7.3.2 Promotion of Instructors
Specific Criteria for Tenure and Promotion
What follow are minimum criteria for tenure and promotion. Departments and schools may develop additional criteria. Any such proposed criteria will require review and approval by the appropriate academic dean and Provost’s Office to ensure consistency with college-wide guidelines and procedures. Additionally, they shall be reviewed by the originating body every five years and will require review and approval by the dean and the Provost’s Office when modified. (Rev. Apr. 2012)
Tenure and Promotion to the Rank of Associate Professor
Promotion to the rank of Associate Professor is normally awarded simultaneously with tenure. The following criteria are necessary, though not sufficient, for tenure and promotion to Associate Professor. The Associate Professor will normally hold the highest appropriate terminal degree. Evidence of exemplary performance in at least one of the specified professional competency areas or significant achievement in the two areas of teaching and research and professional development is required. (Ins. Apr. 2007; Rev. Apr. 2009)
- Tenure and promotion to the rank of Associate Professor require sustained effectiveness in teaching.
- There must be clear evidence of high promise for continued quality scholarship and professional activity. Since peer refereeing is one criterion of scholarly quality, the evidence must include scholarly books or journal articles (or otherwise juried publications, or professionally evaluated performances or exhibits in the arts). All evidence should be evaluated rigorously.
- There should be active and sustained service to the College or there should be active and sustained service in the candidate’s professional role to the local, state, regional, or national community.
Tenure for Associate Professors
A faculty member hired as an untenured Associate Professor must meet the same criteria for tenure as in section a (immediately above). Evidence of exemplary performance in at least one of the specified professional competency areas or significant achievement in the two areas of teaching and research and professional development is required. (Ins. Apr. 2007; Rev. Apr. 2009)
Promotion to the Rank of Professor
Promotion to the rank of Professor requires evidence of continuing quality teaching, research and service. The following criteria are necessary, though not sufficient, for promotion to Professor. The Professor must hold the highest appropriate terminal degree. Evidence of either exemplary performance in at least one of the specified professional competency areas or significant achievement in all three areas is required. (Ins. Apr. 2007; Rev. Apr. 2009)
- Promotion to the rank of Professor requires sustained high quality and effective teaching. (Rev. Apr. 2009)
- Because Professor is the highest rank, there must be clear evidence of continuing quality scholarship. Peer refereeing is one criterion of scholarly quality; therefore the evidence must include scholarly books or journal articles (or otherwise juried publications, or professional evaluated performances or exhibits in the arts). In addition to scholarship, sustained professional activity is expected. All evidence should be rigorously evaluated.
- There should be active and sustained service to the College. Leadership should be demonstrated either in college service or in the candidate’s professional role to the local, state, regional, or national community.
Tenure for Professors
A faculty member hired as an untenured Professor must meet the same criteria for tenure as in section a (above). (Rev. Apr. 2012)
Related Policies, Documents or Forms
7.3.2 Promotion of Instructors (FAM VI.B) PDF
Revision Log
Web Publication Date: 1/20/2026