Promotion on the "At CUMC" Faculty Track

The process of promotion has clearly delineated steps and includes roles for the faculty member, their department and their school’s Committee on Appointments and Promotions (COAP). No time limits exist for promotion from one academic rank to another in the "at CUMC" track. Data relevant to promotion decisions may be added at any time prior to a decision by the school COAP.

While faculty are encouraged to develop one area of focus, it is understood that faculty may make substantive contributions to more than one area of focus, or to shift their area of focus over time. However, it is expected that contributions, irrespective of magnitude, will be of high quality. For the "at CUMC" track, it is common, though not required, for faculty to make contributions in more than one area of focus. By contrast tenured/tenure-track, faculty are expected to focus on research programs.

A faculty profile in the "at CUMC" track for consideration of promotion might be thought of as area under a curve by quantitatively different mixtures of high-quality academic activities. For example, academic productivity could include all three areas of focus, with investigation as the predominant area. In contrast, other faculty will have much more focus on clinical care and/or on education. All faculty must contribute to the educational mission.

At the time of promotion, all faculty contributions are considered. A faculty work profile might be thought of as area under a curve, with some faculty filling the area with a single type of work and others filling the area with more than one type of activity.

Evidence of Scholarly Accomplishments

Although research publications, funding, and presentations are standard scholarly products for investigators, educational products such as course syllabi, teaching demonstration materials, curricula development, educational assessment tools, and presentations at educational forums would be acceptable for those with an education focus. Similarly, for those with a focus in applied clinical and public health interventions, recognition based upon activities that impact practice paradigms, clinical programs, and patient or population outcomes would be appropriate.

A faculty member need not have examples of every type of scholarly product in their academic portfolio, but examples selected should be of sufficient quality to support an evaluation of excellence in the academic focus, and should be quantitatively appropriate to the academic rank and distribution of overall effort. Educational contributions are required of all faculty, though the type and quantity will vary with the academic focus.

Review all criteria for advancement by all professor ranks for all of the “at CUMC” areas of focus.

The Process of Promotion for Faculty with the "At CUMC" Title

While faculty are expected to be academically productive regardless of their area(s) of focus, there are no time limits for advancement in rank in the “at CUMC” title group. The promotion process for faculty with the "at CUMC" title resource provides guidance on the development of the promotion dossier and key players involved in the process. 

Guidance to Faculty on Promotion

The Office of Faculty Professional Development offers programs open to all CUIMC faculty. Programs provide assistance to faculty in career development within the context of the academic tracks as well as specific information on the promotion process.

  • Information on the processes for both tenure-track faculty and for faculty with “at CUMC” titles,

  • metrics for documenting excellence and achievement, and

  • considerations for promotion are available under "Other Resources".

Individual schools and departments within CUIMC may have additional guidelines for faculty advancement and promotion. Departments and schools also may offer individual support programs. Contact your department or school administrator for more information.