4.05 Faculty Promotion

Guidelines for Faculty Promotion

The following guidelines are intended to clarify expectations for, and differences in, the academic ranks of associate professor and professor. General guidelines for each rank are specified, whether for initial appointment or promotion. Examples of the types of activities that are consistent with the general guidelines are given for the three academic activities essential to the mission of The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (“university”) (teaching, research and service). These criteria should be considered but are not intended as minimum standards. Appointment as or promotion to senior faculty ranks will be based on demonstrated accomplishments. The distinctions between the associate professor and professor ranks are based on degree of accomplishments; that is, are more quantitative than qualitative.

CONTACT

For questions regarding these guidelines, contact the Office of Academic Affairs.

I. Associate Professor

General Guidelines for Consideration

  1. A minimum of three years in the rank of assistant professor.
  2. Academic credentials congruent with the expectations of the school and department.
  3. Developing peer recognition that is reflected by an emerging national reputation.
  4. Evidence of scholarly achievement reflected in peer recognition of works from original research, clinical observations, educational programs, etc.
  5. Significant scholarly accomplishments in at least two of the three academic activities: teaching, research and service.
  6. Board certification or its equivalent, if pertinent.

Examples of the types of activities that are consistent with the general guidelines follow for the three areas of academic activity essential to the mission of the university (teaching, research and service).

A. Teaching

  1. Teaches effectively, evidenced by mastery of both content and method and documented by student and faculty evaluation. All teaching activities should receive consideration.
  2. Takes responsibility for the design, organization, coordination and evaluation of a course or series of lectures.
  3. Receives recognition as an exemplary scientist or clinician whose teaching activities can be documented as providing an outstanding role model for students.
  4. Develops and/or presents effective continuing education or other professional programs, including invited presentations.
  5. Provides effective supervision to graduate students.
  6. Participates in student guidance and counseling regarding program planning and general curricular activities, as well as consultation to student organizations and groups within and outside of the university.
  7. Demonstrates innovation in teaching methods and production of texts, educational software or courseware.

B. Research

  1. Demonstrates initiative, independence and sustained activity in basic science, clinical, outcomes or population research.
  2. Publishes research findings and scholarly papers in scientific or professional journals or books; publications in refereed journals are weighted more heavily than non-refereed publications.
  3. Presents research and scholarly findings at scientific and professional meetings.
  4. Obtains grants or contracts for research or other scholarly activities.
  5. Serves on thesis or dissertation committees.

C. Service

  1. Provides exemplary patient care that augments the educational and research missions of the university.
  2. Provides staff responsibility for a service or specific area of patient care or clinical teaching for which peer recognition can be documented.
  3. Serves on committees within the department, school, university and/or affiliated institutions.
  4. Provides consultation or service to other departments or schools within the university and to local, state, regional, national, or international organizations that seek or benefit from the candidate's expertise.
  5. Serves on extramural review committees or editorial boards of scientific or professional journals.
  6. Performs a key administrative role in patient care, research or teaching activities within a department or division.
  7. Provides service to the professional or lay community through education, consultations or other roles.
  8. Engages in mentoring junior faculty colleagues.

II. Professor

General Guidelines

  1. Distinguished performance and maturity as an associate professor, generally at least 3-5 years at this rank.
  2. Academic credentials congruent with the expectations of the school or department.
  3. An established reputation that is derived from national or international peer recognition.
  4. Sustained scholarly productivity usually in the form of peer-reviewed publications in teaching, research and service.
  5. Sustained scholarly achievement reflected in peer recognition of works from original research, clinical observations, educational programs, etc.
  6. Board certification or its equivalent, if pertinent.

Examples of the types of activities that are consistent with the general guidelines follow for the three academic activities essential to the mission of the university (teaching, research and service).

A. Teaching

  1. Sustained and outstanding performance of the examples cited for the associate professor level.
  2. Leadership through design, organization, coordination and evaluation of a course or courses (undergraduate, graduate or continuing education); administrative responsibility at the school or departmental level for curriculum; supervision of staff teaching within a course, department, school or the university.
  3. Invitations as visiting professor at other institutions.
  4. Responsibility for student guidance and counseling regarding program planning and general curricular activities, as well as consultation to student organizations and groups within and outside of the university.
  5. Sustained recognition as an exemplary scientist, teacher or clinician whose activities can be documented as providing an outstanding role model for students.
  6. Publication of educational works in relevant journals.

B. Research

  1. Senior or responsible author of papers published in refereed scientific or professional journals, book chapters and other scholarly works.
  2. Receives grants or contracts as a principal investigator for research.
  3. Invitations to participate at national or international professional or scientific meetings.
  4. Invitations to preside over sessions at national or international professional or scientific meetings.
  5. Recognition for excellence in research by professional or scientific institutions or organizations.
  6. Serves as chair of thesis or dissertation committees.

C. Service

  1. Appointment to responsible positions within the institution or its affiliates (chairs a committee, department or division; membership on major university committees).
  2. Recognition as an authority by other schools and departments within the university and by local, state, regional or national organizations or institutions.
  3. Senior staff responsibility for a service or specific area of patient care or clinical teaching.
  4. Consultant to, or serves on, government review committees, study sections or other national review panels.
  5. Serves as an officer or committee chair in professional or scientific organizations.
  6. Serves on editorial boards of professional or scientific journals.
  7. Election to responsible positions on civic boards or organizations concerned with health care issues at the local, state, regional, national or international levels.
  8. Engages in mentoring faculty colleagues.

III. Guidelines for the Initial Appointment or Promotion to the Ranks of Associate Professor and Professor, Non-tenure Track

The criteria for initial appointment as or promotion to associate professor or professor on a non-tenure track are qualitatively identical to those for the tenure track. However, faculty members with non-tenure-track appointments are permitted to concentrate their efforts in the clinical service area or the research area, as appropriate. The same guidelines should be considered for appointment or promotion as for faculty on the tenure track.

Updated 7/99, 08/07, 05/08

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