Fixed-Term Faculty Titles

Lecture hall full of many students

Titles for Teaching Fixed-Term Faculty

  • Teaching Instructor  
    • holds, at a minimum, a master’s degree appropriate to the area of instruction, or has equivalent professional qualifications  
    • has demonstrated potential for effective teaching and/or other instructional responsibilities
  • Senior Teaching Instructor  
    • has qualifications of Teaching Instructor
    • has demonstrated excellence in teaching and/or other instructional responsibilities
    • engages in professional development activities
  • Master Teaching Instructor
    • This title is normally appropriate for a Senior Teaching Instructor who has a minimum of six consecutive years of full-time service in that title or has equivalent professional qualifications and has met the following criteria:
      • Has demonstrated excellence in teaching
      • Has established an excellent professional reputation among colleagues
      • Is qualified and competent in mentoring others (such as students, instructors, etc.) In recognition of the ongoing record of excellence represented by this title, an appointment of up to five years should be considered.
  • Teaching Assistant Professor  
    • has qualifications of Senior Teaching Instructor  
    • holds the appropriate terminal degree, or alternate professional qualifications, as evaluated by their academic unit
  • Teaching Associate Professor  
    • has qualifications of Teaching Assistant Professor  
    • has demonstrated superior teaching ability and/or other instructional responsibilities  
  • Teaching Professor  
    • has qualifications of Teaching Associate Professor
    • has established an excellent professional reputation among colleagues
    • is qualified and competent in mentoring others (such as graduate students, teaching instructors, etc.) 

    Titles for Research Fixed-Term Faculty

    • Research Instructor  
      • holds a minimum of a master’s degree appropriate for the specific position or has alternate professional qualifications.  
      • has demonstrated potential for effective research 
      • should be capable of carrying out individual research or should be trained in research procedures  
      • should have the experience and specialized training necessary to develop and interpret data required for success in such research projects as may be undertaken  
    • Research Assistant Professor
      • has qualifications of Research Instructor  
      • holds the appropriate terminal degree, or alternate professional qualifications, as evaluated by their academic unit  
      • has demonstrated effectiveness in research  
      • is qualified and competent to direct the work of others (such as. technicians, graduate students, etc.)  
    • Research Associate Professor  
      • has qualifications of Research Assistant Professor  
      • has extensive successful experience in scholarly or creative endeavors  
      • has the ability to propose, develop, and manage major research projects 
    • Research Professor  
      • has qualifications Research Associate Professor
      • has established an excellent reputation among colleagues
      • has demonstrated scholarly production in research, publications, professional achievements, or other distinguished and creative activity 

      Titles for Clinical Fixed-Term Faculty

      • Clinical Instructor  
        • holds, at a minimum, a graduate degree appropriate for the specific position or has equivalent professional experience
        • has demonstrated potential in clinical practice and teaching in the field
      • Clinical Assistant Professor  
        • has qualifications of Clinical Instructor
        • holds the appropriate professional degree, as evaluated by their academic unit
        • has training and experience in an area of specialization
        • has demonstrated expertise in clinical practice and teaching and other instructional responsibilities in the discipline
      • Clinical Associate Professor
        • has qualifications of Clinical Assistant Professor  
        • has extensive successful experience in clinical or professional practice in an area of specialization, or in a subdivision of the specialty area, and in working with and/or directing others in clinical activities in the field
      • Clinical Professor  
        • has qualifications of Clinical Associate Professor
        • has established an outstanding reputation of excellence in clinical practice and teaching and/or other instructional responsibilities 

        Fixed-Term Titles for Library Faculty

        • Library Assistant Professor  
          • holds the appropriate terminal degree, or alternate professional qualifications, as evaluated by their academic unit
          • has demonstrated evidence of, or potential for, the following: effective teaching and/or other professional responsibilities; continued professional growth; service to the Library; service to the University, and/or to the profession; a record of contributions to scholarship/creative activity, if applicable
        • Library Associate Professor
          • has qualifications of Library Assistant Professor  
          • has demonstrated: substantive accomplishments in professional performance
          • collegiality and professional integrity; substantial and continued professional growth; sustained institutional; and professional service
          • has a record of regular contributions to scholarship/creative activity  
        • Library Professor
          • has qualifications of Library Associate Professor  
          • has demonstrated: sustained and substantive accomplishments in professional performance; collegiality and professional integrity  
          • has demonstrated: superior knowledge and mastery of assigned area of specialization; and exemplary institutional and professional service 
          • has attained national or international recognition as an authority and leader in the assigned area of specialization
          • has a sustained and substantive record of scholarship/creative activity 

          Additional Faculty Appointments

          • Adjunct Instructor; Adjunct Assistant Professor; Adjunct Associate Professor; Adjunct Professor:  
            • These titles are used to appoint outstanding persons who have a primary employment responsibility outside the university or in a different department in the university and who bring some specific professional expertise to the academic program. These positions are typically unfunded.  
          • Affiliate Instructor; Affiliate Assistant Professor; Affiliate Associate Professor; Affiliate Professor:  
            • These titles are used in the School of Medicine to appoint outstanding persons who have a primary employment responsibility outside the university and who bring some specific professional expertise to the academic program. These positions are typically unfunded.
          • Artist-in-Residence; Writer-in-Residence:  
            • These titles are used to designate temporary appointments, at any salary and experience level, of persons who are serving for a limited time or part-time and who are not intended to be considered for professorial appointment.
          • Visiting Instructor; Visiting Assistant Professor; Visiting Associate Professor; Visiting Professor.
            • The prefix “visiting” before an academic title is used to designate a short- term full-time or part-time appointment without tenure. Therefore, the visiting title shall not be used for periods of time beyond the initial contract period. It shall be used only for those fixed-term faculty members who are visitors, temporary replacements, or for whose disciplines the institution in good faith expects to have only a short-term need. Use of the visiting title for an individual for more than 3 years is a misuse of this title.

           View in Part VIII Section I 3a “Personnel Policies and Procedures for the Faculty of East Carolina University”