5.5f Psychology & Counseling Tenure Policies
Pittsburg State University
Department of Psychology and Counseling
Tenure Guidelines
Granting tenure to a faculty member is one of the most important and far reaching decisions made by an academic department. Essentially, it is an inference about performance through an individual’s professional career based upon observations over, at most, the past four years. While promotion signifies acceptable levels of professional growth and productivity, tenure stands as a stark statement of professional acceptability in general. Thus, decisions regarding tenure must be made with consideration given to a broader and more comprehensive information base.
A faculty member cannot easily demonstrate the breadth and depth of their expertise within the brief timeframe of the probationary period. The faculty member’s performance is more a means of estimating potential in the future. In reaching a decision about tenure, the department is concerned about the person’s interpersonal and professional appropriateness, motivation, values, willingness to work, and eagerness to learn and adapt as much as they are one’s accomplishments in teaching, scholarly activity, and service. The latter areas can more reasonably be judged at the times of promotions. This question is as much, “Does the person have the attributes that will allow future accomplishments?” as it is, “Has the person demonstrated sufficient accomplishments?”
In addition to the requirement that a candidate for tenure hold the terminal degree (Ph.D., Ed.D., Psy.D.), the department recognizes three areas in which professional competence and achievement should be adequately demonstrated before tenure will be recommended. Further, one’s entire length of service in the department must be considered in reaching a decision.
Teaching
Teaching is a highly individualized endeavor with many acceptable models. Some criteria are more observable and measurable than others, however consideration must also be given to qualitative and subjective factors as well. A faculty member should submit student reactions data to the Department Chairperson for each course taught through the probationary period, unless exempted by the Chairperson. A faculty member should evidence acceptable levels of academic integrity and instructional rigor in his or her courses. The faculty member should establish a mentoring relationship with students both in and out of the classroom that facilitates learning.
The department has established the following minimum requirements in teaching for tenure to be recommended: (1) The faculty member must achieve a majority of meritorious annual performance ratings in teaching throughout the probationary period. (2) The faculty member must also show evidence of effectiveness in at least one of the following areas: Student advising, innovation in teaching content or delivery system, significant contribution to departmental programs, emerging leadership in departmental programs or content areas.
Scholarship
Scholarship in the department is primarily meant to include professional presentations and publications, but can be expanded to encompass other creative endeavors agreed upon by the faculty member and the Chairperson. The department has established as requirements for tenure two accomplishments during the probationary period: (1) one professional presentation at the state or national level, and (2) one professional publication in a refereed journal. The faculty member as researcher should also provide a mentoring role model to students.
Service
Service can include civic as well as professional activities. A faculty member is expected to show a willingness to serve the University through committees and other means. It is expected in such settings the faculty member will display appropriate and professional collegiality with other faculty, staff, and administrators.
To be recommended for tenure, the faculty member should demonstrate an increasing involvement in and commitment to service activities in the department, college, and university levels, and to the profession or the community through the probationary period. The faculty member must demonstrate collegial participation and active contribution in department committee work, and involvement in at least one service activity at the college or university level and at least one service activity for the community or the profession during the probationary period.
Revised 09/25/08 my documents\carol\winword\tenure\guidelines