alternative to the number of years of direct experience required, not to exceed: (a) Two years of direct experience for an associate degree; (b) Four years of direct experience for a bachelor's degree; (c) Six years of direct experience for a master's degree; (d) Seven years of direct experience for a professional degree; or. Accountability, advocacy, coaching/mentoring, collaboration, communication, emotional intelligence, execution, facilitative decision making, fair and legal management, financial management, humility, integrity, judgment, political savvy, problem solving, role model, strategic thinking, talent selection, transparency.