Delta State University Policies

Home » Delta State University Policies » University Policies » Employment » Faculty » Faculty Positions Policy

Faculty Positions Policy

POLICY STATEMENT

This policy defines and establishes the qualifications for each faculty position by type.

DEFINITIONS

Titled Faculty

A titled faculty member is one who has been appointed without rank to a faculty position, and includes adjunct, artist-in-residence, instructor, scholar-in-residence, and visiting lecturer. Titled faculty members are not eligible for, nor do they accrue, any credit toward academic tenure. There are no employment rights beyond the appointment terms. All hires must have verified credentials to teach the courses for which they are employed.

Ranked Faculty

TENURE TRACK

Faculty with academic rank on the tenure track include Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, and Professor. These are tenure-track or tenured positions.

NON-TENURE TRACK

Faculty with academic rank not on the tenure track include Assistant Professor of Practice, Associate Professor of Practice, and Professor of Practice.

All hires must have verified credentials to teach the courses for which they are employed.

PROCEDURES and RESPONSIBILITIES

Titled Faculty

Adjunct Faculty

Adjunct Faculty are part-time faculty members hired to teach specific courses, supervise practicums or field experiences, work on grants or contracts, or for other academic purposes based solely on the needs of the University. All adjunct faculty appointments shall be for specific periods of time. Adjunct appointment may be renewable on a semester to semester basis or as needed.

Additional information regarding the employment and compensation of adjunct faculty are located at: https://www.deltastate.edu/policies/policy/university-policies/employment/classification/adjunct-faculty/.

Artist-in-Residence

A person who renders a specified service to the University based on professional attainments, creative accomplishments and/or recognition in one’s field.

Instructor

A person appointed to teach courses in one’s area of expertise who demonstrates ability in teaching and service appropriate to the discipline and a commitment to continuing professional development in the fields appropriate to the faculty member’s discipline. The position is full-time with a teaching load of 24 load hours per fall and spring.

Scholar-in-Residence

A person who renders a specified service to the University based on professional attainments and recognition in one’s field of work and/or scholarship. The position may be full or part time based on the needs of the university.

Visiting Lecturer

A person hired to teach a specific course(s) that has a permanent position at another educational institution or business and is associated with Delta State while on leave from that other institution or is a retired faculty from another educational institution. A visiting lecturer may also possess a ranked title if the lecturer possesses the qualifications for such rank. The position may be full or part time based on the needs of the university.

Ranked Faculty

Assistant Professor

This rank requires ability in the areas of teaching, scholarship, and service appropriate to the discipline. It also requires an earned doctorate or other terminal degree in the field.

Associate Professor

This rank requires a demonstrated, sustained record of 1) excellent teaching; 2) scholarship or creative activities; and 3) service to the university, profession, and the community. It also requires an earned doctorate or other terminal degree in the field and six years of teaching at the rank of Assistant Professor or above at a regionally accredited institution of higher education or equivalent professional experience.

Professor

This rank requires being an internally and externally recognized teacher/scholar with an exemplary cumulative record of 1) excellent teaching; 2) substantial accomplishment in scholarship or creative activities which has led to recognition in professional circles at the state, regional, or national level; and 3) service to the university, the profession, and the community. It also requires an earned doctorate or other terminal degree and the completion of twelve years of university teaching experience with five years of teaching experience in the rank of Associate Professor or above at a regionally accredited institution of higher education.

Assistant Professor of Practice

A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in an appropriate field related to the teaching assignment and a record of professional practice related to the teaching assignment.

Associate Professor of Practice

This rank requires a demonstrated, sustained record of 1) excellent teaching; 2) professional practice; and (3) service to the university, the field of practice, and community.

Professor of Practice

This rank requires being an internally and externally recognized teacher/practitioner with an exemplary cumulative record of 1) excellent teaching; 2) substantial accomplishments in professional practice; and 3) service to the university, the field of practice, and the community. It also requires completion of twelve years of university teaching experience with five years of teaching experience in the rank of Associate Professor of Practice or above at a regionally accredited institution of higher education.

Responsible Office and/or Policy Owner: Office of Academic Affairs