Factors for promotion and tenure

This document is a statement of factors applied to tenure and promotion evaluations by the Department of Psychology. Candidates evaluated for tenure and promotion are evaluated for performance across three broad domains: scholarship, teaching and service. The factors involved in promotion decisions are quite similar to those used in tenure, but the emphasis on different elements varies.

Factors considered

Scholarship

The Department of Psychology expects candidates for tenure and promotion to have achieved excellent scholarly achievement demonstrated through substantial research projects that have been published (or accepted for publication). The candidate should recognize that publication of scholarship deemed valuable by the profession has been the most important factor for tenure recommendation at the college level. In establishing the quality of a person's scholarly work, the committee will take into account such factors as quality of the peer reviewed journals in which publications occur, publication of scholarly chapters and books, conference presentations, citations of the candidate's publications, the extent to which these publications provide evidence that the candidate has established an independent program of research and whether the program of research is likely to continue in productivity. Where appropriate, the persistence and success of efforts to secure available external support to enhance the quality of the candidate's research program is highly regarded. Recognition of professional achievement by the national and/or international community through activities such as an award received from a professional organization, being a journal editor and/or serving on professional or government committees will also be considered. Although not required, collaborative/team-based/interdisciplinary scholarship and publicly-engaged scholarship will also be considered, as will scholarship that advances diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in the professional, academic, local or broader public/global communities.

Teaching

High-quality teaching is essential for tenure and promotion. Quality of instructional activity will be assessed using such evidence as the candidate's prepared teaching portfolio, student course evaluations, evaluations of supervised graduate and undergraduate research, the initiation and development of courses and course materials, updating of existing courses, ability to teach at all levels and service on advisory and examining committees. Successful guidance of graduate and undergraduate students in their research and professional development are important aspects of teaching. Although not required, public lectures or other presentations to professionals, faculty and/or student groups within the university or community groups will also be considered, as will teaching contributions to DEI.

Service

Service is also an important component of faculty members' performance evaluation. Non-instructional service includes participation in committees and special assignments within the Department, assignments and elections to College-wide and University-wide committees and service outside the University that reflects on the individual's professional status. Although not required, service that advances DEI in the academy and more broadly in society will also be considered.

Revised by the Department of Psychology faculty and approved on Feb. 2, 2024
Approved by dean on Feb. 3, 2024