VCOM Faculty Handbook

Academic Rank Full-time, part-time and adjunct faculty, regardless of track, will be appointed to one of the following academic ranks: • Assistant Instructor • Instructor

• Assistant Professor • Associate Professor • Professor

Academic rank will be assigned according to the criteria stated under Faculty Appointments and Promotion and is subject to approval by the appropriate Campus Dean, Provost, and final approval of the Board.

Assistant Instructor Appointment to the rank of Assistant Instructor requires a minimum of a bachelor’s degree that is relevant to the faculty member’s teaching or research position at VCOM. with expertise in the subject area appropriate to their research and/or the subject being taught. Before being hired, the faculty member must have been reviewed and have obtained a written endorsement from the Associate Dean for Curriculum, Assessment and Medical Education; the Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs; or the Associate Dean for OMS 4 and GME with written approval by the Campus Dean as to having the appropriate expertise to teach or perform research in their area of expertise (required by accreditation to teach at the doctoral level if holding a bachelor’s degree). Instructor Appointment to the rank of Instructor requires a minimum of a master’s degree or a health sciences terminal degree that is relevant to the faculty member’s teaching or research position at VCOM. Before being hired, the faculty member must have been reviewed and have obtained a written endorsement from the Associate Dean for Curriculum, Assessment and Medical Education; the Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs; or the Associate Dean for OMS 4 and GME with written approval by the Campus Dean as to having the appropriate expertise to teach or perform research in their area of expertise (required by accreditation to teach at the doctoral level if holding a master’s degree). Additionally, residents with a DO or MD degree at VCOM core sites who actively contribute to the instruction of VCOM students in the clinical setting as part of their residency requirements may be appointed to the rank of Instructor. However, residents may not serve as a clinical preceptor for students. Appointment of eligible residents to the rank of Instructor is granted only for the length of their residency at a VCOM core site. Once residency is completed, should they wish to serve as a preceptor for VCOM, these physicians can apply for re appointment at the rank of Assistant Professor. Assistant Professor Appointment at the Assistant Professor level is reserved for candidates who have the potential and qualifications to make a sustained contribution to the academic mission of VCOM and who are assigned to an academic discipline or department to perform teaching and/or research. Appointment or promotion to the rank of Assistant Professor requires a doctoral-level degree in a subject area appropriate to their expertise and is considered an entry level rank for those faculty who hold a doctoral degree. The rank is also appropriate for VCOM employed fellows who are in a VCOM affiliated fellowship program and have responsibilities in teaching and/or research at VCOM.

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