Would someone please tell me how a PhD in polymer science & a couple of years doing industrial chemistry qualifies a person to teach finance?

I'm especially curious how a PhD from USM qualifies anybody to teach at USM. Long-time readers know my position on this. I was once told that USM didn't hire its own graduates & now it's not only hiring its own graduates but it's letting them teach disciplines in which they have minimal, if any, formal academic training! (Please, folks -- my situation is far, far better because I couldn't work at USM than it would've been otherwise. My criticism is purely "academic.")

As 2004 stumbles to a close, I'm so freakin' proud to be a graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi I almost can't stand to stand next to myself. I sure hope 2005 bodes better for the university.

2005 will be "interesting" without a doubt.

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Originally posted by: Invictus
"Would someone please tell me how a PhD in polymer science & a couple of years doing industrial chemistry qualifies a person to teach finance?

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Perhaps someone should evaluate the credentails of the ED faculty with respect to SACS.  Seems to me that we might have another problem brewing here.  Clearly most of the faculty is not qualified according to AACSB.  If the same is true for the SACS standards the university could be in deep trouble.

quote:

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Originally posted by: Concerned
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Perhaps someone should evaluate the credentails of the ED faculty with respect to SACS.  Seems to me that we might have another problem brewing here.  Clearly most of the faculty is not qualified according to AACSB.  If the same is true for the SACS standards the university could be in deep trouble."

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Here's the "holy writ." From the "old" Criteria for Accreditation (1998 edition):

4.8.2.3 Graduate (Faculty)
"Institutions offering either master's or specialist degrees must demonstrate a high level of faculty competence in teaching and scholarship. Institutions offering doctoral degrees must demonstrate the research capability of faculty members teaching in these programs. Eligibility requirements for faculty members teaching graduate courses must be clearly defined and publicized.

... Each faculty member teaching courses at the master's and specialist degree level must hold the terminal degree, usually the earned doctorate, in the teaching discipline or a related discipline. In some instances, the master's degree in the discipline may be considered the terminal degree, such as the M.F.A., the M.S.W., and the M.L.S.; in others, a master's degree in the discipline coupled with a doctoral degree in a related discipline is considered appropriate. It is the responsibility of the institution to justify the master's degree, or master's in the teaching discipline coupled with a related doctorate, as the terminal degree for faculty members teaching in those disciplines. All faculty members teaching courses at the doctoral degree level must hold the earned doctorate in the teaching discipline or a related discipline.

The Commission recognizes that in unusual cases institutions may appropriately include as graduate faculty members those who have demonstrated exceptional scholarly or creative activity, or professional experience, but who may not possess the required academic credentials. There also may be an occasion when a new graduate discipline is in its formative stage in higher education and there are no faculty members available with academic credentials in the discipline. In either case, when an institution presents evidence of competence or academic credentials other than the doctorate in the discipline for its graduate faculty, it must justify the employment of such faculty."

Of course, the old Criteria have been superceded by a "less prescriptive" system, the Principles of Accreditation. Here's the relevant slice from "Section III: Comprehensive Standards - Faculty (20)":

"When determining acceptable qualifications of its faculty, an institution gives primary consideration to a faculty member's highest earned degree in the discipline in accord with the guidelines listed below. The institution also considers competence, effectiveness, and capacity, including, as appropriate, undergraduate and graduate degrees, related work experiences in the field, professional licensure and certifications, honors and awards, continuous documented excellence in teaching, or other demonstrated competencies and achievements that contribute to effective teaching and student learning outcomes. For all cases, the institution is responsible for justifying and documenting the qualifications of all its faculty.

... d. Faculty teaching baccalaureate degree coureses: a doctoral or a master's degree in the teaching discipline or a master's degree with a concentration in the teaching discipline (minimum of 18 graduate semester hours in the teaching discipline). At least 25 percent of the discipline course hours in each undergraduate major are taught by faculty members holding the terminal degree -- usually the earned doctorate -- in the discipline.

e. Faculty teaching graduate and post-graduate course work: earned doctorate/terminal degree in the teaching discipline or a related discipline.

OK. The questions now seem to me to be:

1. Is polymer science a "related discipline" to economic development?
2. Do a few years working as a mid-level manager for a chemical company constitute sufficient "related work experiences in the field" to justify appointment to the graduate faculty in a non-related discipline?
3. How many person-hours are going to be burned during the SACS follow-up simply "justifying" certain of the faculty appointments in ED?

I predict that USM will try to advance the idea that its "all new, one of a kind" economic development program falls under the umbrella of "a new graduate discipline is in its formative stage in higher education (with) no faculty members available with academic credentials in the discipline" & how SACS views that argument is going to depend on how astute the reviewers happen to be. It is imperative that every time a media outlet parrots the "only program of its kind" party line, there is an immediate rebuttal.

If someone had BIG political aspirations, wouldn't it be helpful to seed state agencies with influential individuals beholden to you?

Thanks to all the people who are doing such good investigative work.  Focusing on specifics is far more important right now and we probably don't want to get sidetracked chasing down ghosts but keep that little tickle in the back of your minds.

You know, MF, you are correct, but I'd certainly become suspect of the practice if the institution was a Tier 4 (and dropping).

In fact, as a potential doctoral student (all over with a long time ago in my REAL life), I'd be a pretty weak potential for one if I decided to come here at the present time.

I started this and asked the original question sincerely.  Your answer was not what I expected but I appreciate that you answered - no offense was intended MF.

The pet program now has a special focus-type link from the USM home page http://www.usm.edu/index.php. Someone will want to take a screen shot of the site before they catch the fact that Richard Hadden is listed as a Ph.D. instead of a M.D. and as Professor, Department of Economic Development.

My doctorate was chaired by a wonderful assistant professor at a university a couple of states over who is now a full professor at the University of Georgia. I'm thrilled he was given the opportunity to try on his wings before he was ready to go into full flight. He would never have had that opportunity at USM. 

Did I miss it or is the infamous questionnaire missing from the new webpage?  Another question, why is it that other programs don't get their own main page highlighted link at USM...somebody's playing favorites...or trying to save face.