Financial Awards for College Degrees and Professional Credentials
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Division Guideline Financial Awards for College Degrees and Professional Credentials |
Approved: Revised: |
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I. REFERENCE
II. DEFINITIONS
III. GUIDELINES A. The Administrative Services Division of Weber State University recognizes and encourages staff to engage in continuing education by obtaining degrees and/or certifications to enhance an individual’s professional development, job skills and critical thinking skills. These enhanced skills and degrees are valued and should be rewarded. B. Pursuing elective degrees, certifications or other professional development programs must not interfere with or detract from the regular work responsibilities of staff members. C. Employees should discuss their plans to attain college degrees and professional credentials with department leadership before undertaking any actions. To aid in the discussion, a College Degree or Professional Credential Planning Agreement must be completed if a financial award is desired upon completion. NOTE: Credentials or certifications that do not meet the criteria noted in Tiers 1, 2 or 3, as defined below, may be recognized by the supervisor through a Spot Award. D. Financial awards for completion of college degrees and professional credentials will be recommended by department leadership to the Vice President, consistent with the guidance given below. The type and amount of financial award will be jointly determined based on the perceived value of the degree or certification to the university, division and the department. E. One-time payments are awarded upon completion of the program. Base salary increases will be effective at the beginning of the month following the completion of the degree or attainment of the credential. F. The department will be responsible for funding financial awards, whether base pay or one-time awards. G. Departments have the discretion to award less than the “not to exceed” amount, but they must be consistent and fair in the amount awarded for similar degrees or certifications. H. Tier 3 programs are voluntary enrollment programs sponsored and defined by the department to meet specific departmental needs. They are not required and are not a condition of employment, but are sponsored by the department to improve the professional capability of the individual enrolled and to improve the overall capability and effectiveness of the department. |
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Awards have been segregated into three tiers with the maximum financial award amounts defined for each tier, as follows: |
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Tier 1 – Post Secondary degree offered by an accredited and recognized institution of higher education. |
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Type of Degree |
Comments |
Type of Award |
Not to Exceed Amount |
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One-Year College Certificate |
Career path |
Base salary increase |
$500 |
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Associates Degree/Two-Year College Certificate |
General education and/or career path |
Base salary increase |
$750 |
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Non-career path |
One-time payment |
$500 |
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Initial Bachelor’s Degree or Graduate Degree |
Career path |
Base salary increase |
$1000 |
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Non-career path |
One-time payment |
$750 |
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Second Bachelor’s Degree |
Career path only |
Base salary increase |
$500 |
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Tier 2 - Professional Certifications and LicensesAll professional certifications and licenses require substantial education, experience, and testing. |
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Type of Credential |
Comments |
Type of Award |
Not to Exceed Amount |
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Level 1 - Requires certification through substantial education (i.e., 4-year degree), experience, and testing See Appendix A, College Degree or Professional Credential Planning Form |
Career path |
Base salary increase |
$600 |
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Level 2 – Requires certification through some amount of education, experience, and testing. See Appendix A, College Degree or Professional Credential Planning Form |
Career Path |
Base salary increase
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$300
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Tier 3 – Department Directed Professional Development ProgramsDefined course of study, testing and experience as set by the department. |
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Type of Credential |
Comments |
Type of Award |
Not to Exceed Amount |
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By definition is career path. Requires extensive study, testing, and experience in a defined program of instruction as defined and developed by the department. See Appendix A, College Degree or Professional Credential Planning Form |
Career path |
One-time payment |
$500 |
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NOTE: Activities that don't meet the criteria noted in Tiers 1, 2 or 3 may be recognized by the supervisor through a Spot Award. |
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