Degree Attainment Policy
TBR Policy Reference: 5:01:00:02
Approved by: President's Cabinet
Original Date Effective: 2020-11-02
Last Modified: 2023-11-20
Purpose:
The College supports employees continuing their education by granting a one-time monetary award to employees who earn a higher education degree after beginning employment with Jackson State Community College.
Definitions:
Associate and undergraduate degrees in any discipline are available for the one-time award. Graduate degrees are to be directly applicable to the duties of the position currently held by the employee and/or increase capacity for performing those duties.
If completing a degree is a condition of employment, employees are ineligible for additional compensation.
A monetary award will not be awarded when an employee earns a second degree at the same level, i.e., two Master’s Degrees or a lesser degree than the employee already held. Employees can only be compensated for one degree during their employment with Jackson State Community College. The determination of whether the degree qualifies will be made before the employee begins the pursuit of a degree rather than at degree completion so that both the College and the employee know whether a monetary award will be awarded.
Policy/Procedure:
To request a degree-related monetary award, the employee must secure the approval of his or her immediate supervisor and the appropriate vice president by completing a Degree Advancement Request form and submitting it for approval. The employee should complete this form before beginning the program of study. A new or current employee already engaged in a program of study must also complete this form to receive the monetary award.
Those employees who were engaged in a program of study not directly applicable to the duties of their position during the 2020/2021 Academic Year will be grandfathered in to receive a one-time award upon completion of that degree.
Employees will receive a monetary award for degrees conferred beginning July 1, 2020, as outlined in the policy and the chart below. (Compensation changes for degrees conferred before July 1, 2020, were awarded based on the prior compensation plan.)
One-time monetary award for degree attainment
Associate Degree $ 750
Bachelor’s Degree $1,000
Master’s Degree $ 1,250
Doctoral Degree $ 1,500
Upon achieving a change in educational status, the employee should notify his/her immediate supervisor, and the degree will be verified by the Office of Human Resources by submitting an official transcript. An official transcript is an original transcript issued to the Office of Human Resources or other designated party with the appropriate seal and/or signature of the school Registrar. Transcripts will not be accepted if they are duplicated, faxed, or marked “Unofficial” or “Issued to Student.”
Once a transcript is received, the Office of Human Resources will review it to see if the Degree Advancement Request Form has been approved. The monetary award may be denied if this form is not on file and approved. If the form is on file, the Office of Human Resources will complete an Extra Pay Authorization form and obtain the appropriate signatures. The award will generally be paid in the next monthly payroll after completing the required documentation successfully. This award will accrue applicable taxes and benefits, similar to longevity pay.
A degree must be earned through an institution accredited by one of the Regional Accrediting Organizations recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (www.chea.org).
Related Document
Degree Advancement Request Form
Sources