Certification Guideline 23

SUBJECT
Degree - Baccalaureate Equivalency for Occupational Instructors

GUIDELINE DEFINITION
Baccalaureate degree equivalency is defined by the code as: (1) employment as an apprentice or journeyman, or both, in the skilled trades for a total of 7 years, or (2) occupational experience, combined with education and training to prepare a person for the occupation which totals 7 years or 14,000 hours. Two thousand hours of valid verified occupational experience shall equal one year of occupational experience.

Credits provided by a degree granting educational institution are multiplied by 110 to determine the number of equivalent occupational experience hours.

14,000 hours (7 years) ÷ 128 credits
(Baccalaureate Degree) = 110 hours

Education provided by a non-degree granting educational institution will be considered when the hours of instruction can be documented. Forty hours of such instruction shall equal one credit. Each credit is then multiplied by 110 to determine the number of equivalent occupational experience hours.

The two years of occupational experience used for the baccalaureate degree equivalence will also satisfy the requirement for two years of occupational experience.

EXAMPLE
Jerry is being hired as a welding instructor. Jerry has a transcript showing completion of a one-year vocational diploma program in welding for 32 credits. He also has 83 hours of vendor training from a manufacturer of welding equipment and 10,252 hours of occupational experience as a welder. As a result, Jerry has 14,000.25 hours of occupational experience for the baccalaureate degree equivalence and can receive certification.

32 credits x 110 hours/credit	=	3,520.00 hours
83 hours ÷ 40 hours/credit = 2.075 credits x 110 hours/credit	=	228.25 hours
occupational experience	=	10,252.00 hours
TOTAL	=	14,000.25 hours

RATIONALE
A baccalaureate degree equivalence can be met through a combination of appropriate occupational experience, informal vendor training, formal education and education provided by a non-degree granting educational institutional equating to 14,000 hours.

Implemented: January 7, 1994
Last Reviewed/Revised: May 2002

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