Faculty Ranks
The basic definitions of faculty ranks are the following:
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Instructor
This rank is intended for persons initially hired with a master's degree. Normally, the Department does not hire at the rank of Instructor except for full-time non-tenure track (NTT) faculty positions.
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Assistant Professor
This rank is normally the entry-level rank for tenure-track faculty holding the doctorate in an appropriate discipline.
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Associate Professor
Hire to or promotion to this rank presumes prior service as an Assistant Professor, significant academic achievements, and possession of the doctorate in an appropriate discipline (See, Section V of this Handbook).
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Professor
Promotion to this rank requires credentials and achievements beyond those required for promotion to Associate Professor and is reserved for senior faculty members who have achieved significant recognition in their discipline (See, Section 3 of this Handbook).
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Research Associate Professor and Research Assistant Professor
These ranks are reserved for individuals who are engaged in research and who are not normally assigned teaching responsibilities. Such positions are typically supported by extramural grant funds and are not tenure‐track appointments. Faculty who hold these ranks do not vote on Department committees and do not participate in Department governance.