Oct 05, 2024  
Faculty Handbook 2024 - 2025 
    
Faculty Handbook 2024 - 2025

3.5.D - Faculty Performance Expectations for Tenure Track Faculty with Professional Rank


Assistant Professors

Assistant Professors ordinarily hold the earned doctorate or terminal degree in their fields of specialization. A rare exception to this requirement may be made when there is evidence of outstanding achievements and professional recognition in the candidate’s field of expertise. In most fields, the doctorate will be expected.

Adapting to the expectations of the academy and of KSU and getting established in one’s scholarly work are typically the primary concerns of an assistant professor. A typical pattern of effective and productive scholarly work for the assistant professor is one that begins modestly in the early years, perhaps with a limited or local significance, and expands in depth, focus, significance, recognition, and productivity in later years.

Associate Professors

Associate Professors make contributions to knowledge as a result of their scholarly work. High quality and significance (see KSU Faculty Handbook Section 3.4) are the essential criteria for evaluation. The specialty areas, expertise, and professional identities of associate professors should become more advanced, more clearly defined, and more widely recognized as their academic careers progress. Typically, as the faculty member’s roles and contributions grow towards significance, leadership, and initiative, the faculty member establishes a strong record of accomplishments with broader impact and recognition within and beyond the University. Based on BoR policy (BoR Policy Manual 8.3.6.2), promotion to the rank of associate professor requires the terminal degree in the appropriate discipline or its equivalent in training, ability, and/or experience. Neither the possession of a doctorate nor longevity of service is a guarantee per se of promotion. Initial appointments to the associate professor rank should have a terminal degree in the appropriate discipline or the equivalent in training, ability, or experience (BoR Policy Manual 8.3.1.3).

Professors

Professors are experienced and senior members of the faculty who have become highly accomplished in their scholarly activities. They are faculty whose careers have advanced to mature and high levels of effectiveness and productivity. Professors have strong records of contribution to and leadership in their respective areas of emphasis. A professor is typically characterized as a leader, mentor, scholar, expert, and/or distinguished colleague. Professors make significant contributions to knowledge as a result of their scholarly work, whether demonstrated through the scholarly work of scholarship and creative activity, teaching, or professional service. Professors have a documented record of distinguished accomplishments using the criteria for quality and significance of scholarly work (see KSU Faculty Handbook Section 3.4). These accomplishments will merit regional, national, or international attention and recognition. Professors continue to grow and develop in their respective areas of emphasis. Based on BoR policy (BoR Policy Manual 8.3.6.2), promotion to the rank of full professor requires the terminal degree in the appropriate discipline or its equivalent in training, ability, and/or experience. Neither the possession of a doctorate nor longevity of service is a guarantee per se of promotion. Initial appointments to the full professorial rank should have a terminal degree in the appropriate discipline or the equivalent in training, ability, or experience (BoR Policy Manual 8.3.1.3).