McPherson College is committed to offering students effective teaching, measurable learning, and academic programs of demonstrated quality. Delivering excellent academic programs requires qualified faculty, that is, faculty with the “ability to understand and convey the essentials of a specific discipline in a collegiate environment…, to engage professionally with colleagues regarding the learning objectives for program graduates …, [and to] possess and demonstrate the full scope of knowledge, skills and dispositions appropriate to the credential awarded” (The Higher Learning Commission, “Determining Qualified Faculty through HLC’s Criteria for Accreditation and Assumed Practices” [March 2016], p. 2). Such qualifications are primarily met by academic credentials but, under certain circumstances, equivalent credentials, such as tested experience in the field of instruction or professional certifications or licenses, can also qualify faculty to fulfill the responsibilities identified by HLC.