Appointment of Faculty | Lifespan Development & Educational Sciences Faculty Handbook | Kent State University

Appointment of Faculty

Faculty Appointments

Normally, an earned doctoral degree in a related discipline is required for all Faculty appointments to a tenure‐track position in the School.
Faculty Ranks
The basic definitions of Faculty ranks are the following:
Assistant Professor

This rank is normally the entry-level rank for tenure‐track Faculty holding the doctorate in an appropriate discipline.

Associate Professor

Hire to or promotion to this rank presumes prior service as an Assistant Professor, significant academic achievements, and possession of the doctorate in an appropriate discipline (Section V of this Handbook).

Professor

Promotion to this rank requires credentials and achievements beyond those required for promotion to Associate Professor, and is reserved for senior Faculty members who have achieved significant recognition in their discipline (Section V of this Handbook).

Emeriti Faculty

Emeritus status may be conferred according to University policy for faculty members who have demonstrated exemplary professional competence and university citizenship. Emeritus status may be granted following appropriate review and recommendation of a faculty member after a period of at least 10 years and at the time of retirement from full-time employment.
Other Faculty Appointments
Research Associate and Research Assistant

These ranks are reserved for individuals who are engaged in research and who are not normally assigned teaching responsibilities. Such positions are typically supported by extramural grant funds and are not tenure‐track appointments. Faculty members who hold these ranks do not vote on School committees and do not participate in School governance.

Adjunct Faculty Appointments

These appointments are primarily made to Faculty from other institutions or persons on the staff of community-based agencies and organizations. Adjunct Faculty appointments are made at the discretion of the Director in consultation with the FAC and approved by the Dean. Adjunct Faculty members do not vote on School Committees and do not participate in School governance.

Visiting Faculty Appointments

Visiting Faculty appointments at an appropriate Faculty rank may be made when leaves of absence occur or special needs arise and funds are available. A visiting Faculty member is typically a Faculty member from another institution who is employed by the School for a period not to exceed one (1) year. In the event that a Visiting Faculty member is employed in that capacity for a second consecutive year, the Faculty member will then become a full‐time non-tenure track (NTT) Faculty member.

Full-Time Non-Tenure Track Faculty (NTT) Appointments

Full-time non‐tenure track Faculty (NTT) appointments are made on an annual basis (Section VI of this Handbook). NTT Faculty members are entitled to those rights governed by the applicable Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Part-Time Faculty Appointments

When the School cannot meet its teaching needs from the ranks of its full-time tenured and tenure-track Faculty, full‐time non-tenure track (NTT) Faculty and graduate students, part-time Faculty appointments will be made from an established pool of qualified applicants not currently on regular appointment at the University. The Director, with the approval of the Dean, appoints part-time Faculty.

Graduate Faculty Status

As a doctoral degree granting School, the School normally requires that all Faculty hired for tenure‐track positions be eligible for appointment to the graduate Faculty as associate or full members. The Administrative policy regarding graduate Faculty is included in the University Policy Register (University Policy Register).