What is the Equivalency Determination Process?
The equivalency determination process is used to consider qualified candidates when titles of degrees are different from the required degrees listed in the Disciplines List for that position.
The equivalency screening committee consists of at least three faculty members and the discipline's area dean. The committee is responsible for determining equivalency according to the Minimum Quantification for Faculty and Administrators in California Community Colleges Handbook and the ASCCC Equivalency Handbook.
Applicants whose degree titles do not match exactly the degree(s) listed in the job posting and request an equivalency will be reviewed by the screening committee for determination of equivalency. If granted equivalency the applicant will remain in the applicant pool. If equivalency is not granted the applicant will be notified via email.
Being granted equivalency does not guarantee you an interview.
When and How to Apply for Equivalency
When you apply for a faculty position, you will be asked the following supplemental question:
- Please indicate how you meet the educational minimum qualifications for this position by selecting the option that best describes your qualifications.
Your response to the question will determine if you should apply for equivalency.
If your degree title does not match any of the discipline titles listed in the minimum requirement section of the job posting and if you have not already been granted equivalency for the discipline by Los Rios, then select the following option as your answer:
- My degree title does not match the discipline titles listed in the Minimum Qualifications section of the job posting, but I possess an equivalent degree and am requesting an equivalency review. (Upload your equivalency review request form and appropriate unofficial transcripts from an accredited college/university and/or foreign transcript evaluations from an accepted evaluation agency.)
Be sure to attach a Equivalency Determination Request Form.
If you accidentally selected another answer and you realize that your degree(s) are not exactly those listed in the minimum qualifications section of the posting, you can still attach the Equivalency Determination Request Form to your application and it will be forwarded to the committee for review.
If your degree(s) are not exactly those listed in the minimum qualifications section of the posting and you do not attach the Equivalency Determination Request Form to your application, your application will not be forwarded to the committee for review.
You can only apply for an equivalency determination when you submit an application for an open position.
If you have already been granted equivalency and have an Equivalency Form P-38 or an Equivalency Approval Letter, then select the following option as your answer:
- I have previously been granted equivalency by the Los Rios Community College District to teach one of the disciplines listed in the Minimum Qualifications section of the job posting. (Upload the Equivalency Determination Form P-38 or Equivalency Determination Letter and appropriate unofficial transcripts from an accredited college/university and/or foreign transcript evaluations from an accepted evaluation agency.)
Your equivalency approval is valid at all Los Rios colleges. You must attach your equivalency determination form P-38 or letter whether you are a current employee or not.
Current or past Los Rios employees can get a copy of their equivalency determination form or letter by contacting Human Resources. Please allow up to two business days to get your requested form/letter.
- Full-time faculty: hr-ftfaculty@losrios.edu
- Adjunct faculty: hr-ptfaculty@losrios.edu
Notification of Equivalency
You will be notified via email whether you are granted or denied equivalency. If you are granted equivalency your application will remain in the pool and you will receive a copy of the equivalency determination form/letter for your use for future applications. If you are not granted equivalency you will not move forward in the pool.
Being granted equivalency does not guarantee you an interview.
Guidelines to Determine Equivalency
For disciplines that require a master's degree, the following will be considered equivalent:
- A master's degree in any discipline, plus course work equivalent to a graduate major in the discipline of the assignment. (30 semester units of graduate and upper division units, of which 15 units must be graduate.)
- A bachelor's degree in the discipline of the assignment, plus additional post-baccalaureate course work equivalent to a graduate major in the discipline of the assignment. (30 units of upper division and graduate units, of which at least 15 units must be graduate.)
- For the performing arts: a bachelor's degree in the discipline plus advanced degree from an institution specific to that art, or four years of professional experience in the discipline.
- A bachelor's degree in the discipline, plus licensure by an appropriate state agency, plus at least two years of professional experience unless specifically precluded by the adopted list of disciplines.
- Recognized accomplishments which demonstrate expertise and skill in the field of study beyond that normally achieved through formal education (equivalent to the eminence credential.)
For disciplines that do not require a master's degree, the following will be considered equivalent:
- A bachelor's degree in a discipline reasonably related to the discipline of the assignment, plus two years of full-time teaching experience in the discipline of the assignment at an accredited institution, plus appropriate certification to practice or licensure, if available.
- A bachelor's degree in any discipline, plus course work equivalent to a major in the discipline of the assignment, plus two years of occupational experience related to the discipline of the assignment or two years of teaching experience in the discipline of the assignment, plus appropriate certification to practice or licensure, if available.*
- An associate degree containing at least 60 units in any discipline, plus graduation from an institution specific to that field, plus two years of professional experience in the discipline, plus appropriate certification to practice or licensure, if available.*
- A completed associate degree containing at least 60 units in any discipline, plus course work equivalent to a major in the discipline of the assignment, plus six years of occupational experience related to the discipline of the assignment or six years of full-time teaching experience in the discipline of the assignment, plus appropriate certification to practice or licensure or its equivalent, if available.*
- Recognized accomplishments which demonstrate experience and skill in the field of study beyond that normally achieved through formal education (equivalent to the eminence credential).
* Teaching and occupational experience may be combined to total the required number of years; all experience must have taken place within ten years preceding the date of application with at least one year of qualified experience occurring within the three years immediately preceding the date of application.