5.2 Non-Tenure-Track Faculty Ranks

5.2.4 Non-Tenure-Track Faculty of Practice Ranks

Full-time, non-tenure-track faculty of practice are hired primarily for teaching and institutional service. Faculty of practice may also be expected to perform professional service in accordance with their appointment. They generally are not expected to conduct research as a condition of their employment. However, research activities may be included as part of their effort, depending on the needs of the department and the skills and desires of the faculty member. A complete and thorough documentation of the responsibilities and workload distribution of the non-tenure-track faculty of practice will be provided by the hiring unit to the faculty member at the time of initial appointment and updated each time the faculty member is reappointed.

The characteristics of excellent instruction for a faculty of practice align with the practices for non-tenure-track teaching faculty described in Section 5.2.1.

Additional characteristics include:

Preparing students for the complexities and realities of the current professional environment;

Staying current in their field of practice to ensure course content is consistent with the current professional setting;

Organizing and supervising students in professional programs.

Ranking Specific Requirements for Faculty of Practice

While the minimum qualifications for appointment and the criteria for performance at a particular rank are consistent across the university, the specific requirements of the varying ranks are a function of the discipline and are typically defined by the faculty of the academic unit and/or department in which an appointment resides.

Assistant Professor of Practice
Evidence of potential ability in teaching, service to the institution, service to the profession, and contribution to student development and success. Documentable recognition of expertise in the field and at least a decade of practice in the field in the private or public sectors outside the academy. Exceptions to this minimum rank qualification can be approved by the provost. Professional comportment consistent with the Faculty Code of Conduct.

Associate Professor of Practice
Documented evidence of high-quality teaching, service to the institution, and contributions to student development and success. Served at least five years at the rank of assistant professor of practice. Exceptions to this minimum rank qualification can be approved by the provost. Documentable recognition of expertise in the field and at least a decade of practice in the field in the private or public sectors outside the academy. Exceptions to this minimum rank qualification at the associate professor of practice level can be approved by the provost. Professional comportment consistent with the Faculty Code of Conduct.

Professor of Practice
Documented evidence of teaching excellence; service to the institution, and contribution to student development and success. Served at least five years at the rank of associate professor of practice. Exceptions to this minimum rank qualification can be approved by the provost. Documentable recognition of expertise in the field and at least a decade of practice in the field in the private or public sectors outside the academy. Exceptions to this minimum rank qualification at the professor of practice level can be approved by the provost. Professional comportment consistent with the Faculty Code of Conduct.

5.2.4.1 Terms & Procedures for Appointment & Reappointment of Non-Tenure-Track Faculty of Practice Ranks

The primary criterion for appointment and reappointment of a full-time, non-tenure-track faculty of practice is excellence in teaching and service. However, documented evidence of excellence in discipline-appropriate scholarly and/or creative activity, and/or service to the discipline or profession, may be included as supplementary criteria, depending on the needs of the department and the skills and desires of the faculty member.

Non-tenure-track faculty of practice are appointed to meet instructional needs with the specific intent of bringing practicing professionals into the classroom and research laboratories. All non-tenure-track faculty of practice appointments will be made for a term of at least one year and not more than five years.

The title of Visiting may be assigned or attached to a full-time non-tenure-track faculty of practice rank in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in Section 5.2.5.

< 5.2.3 Non-Tenure-Track Clinical Faculty Ranks

5.2.5 Visiting Faculty >

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