A National Assessment of Faculty Hiring Criteria and Procedures in Health Education Programs

Abstract

This study assessed current criteria and procedures used when hiring health education faculty. One hundred thirty-two program heads/coordinators of health education programs listed in the AAHE 2001 Directory of Institutions completed a mailed 45-item survey on hiring criteria and procedures. Results indicated that 90% of programs had conducted a search since 1995 with 71% hiring a faculty member. Twenty-nine percent were unable to complete their search due to lack of quality candidates, funding issues, or other reasons. Although 62% required interview candidates present research at the interview, only 36% required candidates to teach an actual class. The hiring criteria perceived as most important were desire to teach, health education doctorate, teamwork willingness, demonstrated teaching/presenting ability, and teaching experience. In addition, differences existed based on program type. Programs with graduate degrees had significantly greater numbers of tenure track positions and positions held by tenured faculty, individuals with doctoral/terminal degrees in health education, and individuals with CHES certification. Programs offering graduate degrees were significantly more likely to place emphasis on research experience, whereas programs offering only undergraduate degrees were more likely to place emphasis on teaching experience. Based on these findings, programs may wish to examine possible incongruities between their hiring criteria and actual interviewing procedures.