Faculty Classifications

Academic Professionals

"Academic Professional" is a special library designation for faculty whose primary responsibilities lie outside of classroom instruction or research but whose work assignments provide necessary support within and for the academic program. Academic professionals have the requisite preparation, specialized knowledge, and academic preparation characteristic of teaching faculty. Though not expected to be research scholars, academic professionals are expected to maintain their engagement in the scholarly dimension of their work, in the educational and academic life of the university, and in the academic and professional organizations relevant to their work responsibilities. They are expected to demonstrate their service to the university community, to a religious community by active participation in a local congregation or parish, and to the larger community beyond the university.

Academic Professionals are eligible for assignment to university, college/school, and departmental faculty committees, with the exception of committees that evaluate and make recommendations regarding the appointments of candidates for tenured and tenure-track positions and committees that make recommendations regarding the dismissal of tenured and tenure-track faculty members.

Further information on Academic Professionals' probationary terms, continuing appointments, annual performance reviews, and dismissal can be found in the University Policy on Academic Professionals, BU-PP 718.

Clinical Faculty

The roles, responsibilities, and opportunities for clinical faculty at Baylor University are described in the Policy on Clinical Faculty at Baylor University (BU-PP 719). The process for reviewing Clinical Faculty for contract renewal and promotion is described in "Procedures for Review and Promotion of Clinical Faculty at Baylor University."

Lecturer Faculty

The roles, responsibilities, and opportunities for Lecturers at Baylor University are described in the Policy on Full-Time Lecturers, Senior Lecturers, and Teaching Professors at Baylor University (BU-PP 716).

Temporary Part-Time Lecturer
Temporary Full-Time Lecturer
Regular Full-Time Lecturer
Senior Lecturer
Teaching Professor

Tenure-track/Tenured Faculty

Assistant Professor--holds the terminal degree or the clear equivalent in the form of outstanding achievement in the area of specialization
Associate Professor--has received tenure at Baylor or has an equivalent record of achievement. The faculty member holds the terminal degree, or has professional experience that constitutes the clear equivalent, and has conclusively demonstrated excellence in his or her professional pursuits. This level of excellence is evident in the faculty member's teaching, research and/or creative work in the discipline, service, and collegial work, and is more specifically addressed in Baylor University Personnel Policy (BU-PP) 704 and departmental tenure guidelines.
Professor--holds the terminal degree or the clear equivalent. She or he should have established a distinguished record of excellence in teaching and mentorship, and should also have produced a body of research and/or creative work that is recognized as excellent by authorities in the field who are in highly esteemed programs at notable institutions. Moreover, the faculty member should have compiled an appropriate record of activity in pertinent professional organizations and service to the university and community.
Distinguished Professor--a tenured full professor in a department or academic unit of the University whose outstanding scholarship and national reputation for excellence in his or her academic discipline greatly exceed the bounds of scholarship exemplified by most, if not all, other faculty members in that academic unit at Baylor. Distinguished Professors are individuals whose work not only reflects high achievement but also whose work and life reveal a commitment to issues or themes that are central to Baylor's mission. Their work may contribute to distinctively Christian scholarship or focus on or demonstrate expertise in an area in which Baylor has a particular interest.
University Professor--a tenured full professor whose outstanding scholarship and national reputation for excellence in his or her academic areas of expertise transcend the bounds of traditional academic departments, often reflecting interdisciplinary concerns and having multidisciplinary implications. University Professors are persons whose work not only reflects high achievement but also reveals a commitment to issues or themes that are central to Baylor's mission. Their work may contribute to distinctively Christian scholarship and hence exemplify the integration of faith and learning, or it may focus on or demonstrate expertise in an area in which Baylor has a particular interest.

Retired Faculty

To learn more about retiree classifications, please visit the Baylor Human Resources website.

Grandfathered Retiree I- Faculty/Staff members (age 55+) who completed 20 or more years of continuous full-time service at Baylor University prior to May 31, 2007
Retiree I- Faculty/Staff members (age 55+) who retire with 10 or more years of continuous full-time service at Baylor
Honorary Retiree- Those faculty/staff members who have attained age 55 and who separate from service with more than 5 but less than 10 years of continuous full-time service at Baylor University