course-by-course analysis) by an appropriate U.S. credentials evaluations agency. For a list of credentials evaluation agencies accepted by Palomar College, visit the National Association of Credentials Evaluation Services (NACES) or the Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. (AICE). Palomar College does not endorse or recommend any particular agency. Please note that credentials evaluation agencies charge a fee for their services and that we are unable to reimburse for these fees. Human Resource Services will accept unofficial copies of transcript evaluations until the date of hire.
2. Certifications or licenses appropriate for the specific discipline.
3. Publications that show either a command of the discipline in question or candidate’s writing skills.
4. A written statement or portfolio of substantial artistic experience and/or accomplishments equivalent to the degree (e.g. performances, shows, exhibitions, compositions, or books).
5. Documentation, such as letters supporting work experience from a supervisor including length and level of service from employer.

Department chairs responsible for the position may also submit a letter in support of the applicant’s equivalency application.

The completed Equivalency application and all supporting materials should be submitted to HR and will be reviewed by the Equivalency Committee.

Guidelines used by Equivalency Committee to Determine Equivalency

The following guidelines are used by the Equivalency Committee to determine equivalency:

• Formal education equivalent to the degree
  1. If a master’s degree in the discipline is required for the position, the following education and experience may be considered equivalent:
     1. A master’s degree in any discipline and 24 units of course work in the discipline of the position, a substantial number of which must be graduate or upper division units.
     2. A master’s degree in any discipline plus two years professional experience related to the discipline of the position, or two years of successful higher education teaching experience in the discipline of the position.
     3. When the applicant is enrolled in a Ph.D. program that does not award a master’s degree, completion of the coursework equivalent to a master’s degree in the discipline or a related discipline, including at least 30 graduate semester units.
     4. A bachelor’s degree the discipline or a related discipline, plus six years of professional experience related to the discipline of the position or six years of higher education teaching experience in the discipline of the position.
     5. In rare cases where the candidate does not hold any degree, recognized accomplishments which demonstrate expertise and skill in the field of study beyond that normally achieved through formal education. Candidate must provide conclusive evidence of attaining course work or experience equal to the components of the required degree, including the general education component. In no case will recognized accomplishments be the sole criterion for granting equivalency. (See Administrative Procedures 7211).
  2. If a specific bachelor’s degree is required for the position, the following education and experience may be considered equivalent:
     1. The successful completion of course work equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in any discipline (at least 120 semester units), including courses usual to a general education component and 40 units in the discipline of the position, at least 30 of which are upper division or graduate.
     2. The successful completion of course work equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in any discipline (at least 120 semester units), including courses usual to a general education component, and two years of teaching or occupational experience in the discipline of the position, plus appropriate certification to practice or licensure or its equivalent if required.
     3. The successful completion of course work equivalent to an associate’s degree in any discipline (including general education requirements), plus six years of occupational or teaching experience in the discipline of the position, and appropriate certification to practice or licensure or its equivalent if required.
  3. If a specific associate’s degree is required for the position, the following education and experience may be considered equivalent:
     1. At least 60 approved units, including general education, as defined in the following guides published by the American Council on Education:
        • The Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experience in the Armed Services
        • The National Guide to Educational Credit for Training Programs

• Non-Formal Education Equivalencies to the Degree
  1. Substantial work experience equivalent to the degree, e.g., in computers, engineering, or journalism
  2. Substantial academic experience and/or accomplishment equivalent to the degree, e.g., teaching at the upper division or graduate level, scholarly publications
  3. Substantial artistic experience and/or accomplishments equivalent to the degree, e.g., performances, shows, exhibitions, compositions, or books
• Equivalencies to required experience could include appropriate collegiate education or other training programs that indicate a mastery of the skills of the discipline and knowledge of the working environment of the discipline

Advice On Applications for Equivalency

Some suggestions for applicants that are applying for Equivalency

• Applying to a job posting via equivalency does not have any bearing on the outcome of the position. If your application is approved (i.e. you have education and experience equivalent to the minimum qualifications), your application will be reviewed by the hiring committee.
• Be thorough and complete when filling out the Application for Equivalency. This includes filling out all sections and including supporting materials.
• Refer to the minimum qualifications listed in the job posting and clearly address how you believe your education and experience meet these qualifications in your Application for Equivalency.
• Be specific regarding education that relates to the minimum qualifications. Coursework should include the institution, course title, units, and level of coursework. For especially relevant coursework that has non-specific titles (e.g. general biology, history), provide additional details in your narrative. Transcripts and copies of course descriptions should be attached.
• For graduate coursework that has non-specific titles (e.g. Ph.D. thesis, or graduate research), provide additional information about the subject of study in your narrative. This could include titles of chapters, abstracts, or papers completed as part of this coursework.
• Include all relevant professional/work experience (teaching and non-teaching) that should be considered to determine equivalency. Please give a detailed description of the duties performed, and whether the position was full-time and paid. If the position was not full-time or not paid, a statement must explain the amount of time as it would equate to full time and why the work was not paid.
• Be sure to include any other relevant accomplishments that should be considered to determine equivalency. This could include, but would not be limited to, research, publications, seminars, professional performance/exhibitions, honors/awards, etc.