For faculty resources specific to this process, review the Division policies and College polices.
The Division of Business, Health, Humanities and Social Sciences represents diverse disciplines and requires a balanced, flexible, and equitable promotion policy for non-tenure-line faculty consistent with the directives and spirit of University Academic Policies AC21 and AC23. In broad terms, this policy is intended to ensure that non-tenure-line faculty in our Division are effective teachers; engage in efforts in innovation, professional growth, subject matter mastery and/or scholarship/creative achievement; and contribute to the university and professional community through service. Reviews shall be conducted with due respect and confidentiality.
Eligibility for Promotion
Candidates for promotion to the second rank become eligible for review in their fifth year of full-time service and may compile and submit their dossiers during that year. Exceptions in instances of particular merit are permitted.
There is no fixed time period for promotion to the third rank. Reviews for promotions should be conducted solely with regard to the merit of the candidate.
Criteria for Promotion
The Division Non-Tenure-Line Faculty Promotion Review Committee, formed via the process described below, will make its recommendations for non-tenure-line faculty promotion based on careful review of all the available evidence in relation to the following criteria:
Scholarship of Teaching and Learning
Effective teaching is critical for promotion. Although most teaching occurs in the classroom, teaching is understood in its broadest sense and may include a variety of contacts with students such as advising, independent studies, and engaged scholarship. It is essential that the instructor communicates effectively, is fair and objective, and maintains sound academic standards in evaluation of students. Student ratings shall be obtained using the Student Rating of Teaching Effectiveness (SRTE) and the Student Educational Experience Questionnaire (SEEQ) in accordance with the University Administrative Guidelines for AC23. However, evaluation of teaching effectiveness will go beyond the administering of SRTEs and SEEQs. Peer evaluations will be conducted in accordance with the Division's Guidelines for Peer Evaluation of Teaching Effectiveness and the Second Form of Student Evaluation.
Innovation, Professional Growth, Subject Matter Mastery, Scholarship/Creative Achievement
It is essential that non-tenure-line faculty maintain currency in their teaching discipline to perform as effective program instructors. In addition, this enhances the degree of continuity among all faculty—tenure-line and non-tenure-line faculty—teaching in a disciplinary program for the College. Promotion as non-tenure-line faculty requires some concrete evidence of efforts in innovation, professional growth, subject matter mastery and/or scholarship/creative achievement; however, achievements in this domain are not construed narrowly. Traditional ways of demonstrating efforts in innovation, professional growth, subject matter master and/or scholarship/creative achievement include attending professional conferences and enrolling in continuing education courses. Additional criteria supporting the awarding of promotion may include, but are not limited to, the following: Publishing professional research or academic articles, books, and/or reports; presenting at professional conferences, workshops, symposia, or seminars; designing pedagogical, evaluation or assessment materials; developing curriculum or program materials; submitting research, program or grant proposals; creating community-based projects or programs aimed at supporting students and community partners; creative accomplishments; and, developing and/or implementing outreach activities that utilize the candidate’s expertise.
Service and the Scholarship of Service to the University, Society, and the Profession
The Division values service as part of a long-term professional trajectory for faculty. Service comes in many forms but primarily falls into four categories: service to the institution, community and civic engagement, community outreach, and service to the discipline or profession. The College’s statement on Service and the Scholarship of Service to the University, Society, and the Profession provides guidance. The scope (e.g., short-term or ongoing), the method of attainment (e.g., elected, invited, volunteered), the leadership potential (e.g., member or chair), and the impactful nature (e.g., robust participation versus mere attendance) are all considered in the evaluation of the faculty member’s service commitments. Ultimately, the Division does not view service as a series of disconnected actions or “add-ons” to a busy schedule. It is viewed as an essential part of a well-functioning academic unit, College and University.
Elaboration on Promotion to the Third Rank
A candidate for promotion to the third rank (Associate Teaching Professor for faculty without a terminal degree or Teaching Professor for faculty with terminal degree) is expected to demonstrate continued effectiveness as a teacher while in the second rank; and must show evidence of innovation, professional growth, scholarship/creative achievement, and/or mastery of subject matter at a level of distinction beyond the level presented at the time of promotion to the second rank. More specifically, the candidate must meet the criteria described below in the areas of teaching; innovation, professional growth, subject matter mastery, and/or scholarship/creative achievement; and service.
Scholarship of Teaching and Learning
Evidence of continued effectiveness and excellence in this area may include, but is not limited to,
- student evaluations,
- peer evaluations,
- student interviews,
- letters from former students,
- portfolios, and/or
- advising evaluations as applicable.
The distinction in teaching necessary to attain the third rank may also be supported through documentation indicating exceptional performance in the following areas:
- supervision of internships,
- supervision of clinical experience,
- supervision of undergraduate research and creative activity,
- contributions to the development of curriculum as well as development and implementation of new courses,
- study abroad and study away courses, and/or
- making significant pedagogical improvements through unique collaborations, interdisciplinary course projects, multi-semester or linked courses, and/or program assessment activities.
Distinction may also be characterized by:
- contributions to the pedagogical improvements of other faculty members (especially junior faculty),
- providing mentoring or training new faculty advisors,
- creating programming aimed at tracking, evaluating, or improving academic advising at Penn State Altoona,
- efforts aimed at student retention, and/or
- developing other unique programs associated with student engagement.
Innovation, professional growth, subject matter mastery, scholarship/creative achievement
Evidence of high-quality performance in this area required for promotion is not limited to, but may include the following:
- Innovation and Scholarly/Creative accomplishments
- Curricular and programmatic development
- Development of new instructional methods
- Creations, exhibitions, productions, performances of artistic expression
- Research related events leading to presentation of new work
- Participation in individual or institutional grant proposals
- Development of infrastructure in support of research or academics
- Professional growth and Subject matter mastery
- Publications within one’s discipline
- Participation in professional meetings and symposia
- Continuing education, significant study and research
- Pedagogy and advising
- Outreach
- Activities representative of professional expertise
- Leadership roles in community, regional, state or national organizations
Service to the College, University, public, and the profession
Evidence of high-quality performance in service shall reflect division-wide, College-wide, and/or University-wide reputation for meaningful activity aimed at improving the overall academic or professional experience of students, faculty colleagues, and/or staff.
These activities may include, but are not limited to,
- leadership or significant active participation in service on division, college, and/or university committees,
- professional service to the local community,
- organizing workshops or programs for the College and the local community,
- administrative support work,
- service to student groups, and/or operational support of research or academic infrastructure.
Division Non-Tenure-Line Promotion Review Committee Composition
As mandated by AC21, the Division will form a Non-Tenure-Line Promotion Review Committee by the second week in April. All eligible Division non-tenure-line faculty members will be asked to indicate if they would be willing to serve, and from the willing faculty a committee will be elected within the following constraints:
Composition
- The committee will be composed of three members representing three different disciplines within the Division.
- Only non-tenure-line faculty members of a higher rank than the candidates undergoing review are eligible to serve on the committee(s).
- The Division Head will appoint committee members from outside the Division (or the College) if necessary to meet these requirements or to replace elected members who are unable to serve.
Selection
- A slate of eligible non-tenure-line faculty members will be created.
- Only non-tenure-line faculty members are eligible to vote for the members of the review committee.
- If more than three non-tenure-line faculty are willing to serve, an election will be conducted using approval voting. The top three candidate(s) receiving the greatest number of votes will serve on the committee.
- In the event of a tie, a second vote by non-tenure-line faculty will select the candidate. Should a tie remain after this vote, the Division Head will select from the remaining candidates.
- In the event there is only one or two non-tenure-line faculty members willing to serve on the committee, they will be automatically appointed to committee by the Division Head.
- If there are no or not enough available higher-ranked non-tenure-line faculty within the Division, exceptions to this policy may be requested from the Chancellor. The Division Executive Committee shall be responsible for making recommendations on how to deal with exceptions. Once approved by the BHHSS Executive Committee, recommendations will be forwarded by the Division Head to the Vice Chancellor and Chancellor and Dean of the College. The requested exception is then vetted for final approval through the Office of the Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs.
- Committee terms are for one promotion and tenure cycle.
Division Promotion of Full-Time, Fixed-Term or Standing Non-Tenure-Line Faculty Guidelines
- Approved by Division Fixed-term faculty February 14, 2018
- Revised by Division Fixed-Term Review Committee March 19, 2019
- Approved by Division Fixed-Term faculty May 7, 2019
- Updated May 25, 2023
- Revised and Approved April 21, 2025