Appointments, Promotions and Tenure

Tenure Track

The Tenure Track is the academic track requiring evidence of, and promise of, continuing high quality performance in the three categories of: (1) research, creative or scholarly activity; 2) education and (3) service (including clinical care, if relevant). Except in unusual circumstances, criteria for promotion (and the award of tenure) include evidence of continued excellence in the category of research, creative or scholarly activity and in one other category and at least strength in the third category. Appointees in this track must be academically-salaried University- or UMMHC-salaried faculty members and shall be eligible for tenure and the privileges and limitations thereof as described in Articles 7 and 11.

Appointment as, or Promotion to, Assistant Professor.

a. Completion of the terminal degree and formal training in the relevant academic field, and:

i. for those clinically trained in medical disciplines, evidence that s/he has completed all necessary training to be eligible for board certification;

ii. for those trained in basic science, 2 years of postdoctoral research;

iii. for those prepared in nursing, 2 years of teaching at the university or college level, or relevant experience and achievement other than university or college teaching sufficient to qualify for appointment as an Assistant Professor in a university school of nursing

iv. for others not included in i. ii or iii., equivalent previous professional experience, achievement, responsibility and strength of professional development, and

b. Evidence of prior experience in the areas of education, research/scholarly activity or professional/academic service that would qualify as ‘entry’ level achievement. It is recognized that junior faculty will vary considerably as to their level of prior experience in each of these categories.

Appointment as, or Promotion to, Associate Professor.

Normally appointment or promotion to the rank of Associate Professor in the Tenure Track shall require:

a. considerable academic or professional experience beyond the level which would warrant appointment and reappointment as Assistant Professor, including:

i. six years of service at the level of Assistant Professor at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, or another academic institution; or

ii. an equivalency of previous professional experience, achievement, responsibility and stage of professional development;

iii. for others not included in i. or ii., sufficient experience and to qualify for an Associate Professorship in a university department in the individual's academic field, and

b. an increasing record of high quality peer-reviewed publications resulting from research/creative/scholarly activity, sufficient to have generated at least national recognition by scholars or professionals in his/her field; and

c. an academic record, beyond that required for the rank of Assistant Professor that demonstrates an 'established' level of academic achievement in the area of research/scholarly activity and in a second area (e.g. either education or professional/academic service) with at least an 'entry' level of achievement in the third area.

Appointment as, or Promotion to, Professor.

Normally, appointment or promotion to the rank of Professor in the Tenure Track shall require:

a. 12 years of professional experience beyond the time when the faculty member would have qualified for an initial appointment at the Assistant Professor level, and

b. evidence of 'senior' level achievement in research/scholarly activity and in at least one additional area (e.g. education or professional/academic service) and at least an 'established" level of achievement in the third area, and

c. promise of continuing professional development and achievement.