PPM 8-8, Credit for Time Served in Rank at Accredited Institutions
	Responsible Office: Academic Affairs

1.0 PURPOSE

 

This policy establishes the criteria and process for granting credit to tenure-track faculty for full-time service previously completed at other accredited institutions.

 

2.0    REFERENCES

 

2.1    PPM 8-11, Evaluation of Faculty Members

 

3.0    POLICY

 

3.1 Credit Toward Probationary Period and Time in Rank

 

The University may give a new faculty member credit for full-time service previously completed at accredited institutions of higher education, including this University. This credit may apply to both the probationary (pre-tenure) period and the minimum time in rank required before future promotions.

 

3.2 Determining and Approving Prior Service Credit

 

In general, up to two years of prior service may be counted. The amount of credit—and which institutions it comes from—must be jointly agreed upon by the candidate, the Department Chair, the Dean, and the Provost.

In exceptional cases, more than two years may be granted. If more than two years of credit is to be considered, the Provost must also review the recommendation of the College Ranking Tenure Evaluation Committee.

 

3.3 Eligibility and Exceptions for Early Tenure Based on Prior Experience

 

Candidates who receive credit for prior service toward tenure and promotion must be employed full-time in their tenure-track faculty position for at least four years before being granted early tenure and early promotion to Associate Professor. Such faculty are eligible to apply for early tenure and promotion during their fourth year of employment.

An exception to the four-year minimum requirement may be granted to candidates who have established a significant record of achievement in teaching, scholarship, and/or service at other universities. Any exception to this minimum service rule requires agreement from all of the following: The Department Ranking Tenure Evaluation Committee (or, if no committee exists, a majority of tenured faculty in the department), the Department Chair, and the Dean.

 

3.4 Documentation Requirements

 

This agreement shall be made in writing and shall become part of the candidate's professional file.

It is the Provost’s responsibility to ensure that this agreement is completed at the time of appointment. If the candidate is informed that a written agreement is required but no agreement is created, then the College Ranking Tenure Evaluation Committee cannot count any prior service when evaluating eligibility for promotion.

Revision History

Creation Date: 11-12-80

Amended: 07-08-93; 9-21-23; 03.18.2026