Promotions Criteria

What kind of activities demonstrate professional growth?

This may vary according to the faculty member’s specific tasks and interests, but many scholarly activities can demonstrate professional growth: teaching a course, giving outside presentations, carrying out research, developing new techniques, or organizing a significant academic activity. All these activities, however, should have a product, whether it be a published paper, a new curriculum that is written in full detail, a series of Power Point presentations, a published case report, or a patent. It is not sufficient to simply be present, whether it is on the clinic floor or in the lecture room.

Activities appropriate for professional growth may well be suggested by the faculty member’s chair. Indeed, it is best for the Chair to be aware of professional activities so that the faculty member can be guided in ways that would position them for promotion and may help the department and the school.

Unmodified Track

Assistant Professor to Associate Professor (minimum of three years): The promotion criteria and measures for unmodified non-tenure-track faculty are the same as for tenure-track and are defined in the Faculty Handbook, accessible at www.bu.edu/handbook.

Associate Professor to Professor (minimum of five years): The promotion criteria and measures for unmodified non-tenure-track faculty are the same as for tenure-track and are defined in the Faculty Handbook, accessible at www.bu.edu/handbook.

Clinical Track

Instructor to Clinical Assistant Professor (minimum of two years): Candidates for promotion to Clinical Assistant Professor will have previously held the rank of Instructor. The individual must demonstrate excellence in teaching or service or research/scholarship, and must have demonstrated continued activities and professional growth since the previous promotion or initial appointment. Individuals being considered for promotion to Clinical Assistant Professor will usually be developing a notable teaching skills. It is recognized that some criteria and measures may overlap across the three major areas of faculty development. Promotion is warranted on the basis of activities which are part of the traditional expectations of a faculty member (i.e., teaching, service, and research/scholarship), and not those related to purely administrative roles.

Clinical Assistant Professor to Clinical Associate Professor (minimum of three years): Candidates for promotion to Clinical Associate Professor will have previously held the rank of Assistant Professor in one of the three tracks (Non-tenure unmodified; Clinical; Research) for a minimum of three years. The individual must demonstrate excellence in teaching, service, or research/scholarship, and must have demonstrated continued activity and professional growth since the previous promotion or initial appointment. Individuals being considered for promotion to Clinical Associate Professor will usually be developing a notable reputation externally. It is recognized that some criteria and measures may overlap across the three major areas. Promotion is warranted on the basis of activities which are part of the traditional expectations of a faculty member (teaching, service, and research/scholarship), and not those related to tasks that are an integral part of an administrative position. To download and view the full set of criteria, click here.

Clinical Associate Professor to Clinical Professor (minimum of five years): Candidates for promotion to Clinical Professor will have previously held the rank of Associate Professor in one of the three tracks (Non-tenure unmodified; Clinical; Research) for a minimum of five years. The individual must demonstrate excellence in two of the three areas of teaching, service, or research/ scholarship, and must have demonstrated continued activity and professional growth in both areas since the previous promotion.

Individuals being considered for promotion to Clinical Professor must demonstrate a notable national or international reputation externally. This reputation must be validated by objective metrics such as publications in reputable journals preferably as lead or senior author, national or international awards, leadership in professional organizations. It is recognized that some criteria and measures may overlap across the three major areas. Promotion is warranted on the basis of activities which are part of the traditional expectations of a faculty member (i.e., teaching, service, and research/ scholarship), and not those related to tasks that are an integral part of an administrative position. To download and view the full set of criteria, click here.

Research Track

Faculty whose titles include a Research prefix are scientists whose responsibilities are principally centered on research activities. Research faculty are typically engaged in assigned projects under the aegis of a senior scientist and generally depend on others for funding and for research direction. Although faculty in the Research track are encouraged to seek external funding and to develop independence in their research direction, these are not required criteria for promotion in the Research track. It is expected that Research track faculty will dedicate nearly all of their time to research activities. Consistent with this, promotion is judged by productivity in publications, participation in grants, and documentation of the importance of the faculty member as a technical and intellectual resource for the department and the dental school.

Research Assistant Professor to Research Associate Professor (minimum of three years): Candidates for promotion to Research Associate Professor will have previously held the rank of Assistant Professor in one of the three tracks (Non-tenure unmodified; Clinical; Research) for a minimum of three years. The individual must demonstrate excellence in research/scholarship, and must have demonstrated continued activity and professional growth since the previous promotion or initial appointment. Individuals being considered for promotion to Research Associate Professor will usually be developing a notable reputation externally. This reputation must be validated by objective metrics such as publications in reputable journals preferably as lead or senior author. Promotion is warranted on the basis of excellence in research/scholarship, and not related to tasks that are an integral part of an administrative position. 

Research Associate Professor to Research Professor (minimum of five years): Candidates for promotion to Research Professor will have previously held the rank of Associate Professor in one of the three tracks (Non-tenure unmodified; Clinical; Research) for a minimum of five years. The individual must demonstrate excellence in research/scholarship, and must have demonstrated continued activity and professional growth since the previous promotion. Individuals being considered for promotion to Research Professor must demonstrate a notable national or international reputation. This reputation must be validated by objective metrics such as publications in reputable journals preferably as lead or senior author, and national or international awards. Promotion is warranted on the basis of excellence in research/scholarship, and not related to tasks that are an integral part of an administrative position.