4.4 Definition of Faculty Rank

The Faculty Senate recognizes the following definitions to delineate faculty rank within FNU.

Teaching Assistant: An individual that has practiced in field and is credentialed with certificates, diplomas and serves as an assistant to the Core Faculty member during lab and practical component of courses.

Adjunct Faculty: An individual who teaches courses in the university in addition to evaluating students and conducting student conferences. The individual may also develop lectures, conduct seminars and serve other administrative rules within the department. However, this level of faculty is considered part time. They are not eligible for any benefits.

Instructor: An individual that has practiced in field and is credentialed with a minimum of an associate’s or bachelor’s degree. This can be unrelated to primary field of focus. The individual, however, obtains enough academic credits within accreditation and department of education guidelines to serve as a Primary Faculty member.

Assistant Professor: An individual that has practiced in field and is credentialed a minimum of a master’s degree. This can be unrelated to primary field of focus however obtains enough academic credits within accreditation and department of education guidelines to serve as a Primary faculty member

Associate Professor: An individual that has practiced in field and is credentialed minimum of a master’s degree. This can be unrelated to primary field of focus. The individual, however, obtains enough academic credits within accreditation and department of education guidelines to serve as a Primary Faculty member and has at least five (5) years of academic teaching experience.

Professor: An individual that is currently licensed or credentialed in their primary field and who possesses a terminal academic degree such as an EdD or PhD, who also obtains enough academic credits within accreditation and department of education guidelines to serve as a Core Faculty member and has at least five (5) years of academic teaching experience.

Senior Professor: An individual that is currently licensed or credentialed in their primary field and who possesses a terminal degree such as an EdD or PhD, who also obtains enough academic credits within accreditation and department of education guidelines to serve as a Primary Faculty member, has at least seven (10) years of academic teaching experience and has held at minimum two (2) years of an administrative title within the institution (can be concurrent), or held at minimum 5 years of an Administrative title at another higher education institution..

It is the responsibility of all Primary Faculty members to submit the appropriate form to the Office of Academic Affairs for review and conferral of the proper faculty designation, and/or to grant a designation change.

Faculty members who do not submit this form, are only permitted to use the designation of Adjunct Faculty, Faculty or Instructor. Faculty are not authorized to use any of these designators without approval from the Office of Academic Affairs.