Promotion Criteria Summary U of Michigan Clinical Assistant Professor Clinical Associate Professor Clinical Professor A Clinical Assistant Professor has excelled in clinical care and teaching, and these are the primary requirements for appointment or promotion to this rank. 1. Clinical work Clinical excellence is documented by letters, which may be from local sources and must attest to the quality of clinical service. Certification by a relevant professional board or the equivalent is a usual expectation at this rank, although this qualification may be in progress at the time of appointment according to the requirements of the relevant professional board; exceptions for some internationally trained physicians may be granted by the Medical School. 2. Teaching Quality of teaching is usually documented by objective teaching evaluations from the learner groups that are being taught (medical students, residents, fellows, undergraduate and graduate students as well as peer education), letters, and awards. If the candidate comes from an outside institution, letters describing the teaching efforts and quality are required. 3. Scholarship An Assistant Professor should show progress toward becoming scholarly engaged in their field. On the Clinical Track, invited presentations as well as publication of articles in professional journals, chapters, reviews, abstracts, textbooks, videotapes, or other educational materials are evidence of scholarly contributions and are usual features of faculty at this rank. 4. Service The candidate's organizational service, if present, to his or her department should be documented. For faculty members with predominantly clinical effort, several years of postgraduate clinical experience (post residency or post fellowship) combined with excellent teaching evaluations may qualify for promotion or appointment at this level, although some evidence of scholarly contribution is generally expected as noted above. New faculty members with evidence of distinct clinical expertise may also be appointed at this level. Appointments and promotions to assistant professor require review by the Advisory Committee on Clinical Track Appointments and Promotions (CLINACAP) and approval by the Medical School Executive Committee. A Clinical Associate Professor has excelled in teaching and clinical work, and has achieved a regional or national reputation in his or her area of expertise. Peer-reviewed published scholarship and service to the institution, regional or national organizations is expected. The associate professor signals the passage into medical academia s senior rank. Individuals at this rank are expected to be role models of collegiality, integrity, scholarship, and excellence in their professions. Typically, a reputation of this sort is documented by letters from impartial external sources. 1 Clinical work As an Associate Professor on the clinical track, development as a clinician has progressed to the point of establishing broad interdepartmental and regional recognition by professional colleagues for clinical expertise. This is usually documented in letters from colleagues and peers who attest to the clinical excellence. Appointment or promotion to this rank requires board certification or the equivalent (although occasional exceptions for some internationally trained physicians may be granted by the Medical School). 2. Teaching Evidence of continued valuable contribution to medical education is expected. This may be through customary teaching situations (lectures, clinical instruction of students and residents, mentorship pairing, or scholarly work with trainees including formal evaluations to assess quality) or through the preparation of educational materials, including educational brochures and learning aids, textbook chapters, reviews, videotapes, web based learning, and other instructional interfaces. Teaching evaluations from all learner groups should be available. Administration and organization of teaching programs are also valued activities, and creativity in their execution can be documented by letters from appropriate knowledgeable faculty, students, and peers. 3. Scholarship The candidate should have produced scholarship that influences knowledge and/or clinical care. Scholarship should include peer reviewed papers, but may also include books, book or web based chapters, or some other mode of communicating results and ideas. 4. Service Administration or leadership at the school level or at local, regional, or national organizations are a typical feature of this rank. Appointment and promotion to this highest rank in the Clinical Track requires continued outstanding teaching, mentoring and clinical service. A national reputation is expected in scholarship, research or teaching. A Clinical Professor has many products of their scholarly activity and will have a substantial record of first author and/or senior-author publications in peer-reviewed journals that have resulted in broad peer recognition in their area of expertise. Service in regional or national specialty societies or boards is the norm. Institutional citizenship is expected of a Senior Clinical Faculty. Appointments and promotions to professor require review by CLINACAP; approval by the Medical School Executive Committee; endorsement by the Dean, the Executive Vice President for Medical Affairs, the Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, and the President.
Appointments and promotions to associate professor require review by CLINACAP; approval by the Medical School Executive Committee; endorsement by the Dean, the Executive Vice President for Medical Affairs, the Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, and the President. U of Colorado Associate Professor Professor Associate Professors should have the terminal degree appropriate to their field, or its equivalent. Associate Professors must demonstrate excellence in teaching, research, or clinical activity; and at least meritorious performance in teaching, scholarly activity, and service/clinical activity. All faculty will be required to participate in scholarship, as broadly defined. All scholarship implies creativity. The products of all scholarship must be in a format that can be evaluated, which would normally mean a written format, but could include video or computer formats. Professors should have the terminal degree appropriate to their field or its equivalent. They must demonstrate continued achievement in their areas of expertise; a national reputation; at least meritorious performance in teaching and service/clinical activity; excellence in two of the following (teaching, research, and/or clinical activity); and excellence in scholarly activity. All faculty will be required to participate in scholarship, as broadly defined. All scholarship implies creativity. The products of all scholarship must be in a format that can be evaluated, which would normally mean a written format, but could include video or computer formats. Oregon Health & Science University Assistant Professor Associate Professor Professor This rank is appropriate for persons who have completed both a doctorate in medicine or basic science (M.D., Ph.D., D.V.M., etc) and postdoctoral training. Persons who do not hold these academic degrees or have this training may be appointed or promoted to this rank after demonstrated competence in research, teaching, patient care or administration or combinations of these activities. A potential for academic accomplishment should be evident. Eligibility for specialty board certification, where appropriate, is expected. This rank is a senior faculty rank requiring evidence of substantial accomplishment beyond the training and qualifications required for appointment to the Assistant Professor rank. Those who aspire to this rank must have a satisfactory record of accomplishment in all of the following categories: teaching, scholarship and service and a substantial record in at least one of these categories. The rank of Professor is the highest academic rank. It is reserved for appointment or promotion of persons who show clear evidence of a high level of professional accomplishment. Those who aspire to this rank must have a substantial record of accomplishment in at least two of the following categories: teaching, scholarship or service and an outstanding record in the third. Faculty members at or appointed to this rank should have achieved national or international recognition as academicians. U of Maryland Assistant Professor Associate Professor Professor An Assistant Professor holds the Ph.D. and/or M.D., or equivalent degree, has completed postgraduate training, and, if a clinician, is eligible for or holds specialty board certification. At the Dean s discretion, other scholarly or professional attainments may be substituted for such a degree, eligibility for certification, or certification. An Associate Professor holds the Ph.D. and/or M.D., or equivalent degree and, if a clinician, has been certified by the appropriate specialty and sub-specialty board. At the Dean s discretion, other scholarly or professional attainments may be substituted for such a degree or certification. An appointee has potential for superior teaching and research, clinical activities (if applicable), and service. In addition, an appointee to the rank of Associate Professor has demonstrated sustained accomplishments in teaching, contributions to knowledge, clinical activities (if applicable), and/or service well beyond those required for the rank of Assistant Professor. The rank of Professor is conferred only on those faculty members who exhibit the highest levels of scholarly achievement and service to the School and UMB. Those holding this rank constitute the faculty having primary responsibility for setting the standards of excellence for teaching, scholarship, clinical practice (if applicable), and service to the School and UMB. Nothing less than excellence is acceptable. The rank of Professor is never granted solely as a reward for length of service. The evidence must indicate convincingly that an appointee to the rank of Associate Professor has the potential to maintain a high level of performance as a teacher and, as appropriate, basic science or clinical investigator, and/or clinician. The criteria applicable to the rank of Professor are those already indicated as applicable to the rank of Associate Professor, with the additional criterion that a Professor be a highly regarded scholar in the field, with a clearly established
The relative importance attached to each of the criteria listed below must be considered in relation to the duties of an individual candidate for Associate Professor rank. (For example, a candidate whose duties include extensive clinical responsibilities cannot be expected to exhibit the same research qualifications as a candidate whose responsibilities are limited to teaching and research.) (1) Evidence of teaching excellence may include (but shall not be limited to): Participation in medical/graduate teaching with favorable evaluations by the Department chairperson and faculty Contributions to curriculum reform/innovation (including development and publication of new curricula) Establishment of new courses Mentoring medical and/or graduate students, residents, and postdoctoral fellows (2) Evidence of research excellence may include (but shall not be limited to): Consistent and continuing record of scholarly publications in high ranking peer-reviewed journals Being principal investigator of an established research program Invitations to present research findings at national symposia Impact of research on the field as measured by citation frequency Substantial extramural grant support (3) Evidence of clinical excellence may include (but shall not be limited to): Successful experience in clinical practice, as determined by the Department Acknowledgment from peers as being an outstanding clinician Statement of the Department chairperson that Department faculty recognize the appointee s excellence in teaching clinical skills and patient management to students, house officers, and/or fellows (4) Evidence of effective participation in UMB, School, community, and professional service. national reputation. As in the case of appointment to all other ranks, the evidence supporting the recommendation for the rank of Professor should give clear and strong indication of first rate performance as a teacher (where applicable). Evidence of teaching ability must include a proven ability to direct the programs of advanced students (e.g., residents, postdoctoral fellows) in the appointee s field. The appointee must have a sustained, high level of productivity and excellence in contributions to knowledge. Evidence of the exceptional scholarly achievement required for the rank of Professor may include (but shall not be limited to): Sustained record of scholarly publications in high ranking, peer reviewed journals Appointment to editorial boards of highly competitive journals Appointment to major peer review groups Selection to governing boards of professional societies Director of multi-investigator research grants, such as program project grants, center grants, or training grants Director of an independent and productive research program Ability to secure funding from multiple independent sources Election to membership in select professional societies Invited research presentations at national and international meetings. When clinical activities comprise the majority of professional effort, the appointee s clinical excellence must be recognized. Evidence may include (but shall not be limited to): Sustained record of clinical publications in peer- reviewed journals Broad-based patient referral pattern Selection to governing boards of professional societies Director of a productive clinical unit Election to membership in select professional societies Invited clinical presentations at national and international meetings g. Effective and relevant service contributions to the School and UMB, the profession, and the community also should be part of the record. U of Rochester Associate Professor Professor Appointment and reappointment or promotion to Associate Professor in this option recognizes that the principal contributions of the faculty member to the School are in: 1) education 2) patientcare 3) clinical scholarship, and 4) administration of educational or patient-care programs. Although most faculty appointees in this option are likely to be physicians or dentists with substantial Appointment or reappointment to Professor recognizes high achievement and eminence as a teacher, clinician, and clinical scholar. In addition, administrative responsibilities that facilitate teaching and patient care are expected. Membership and participation in professional societies and organizations and election to positions of leadership in regional and national
U of Miami Medical School clinical responsibilities, faculty with other doctoral degrees who, by virtue of their training and expertise have special roles in education, clinical research and service may also be appointed and promoted in this option. For appointment or promotion to Associate Professor in this activity option, faculty must demonstrate excellence in teaching and clinical service. Scholarship shall also be an important factor in the evaluation of the faculty member. Contributions to education, patient care, scholarship and administration of the highest quality are expected. Scholarship is best judged by written works, which demonstrate a developed, in-depth approach to an area of focused interest. Appointment or promotion to Associate Professor in the T-C-S activity option shall be limited to five years. Reappointments may be for two-to five-years, and there shall be no limit on the number of reappointments. Evidence of continued scholarly productivity, excellence in clinical service, and participation in teaching are expected for reappointment in this rank. The chair s letter to the Dean recommending reappointment should include an explanation when a term of less than five years is recommended. If the department chair and the faculty member believe a recommendation for change in activity option is appropriate, the chair shall make such recommendation to the Dean in accordance with the general guidelines set forth in the section on academic appointments (p.8). Such change would typically occur at the time of consideration for reappointment. The Steering Committee, and when appropriate the MEDSAC, and the Dean will judge the evidence submitted in support of this recommendation, and the Dean will communicate this decision to the faculty member and the chair in writing. If an Associate Professor in the T-C-S activity option is not recommended for reappointment or promotion, notification shall be made in writing by the chair of the department at least one year in advance of the expiration of the appointment if the appointment is for four or five years, and the Dean shall be apprised of the basis for the action. If such notification is given less than one year before the expiration of the appointment, then the appointment will expire at the end of the required number of months from the date notification is given. If the appointment is for less than four years, the notification period should be three months for every year in the current appointment period. Associate Professor Tangible contributions in more than one focus area within your referral area (local, regional, state) clinical societies are examples of additional achievements that will be considered. Participation in health-care planning or as organizers or speakers in clinical symposia, seminars, and continuing-education programs and scholarly writings also represent achievements as a clinician-teacher that will be valued for promotion to Professor in this activity option. Appointment or promotion to Professor in this option shall initially be for five years. Reappointments shall be for two to five-year periods and there shall be no limitation on the number of reappointments. Evidence of continued scholarly productivity, excellence in clinical practice and participation in teaching are expected for reappointment in this rank. The chair s letter to the Dean recommending reappointment shall include an explanation when a term of less than five years is requested. Professors who have shown sustained distinction as teachers or have achieved national recognition as clinician scholars and leaders in their discipline may be considered for tenure. Such recommendations will be made by the chair to the Dean, normally after the faculty member has completed a five-year term as Professor. The Dean will appoint an ad hoc faculty committee to review the candidate s credentials. The recommendation of the ad hoc committee will be brought forward to the Steering Committee and MEDSAC for a decision advisory to the Dean. If a Professor with a four or five-year appointment is not to be recommended for reappointment, notification should be made in writing by the chair of the department at least one year in advance of the expiration of the appointment, and the Dean shall be apprised of the basis for the action. If the appointment is for less than four years, the notification period should be three months for every year in the current appointment period. If such notification is given less than one year before the expiration of the appointment, then the appointment will expire at the end of the required number of months from the date notification is given. Professor Tangible contributions in more than one focus area and a national reputation.
U of California San Diego Ranks The ranks in the Clinical Professor are: Clinical Instructor Assistant Clinical Professor Associate Clinical Professor Clinical Professor Criteria for Appointment Clinical competence and excellence in teaching will be the primary basis for appointment in this series. An appointee must have the appropriate license and board certification to practice in his or her field and must contribute significantly to the clinical teaching program. If the individual has participated in professional organizations, University and community service, and/or research, a description of these activities should be included in the appointee s appointment file. U of Utah Associate Professor Professor The individual must be board certified in his/her specialty. She/he should have been in clinical practice for at least seven years to be eligible for appointment to this rank or have been in the rank of Assistant Professor for at least five years to be eligible to be considered for promotion to this rank (i.e., review for promotion will take place in the sixth year.) The individual should be recognized as a teacher, mentor, or role model for students and trainees. 1. Teaching: Using teaching schedules, evaluations, or other materials the individual: o Should demonstrate a continuing commitment to teaching. Some examples of this commitment are: Mentoring medical students, other students, and residents. Lecturing in the medical student curriculum and/or other academic programs. Lecturing at grand rounds and other local teaching sessions. Developing/directing regional postgraduate course. o Should interact with trainees one-on-one in a positive way. o Should have demonstrated success in teaching. Some examples of this success are: Achieving above average teaching evaluations. Winning a teaching award. The individual must be board certified in her/his specialty. He/she should have been in clinical practice for at least 13 years to be eligible for appointment to this rank or have been in the rank of Associate Professor for at least five years to be eligible to be considered for promotion to this rank. She/he should have demonstrated excellent clinical skills and an interest in teaching to be appointed in this rank or have demonstrated excellent clinical and teaching skills if being promoted to this rank. 1. Teaching: Using teaching schedules, evaluations, or other materials the individual: o Should demonstrate a continuing commitment to teaching. Some examples of this commitment are: Mentoring medical students, other students, and residents. Lecturing in the medical student curriculum and/or other academic programs. Lecturing at grand rounds and other local teaching sessions. Lecturing at regional or national meetings. o Should interact with trainees one-on-one in a positive way. o Should be an accomplished teacher. Some examples of this accomplishment are: Achieving above average teaching evaluations.
Serving as a visiting professor at other institutions. 2. Administration: The individual should have competently discharged assignments on departmental, School of Medicine, hospital, or institutional committees. 3. Clinical: The individual should be recognized by peers, immediate supervisors, and community physicians as having excellent clinical skills and performance. Some examples of this recognition are: Acting as a consulting physician. Devising a new method or procedure. 4. Scholarship: The individual should have demonstrated continuing ability and interest in scholarly activity. Acceptable scholarly accomplishment includes but is not limited to co-authorship or primary contributions to the following, in no particular order: Peer-reviewed manuscripts or case reports. Review articles. Textbooks or chapters. Editorial service. Electronic media. Letters to the editor Syllabus materials. Special workshops or laboratories. Development of evidence based guidelines - must demonstrate clear utilization in academic unit(s) Winning a local or national teaching award. Serving as a visiting professor at other institutions. Supervising a training program. 2. Administration: The individual should have participated in departmental and school policy making by serving on departmental, School of Medicine, hospital, or institutional committees. 3. Clinical: The individual should be recognized as an authority within his/her specialty. Some examples of this recognition are: Being known regionally or nationally as an expert clinician. Attracting patients from a regional or national area. Serving as a clinical consultant on a regional or national level. 4. Scholarship: The individual should have demonstrated continuing ability and interest in scholarly activity. Acceptable scholarly accomplishment includes but is not limited to coauthorship or primary contributions to the following, in no particular order: Peer-reviewed manuscripts or case reports. Review articles. Textbooks or chapters. Editorial service. Electronic media. Letters to the editor Syllabus materials. Special workshops or laboratories. U of Florida Miscellaneous Notes A faculty member will be awarded tenure and/or promotion based on a record of superior achievement in the major academic missions. The University describes the major areas of academic achievements on which faculty will be evaluated: (A) Teaching Instruction, including regular classroom teaching and distance/executive/continuing education, direction of theses and dissertations, academic advisement, extension education programs, and all preparation for this work, including study to keep abreast of one s field. (B) Research Research or other creative activity including
publications. (C) Service Public and professional. (D) Patient Care. U of Arkansas Miscellaneous Notes Associate Professor Professor Clinical Educators are expected to participate in the full range of academic activities of the College, typically with emphasis placed on teaching, clinical care, and scholarship related to either or both of those mission areas. Qualifications: Service as an Assistant Professor with a record of significant accomplishments in teaching and/or clinical efforts and/or academic service. Excellence is expected in at least two of these three areas. Teaching/Mentoring Evidence of high quality teaching demonstrated through formal peer and trainee evaluations and/or teaching awards Research/Scholarly Work Peer-review is required of educational scholarship, appreciating that some local contributions may obtain local rather than national peer-review. Clinical Service Continued evidence of a high level of competence and diligence in a clinical area Leadership/Administrative Service Leadership role in section, hospital, or department. For Clinician Educators whose primary emphasis is education - successful and sustained leadership of a training program such as clerkship, residency or fellowship program. Qualifications: Service to all mission areas of the College as an Associate Professor with a record of significant contributions in teaching and/or clinical service and/or scholarly endeavors and academic service. Outstanding contributions are expected in at least two of these four areas. Teaching/Mentoring The teaching performance of a candidate for Professor should serve as a standard of excellence for colleagues Research/Scholarly Work Demonstration of outstanding scholarship by development and dissemination of original teaching materials, such as widely used textbooks, new curricular offerings, educational program, syllabi, or electronic media Clinical Service Continued evidence of a high level of competence and diligence in a clinical area Leadership/Administrative Service Demonstration of collegiality, professionalism, and leadership in department or institution Albert Einstein Baylor Miscellaneous Notes At Albert Einstein College of Medicine, promotions are based on excellence in 3 areas: teaching, research and leadership in patient care. There are no hard and fast rules and strength in one area can compensate for lack of strength in others. Professor of Neurology usually implies a substantial research contribution; Professor of Clinical Neurolgy emphasizes clinical and teaching contributions. Applications are reviewed by 2-3 reviewers who are not necessarily member of the Promotions Committee and their recommendation is passed on to the full committee. Tenure is a nebulous concept at Einstein in that tenure does not imply that you must be paid in perpetuity. It is merely an assurance that you can continue as a member of the faculty. Miscellaneous Notes Clinical faculty are considered for promotion based on accomplishments in several areas i.e. teaching, administration, service, research,etc. Accomplishments in all areas is not required but at least significant activity in two and some accomplishment in others was helpful. The accomplishments must be well documented. If the clinician does not do significant clinical research, recognition of expertise could be documented by authoring book chapters,etc. For educators
developing educational materials, new programs, and publication in educational journals is helpful. There are not department specific criteria and therefore none specifically designated for neurology educators. The College developed mechanisms whereby faculty can develop "portfolios" to help document their activities and accomplishments. Obtaining several of these helps faculty achieve promotion especially from the assistant to associate professor level. Harvard Medical School Miscellaneous Notes Harvard Medical School no longer has teacher/educator criteria for promotion. All promotions are made with an area of emphasis that must be selected from the following three: clinical expertise and innovation; investigation; and educational innovation. The latter is for people who publish in peer reviewed journals about the science of education. All three areas must be supported by evidence of education, which may include student, post-graduate, resident or other groups. In my experience thus far, most former clinician/educator criteria people are selecting clinical expertise and innovation as their area of emphasis. At Harvard Medical School the various levels translate into: instructor (entry level); assistant professor (local reputation); associate professor (regional reputation); professor (national reputation). Supporting data for clinician/educator types are: papers, chapters, electronic media, books, national and international presentations, national and international society positions. Successful promotion depends upon objective evidence of contributions which change the way in which medicine is practiced and/or taught.