2.4.K. Specific/Supplementary Criteria for Associate Professors

 1. Appointment as Associate Professor (conferring tenure)

Appointment to the rank of Associate Professor with tenure will be reserved for an individual who has achieved true distinction in research and who is not only recognized as among the best in his or her cohort in a broadly defined field but also is likely to become one of the very best in the field.  The candidate should be capable of sustaining a first-rate teaching program, and (if he or she has clinical responsibilities) be an excellent clinician.  There should be evidence that the candidate will successfully fill the programmatic need for which the appointment is made and make meritorious contributions to his or her discipline and to the School.

2. Promotion to Associate Professor (conferring tenure)

Promotion to the rank of Associate Professor with tenure will be reserved for an individual who has achieved true distinction in research and who is not only recognized as among the best in his or her cohort in a broadly defined field but also is likely to become one of the very best in the field.  The candidate should be capable of sustaining a first-rate teaching program, and (if he or she has clinical responsibilities) be an excellent clinician.  There should be evidence that the candidate will successfully continue to fill the programmatic need for which the appointment is made and make meritorious contributions to his or her discipline and to the School.

For the timing of promotion consideration, see Section 2.4.G.

3. Appointment as Associate Professor (without tenure)

Appointment to the rank of Associate Professor (without tenure) is based upon evidence of the candidate’s performance at another institution of exceptionally meritorious research and a high level of teaching and clinical care (if applicable) activity.

At the time of appointment, it is expected that the candidate’s qualifications will be more advanced than those described for an Assistant Professor but less than those described for an Associate Professor with tenure, and that he or she will be on a career trajectory consistent with both Stanford standards and the standards of his or her discipline in scholarship, teaching and (if applicable) clinical care. There must be a realistic chance for the candidate to become tenured in the future on the basis of continuation of his or her work.

The term of appointment will generally be four years; time in service at Stanford without tenure is limited to seven years (or, with approved extensions, up to ten years).

4. Reappointment as Associate Professor (without tenure)

Associate Professors in the UTL are assessed for reappointment on the basis of their performance and achievements in the areas of scholarship, teaching and, if applicable, clinical care.  They may be reappointed based on evidence of progress, high-level performance, and their continuing to fill a programmatic need.  There should be evidence that the candidate will continue to make meritorious contributions to his/her discipline and to the School.

At the time of reappointment, it is expected that an untenured Associate Professor will be on a career trajectory consistent with both Stanford standards and the standards of his or her discipline in scholarship, teaching and (if applicable) clinical care. Candidates for reappointment should have compiled a record of excellent scholarly accomplishment since the time of the initial appointment. There must be a realistic chance for the candidate to become tenured in the future on the basis of continuation of his or her work.

The term of reappointment will customarily be up to three years; time in service at Stanford without tenure is limited to seven years (or, with approved extensions, up to ten years).

For the timing of reappointment consideration, see Section 2.4.G.

5. Promotion (without tenure)

This is rarely used; consult the Office of Academic Affairs.