4.1.14 - Adjunct Faculty Appointments

The University System of Georgia usually reserves “adjunct faculty status” for courtesy or honorary appointments by institutions. The primary characteristic that usually distinguishes “part-time faculty status” from “adjunct faculty status” is that part-time or visiting faculty are compensated for their services, and adjunct faculty are not.

KSU grants adjunct faculty status through the office of the Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, typically upon the recommendation of a department chair and dean. Adjunct faculty are individuals who regularly make significant volunteer contributions of their personal time, talents, energy, and resources to the instructional program of the University. Regular and significant volunteer contributions are typically made by student teaching supervisors, nursing preceptors, coop and internship supervisors, regular guest lecturers, who provide significant components of courses or programs annually, and others. These courtesy appointments will be made on an annual basis, renewable at the discretion of the University, and serve as a small token of the University’s appreciation and recognition for the valuable contributions made to the instructional program and its students.

The title, “Adjunct Professor” will be used for the courtesy appointments of individuals who hold a doctoral or equivalent terminal degree. All others will be appointed “Adjunct Instructor.” Adjunct instructors will normally be expected to hold at least a master’s degree unless the individual has established an exceptional record of accomplishment and demonstrated success in the area of contribution to the University’s instructional program. Submission of formal credentials and transcripts will not be required for these courtesy appointments.

Unless a special exception is granted by the Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs (and required credentials and transcripts are on file), adjunct faculty will not serve as the instructor of record for any KSU course or grade roster. Adjunct faculty will not be compensated by KSU for their contributions or service, nor will they normally have employment status at KSU. Adjunct faculty status is courtesy or honorary appointment and earns no credit toward tenure.