If the university has a need for a doctoral staff in a particular department, the university may provide support for doctoral studies for salaried staff members attending another fully accredited institution’s doctorate level program, not offered by Southern Adventist University. The total assistance may not exceed the equivalent cost of Southern’s tuition expenses for nine (9) credit hours per fiscal year (June 1- May 31).
Salaried staff who wish to have the university assist in paying for doctoral costs must, in consultation with the Vice President to whom the person reports, submit a written request to the President. Both the Administrative Council and The Board must vote on the doctoral study request. Requests for participation in this policy should be approved prior to beginning coursework. Staff members who earn a doctorate degree without prior university approval may not be reimbursed for the cost of their doctoral studies. This support may be in the form of full or partial payment for tuition and approved fees.
Salaried staff members shall continue performing their job duties while seeking their doctorate degree and may not enroll in more than six credit hours per semester (including summer semesters). This provision is not in addition to the tuition-waiver assistance benefit available to the staff member and may not be allotted or combined with a staff member’s request for a spouse’s tuition-waived class.
The total costs reimbursed by the university will be amortized at 20% per year of full-time service over a five-year period beginning at the time the staff member completes the doctorate degree. Should the staff member discontinue his or her employment with the university prior to five years from the completion of the degree, he/she will be personally responsible for the amount of unamortized costs.
Completion of a doctoral degree does not guarantee the employee a new position or change in pay/status.
A request for an exception to this policy may be reviewed by Administrative Council.