Guidelines for Faculty Appointments & Promotions in the BU Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine
Introduction
Boston University Aram V. Chobanian & Edward Avedisian School of Medicine is committed to Boston University’s (BU) high academic standards for appointment and promotion described in the BU Faculty Handbook. All faculty must maintain high ethical and professional standards appropriate for role models for medical and graduate students in the health sciences. Chobanian & Avedisian SOM’s criteria for appointment and promotion recognize and reward a wide range of academic achievements.
Academic titles at Chobanian & Avedisian SOM
Chobanian & Avedisian SOM offers both unmodified and modified (prefix or suffix) faculty titles at all ranks with specific criteria for appointment at the various titles and ranks. The types of achievements considered in awarding academic appointments and promotion include a broad range of scholarship, teaching, mentoring, leadership, service and citizenship, and for clinical appointments, productivity and excellence in patient care.
At each level, achievements will be evaluated by assessments from peers, students, trainees, and patients when appropriate. Regional, national and international recognition is documented by letters from peers, service on editorial boards and federal study sessions, invited lectures, election to societies, awards, and leadership of national or international committees and advisory groups.
a. Unmodified Faculty Ranks
The unmodified faculty titles require scholarship, productivity, achievement and excellence recognized within and outside the institution. Chobanian & Avedisian SOM criteria for unmodified faculty titles are identical with the BU Faculty Handbook.
Assistant Professor: Generally, an assistant professor has been awarded a doctoral or professional degree or equivalent, exhibits commitment to teaching and scholarly or professional work of high caliber, and participates in University affairs at least at the department level.
Modified criteria for Assistant Professor (effective Jan 1, 2021): One publication or at least 3 years at the rank of Instructor with service to BUSM that include teaching, serving on committees, mentoring, school administration, etc.
Associate Professor: Generally, an associate professor meets the requirements for appointment as an assistant professor, enjoys a national reputation as a scholar or professional, shows a high degree of teaching proficiency and commitment, and demonstrates public, professional, or University service beyond the department.
Professor: Generally, a professor meets the requirements for appointment as an associate professor, and, in addition, has a distinguished record of accomplishment that leads to an international or, as appropriate, national reputation in his or her field.
b. Modified Clinical Prefix Faculty Ranks
The modified clinical prefix title is for faculty whose primary responsibility is patient care, with outstanding clinical skills and teaching or mentoring Chobanian & Avedisian SOM students at Chobanian & Avedisian SOM or affiliated institutions for a minimum of 40 hours per year.
- Clinical Associate Professor generally requires at least 8 years as an assistant professor.
- Clinical Professor generally requires 8 to 15 years as a clinical associate professor.
c. Modified Research prefix Faculty Ranks
The modified faculty title, Research prefix is for faculty scientists, without their own independent funding, whose responsibilities include assigned projects under the supervision of a senior grant funded scientist. Research Associate and full Professor rank generally requires at least 8 years as a research assistant professor and 8-15 years as an associate professor respectively.
d. Adjunct: These scientists or physician-scientists have part time affiliations with the department with no primary obligations to or from the institution. Criteria for promotion are the same as for full-time faculty.
[Approved by the BU Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine Executive Committee on January 23, 2023]