Ranks and Professional Standards for Rank
Centre College recognizes four Faculty ranks: Instructor, Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, and Professor. All ranks may be held with either a regular or a visiting appointment. Rank at the time of initial appointment shall be determined by the Dean of the College after consultation with the search committee. Professional standards for each rank are stated below. (The language for Associate Professor and Professor have been changed according to the Minutes of the Faculty Meeting on April 17, 2017 and approved by the Board of Trustees at the October 2017 meeting.)
Instructor
An Instructor shall hold a post-baccalaureate degree or its equivalent in training or in tangible scholarly achievement. Normally, this person shall be pursuing a terminal degree.
Assistant Professor
An Assistant Professor shall have terminal degree in their field of study (Ph.D., MFA, e.g.) or its equivalent in training or tangible scholarly achievement. To be appointed or promoted to the rank of Assistant Professor, a person shall show promise of effectiveness in teaching and scholarly work.
Associate Professor
An Associate Professor shall have met the standards for Assistant Professor and shall have attained a strong record of effective teaching. Faculty candidates for promotion are expected to have maintained professional competence and academic currency as marked by scholarly and professional activity and achievement outlined in the previous section. Successful candidates should have evidence of meaningful service to the College and campus community.
Professor
A Professor shall have met the standards for Associate Professor and shall have maintained a strong record of effective teaching, established and maintained a record of significant scholarly and professional activity and achievement, and sustained meaningful service to the College and community.