For each faculty rank, a detailed list of evidence and examples of the level and nature of achievement are included in the School-specific Faculty Job Descriptions. Job Descriptions
Professor
The rank of Professor is the highest academic rank attainable for full-time faculty. The minimum standards that must be met for the rank of Professor are:
Academic Preparation: Doctorate or terminal degree in the discipline of faculty appointment or a related discipline.
Professional Experience: Minimum of nine years successful full-time* university teaching (or equivalent) including at least four years teaching at Stevenson University. Three of those four years at Stevenson University must have been served at the Associate Professor level. **
*Adjunct faculty service at SU may be translated into years of full-time service for the purpose of determining eligibility for promotion as follows:
Thirty (30) credit hours or the equivalent of adjunct faculty service equals one year of full-time service in determining eligibility for promotion.
A maximum of sixty (60) credit hours or their equivalent may be translated into years of full-time service in determining eligibility for promotion.
Expressed mathematically:
0—29 credit hours or their equivalent = 0 years of full-time service
30—59 credit hours or their equivalent = 1 year of full-time service
≥ 60 credit hours or their equivalent = 2 years of full-time service
** In the case of new hires with substantial teaching experience at another institution, the requirements for years of teaching at SU, at this and other full-time ranks, may be waived at the discretion of the Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost.
Professional Competence and Scholarship: Achievement of superior breadth and depth of knowledge in the field, as evidenced by such things as (but not limited to) continuing study (credit or non-credit) in the discipline, conference presentations, conference attendance, publications, poster sessions, exhibitions, creative performances, editorships or curatorships, academic awards and recognition, software development, and/or course development. Faculty member shows consistent manifestation of professional growth and scholarly activity.
Teaching Effectiveness: Superior level of teaching proficiency, as evidenced by such things as (but not limited to) implementation of innovative teaching methods or course enhancements (including technology enhancements), attendance at faculty workshops, facilitation of faculty workshops, thoughtful and constructive response to student feedback, positive student feedback and teaching evaluations, teaching awards and recognition, and/or letters of commendation from Academic Program Administrators and/or School Deans.
Service to University and Profession: Outstanding leadership and creative contribution to the mission and goals of the university, and to the profession as a whole, including such things as outstanding service on committees, high commitment to and superior effectiveness in student advising, mentoring of students or peers beyond routine duties (e.g. new faculty mentor), special service that enhances the campus mission or efficiency, service to external agencies related to the University (e.g. Middle States evaluator), active involvement in professional associations (e.g. serving on association subcommittees or holding office in a professional association), and/or active involvement in the campus culture (e.g. campus life, university events, cultural events, and sporting events).
Note: A full-time faculty member holding the rank of Professor will be appointed as an Adjunct Professor if they change their status from full-time to part-time.
Associate Professor
The minimum standards that must be met for the rank of Associate Professor are:
Academic Preparation: Doctorate or terminal degree in the discipline of faculty appointment or a related discipline.
Professional Experience: Minimum of six years successful full-time* (or equivalent) university teaching, including at least four years full-time at SU. Two of those years at Stevenson must have been served at the Assistant Professor level. **
* For formula used to count adjunct teaching toward the minimum at SU, see note under Professor rank.
** In the case of new hires with substantial teaching experience at another institution, the requirements for years of teaching at SU, at this and other full-time ranks, may be waived at the discretion of the Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost.
Professional Competence and Scholarship: Sustained high level of breadth and depth of knowledge in the field, as evidenced by such things as (but not limited to) continuing study (credit or non-credit) in the discipline, conference presentations, conference attendance, publications, poster sessions, exhibitions, creative performances, editorships or curatorships, awards and recognition, software development, and/or course development. Faculty member shows consistent manifestation of professional growth and scholarly activity.
Teaching Effectiveness: Sustained effort toward and high level of success in improving teaching proficiency, as evidenced by such things as (but not limited to) implementation of innovative teaching methods or course enhancements (including technology enhancements), attendance at faculty workshops, presentation of faculty workshops, thoughtful and constructive response to student feedback, teaching evaluations, awards and recognition, and/or letters of commendation from Academic Program Administrators and/or School Deans.
Service to University and Profession: Evidence of leadership and creative contribution to the total objectives of the university, and to the profession as a whole, including such service as significant involvement in committee work, high level of effectiveness in student advising, efforts to mentor students or peers beyond routine duties (e.g. new faculty mentor), service to external agencies related to the University (e.g. Middle States evaluator), and/or active involvement in professional associations (e.g. serving on association subcommittees or holding office in a professional association).
Note: A full-time faculty member holding the rank of Associate Professor will be appointed as an Adjunct Professor if they change their status from full-time to part-time.
Assistant Professor
The minimum standards that must be met for the rank of Assistant Professor are:
Academic Preparation: Doctorate or terminal degree in the discipline of faculty appointment or a related discipline.
Professional Experience: Prior teaching experience at the university level preferred but not required.
Professional Competence and Scholarship: Proven competence in one’s area of specialization, as evidenced by such things as (but not limited to), conference presentations, conference attendance, publications, poster sessions, exhibitions, creative performances, editorships or curatorships, awards and recognition, software development, and/or course development. Faculty member shows evidence of professional growth and scholarly activity.
Teaching Effectiveness: Sustained effort toward improving teaching proficiency, as evidenced by such things as (but not limited to) implementation of innovative teaching methods or course enhancements (including technology enhancements), attendance at faculty workshops, presentation of faculty workshops, thoughtful and constructive response to student feedback, teaching evaluations, awards and recognition, and/or letters of commendation from Academic Program Administrator and/or School Deans.
Service to University and Profession: Evidence of capacity for leadership and creative contribution to the total objectives of the university, and to the profession as a whole, including such service as regular involvement in committee work, commitment to and effectiveness in student advising, efforts to mentor students beyond routine duties (e.g. advisor to student organization), service to external agencies related to the University (e.g. Middle States evaluator), and/or active involvement in professional associations (e.g. serving on association subcommittees or holding office in a professional association).
Note: A full-time faculty member holding the rank of Assistant Professor will be appointed as an Adjunct Professor if they change their status from full-time to part-time.
Instructor
The minimum standards that must be met for the rank of Instructor are:
Academic Preparation: Minimum of a Master’s degree in discipline; or equivalent certified specialization; or equivalent professional expertise.
Professional Experience: Prior teaching experience at the university level preferred but not required.
Professional Competence: Competence in and commitment to professional growth in one’s area of specialization; interest in continued professional development, including such things as involvement in professional associations.
Teaching Effectiveness: Evidence of interest in student learning and the ability to communicate with the student. Faculty member shows the capacity to encourage students and promote effective learning. Commitment to continued improvement of teaching proficiency.
Service to University and Profession: Willingness to contribute to the University community by participating actively in committees and campus activities. Faculty member shows a willingness to collaborate with faculty and staff to promote the goals of the university.
Effective August 2015, the rank of Instructor was discontinued for all new appointments.
Faculty hired prior to August 2015 who hold the rank of Instructor are exempted from the requirement that it be a visiting, limited term appointment.
The last year in which a full-time faculty member may hold the rank of Instructor is 2021-2022.
Senior Lecturer
The minimum standards that must be met for the rank of Senior Lecturer are:
Academic Preparation:
· Doctorate or terminal degree in the discipline of faculty appointment or a related discipline—OR—
· Master’s degree in discipline or equivalent certified specialization AND six years of successful full-time teaching and service as a Lecturer at Stevenson.
Professional Experience: Prior teaching experience at the university level preferred but not required.
Professional Competence: Competence in and commitment to professional growth in an appropriate area of specialization.
Teaching Effectiveness: Evidence of a strong capacity to communicate with students and to encourage students and promote effective learning. Demonstrated commitment to continued improvement of teaching proficiency as evidenced by (but not limited to) implementation of innovative teaching methods or course enhancements (including technology enhancements), attendance at faculty workshops, presentation of faculty workshops, thoughtful and constructive response to student feedback, teaching evaluations, awards and recognition, and/or letters of commendation from Academic Program Administrator and/or School Deans.
Service to the University and Profession: Service as an academic advisor is required.
Note: Senior Lecturers are not eligible for advancement in rank.
Note: A full-time faculty member holding the rank of Senior Lecturer will be appointed as an Adjunct Professor if they change their status from full-time to part-time.
Lecturer
The minimum standards that must be met for the rank of Lecturer are:
Academic Preparation: Minimum of a Master’s degree in discipline; or equivalent certified specialization; or equivalent professional expertise.
Professional Experience: Prior teaching experience at the university level preferred but not required.
Professional Competence: Competence in and commitment to professional growth in an appropriate area of specialization.
Teaching Effectiveness: Evidence of a strong capacity to communicate with students and to encourage students and promote effective learning. Demonstrated commitment to continued improvement of teaching proficiency as evidenced by such things as (but not limited to) implementation of innovative teaching methods or course enhancements (including technology enhancements), attendance at faculty workshops, presentation of faculty workshops, thoughtful and constructive response to student feedback, teaching evaluations, awards and recognition, and/or letters of commendation from Academic Program Administrator and/or School Deans.
Service to the University and Profession: Service as an academic advisor is required.
Note: A full-time faculty member holding the rank of Lecturer will be appointed as an Adjunct Instructor if they change their status from full-time to part-time.
Visiting Faculty
Appointment as a full-time visiting faculty member is made at the rank of Visiting Senior Lecturer or Visiting Lecturer in accordance with the criteria set forth above for these ranks. (See also Faculty of the University policy)
Adjunct Professor
The rank of Adjunct Professor is the highest academic rank attainable for part-time adjunct faculty. The minimum standards that must be met for the rank of Adjunct Professor are:
Academic Preparation:
· Doctorate or terminal degree in the discipline of faculty appointment or a related discipline —OR—
· Master’s degree in the discipline or equivalent certified specialization AND successfully teaching 54 credit or contact hours at Stevenson University —OR—
· Master’s degree in the discipline or equivalent certified specialization and 5 years successful university teaching experience at SU.
Professional Competence: Shows competence and commitment to professional growth in one’s area of specialization; interest in continued professional development, including such things as involvement in professional associations.
Teaching Effectiveness: Shows evidence of interest in student learning and the ability to communicate with the student. Faculty member shows the capacity to encourage students and promote effective learning. Shows commitment to continued improvement of teaching proficiency.
Service to University and Profession: Shows a willingness to contribute to the University community and/or the professional community as demonstrated by participating in university and/or professional activities. Faculty member shows a willingness to collaborate with others to promote the goals of the university.
Adjunct Instructor
The minimum standards that must be met for the rank of Adjunct Instructor are:
Academic Preparation: Minimum of Master’s degree in the discipline or equivalent certified specialization.
Professional Competence: Competence in one’s area of specialization; interest in continued professional development, including such things as involvement in professional associations.
Teaching Effectiveness: Evidence of interest in student learning and the ability to communicate with the student. Commitment to continued improvements in teaching proficiency and to promoting student learning.
Service to University and Profession: Shows a willingness to contribute to the University community and/or the professional community as demonstrated by participating in university and/or professional activities. Faculty member shows a willingness to collaborate with others to promote the goals of the university.
(Approved April 2021)