All adjunct faculty in the academic teaching areas are required to have the same academic qualifications as full-time faculty. In the area of learning support, applicants with a bachelor's degree may be used. In select Associate of Applied Science and certificate programs, an associate degree or unique experiential qualifications in conjunction with demonstrated competence may substitute for academic credentials. Exceptions must be fully documented and justified by the respective academic dean and approved by the vice president of Academic Affairs on an individual basis.

The Office of Multi-Campus Programs accepts applications from qualified individuals via the Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) Connector system; applicants must authorize a thorough investigation of their background, including past employment. The academic deans review applicants’ credentials to add them to or disqualify them from the adjunct faculty pool. Adjunct instructors are hired from the adjunct faculty pool and employed on an as-needed basis each semester.

Employment as an adjunct faculty member is contingent upon completion of the requisite approval and onboarding process, including the background check. Adjunct faculty who take a break from service for a period of 12 months or longer will be subject to a background check upon their return.