Faculty Titles and Minimum Qualifications Policies: Your Feedback Matters

The University of North Dakota (UND) is developing two new policies: faculty titles and ranks and minimum qualifications for instructional faculty. These policies make sure that instructors meet consistent academic and professional standards. They also help the University maintain high-quality teaching and research across all programs.

What’s Important to Know

Faculty Titles & Ranks

The purpose of this policy is to standardize faculty titles and ranks and to provide clarity on appointments and promotions. Titles reflect experience, education, and role.

• Tenured faculty include professors and associate professors.
• Tenure-track probationary faculty include assistant professors.
• Special appointment faculty include teaching, research, clinical and visiting faculty as well as professors of practice, postdoctoral researchers, faculty in residence and part-time instructional and courtesy appointments.

Minimum Qualifications for Instructional Faculty

All instructors must meet academic or professional standards set by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Faculty are credentialed either with their academic degree, relevant professional experience, or both. UND verifies credentials and experience before hiring and documents them for accreditation.

Why These Policies Matter

These policies help UND:

• Maintain high standards for teaching and research.
• Ensure students learn from qualified instructors.
• Support fair and consistent faculty appointments and promotions.
• Meet accreditation and regulatory requirements.

Clear standards build trust—among students, faculty, and the public. They also strengthen UND’s reputation for academic excellence.

Seeking Your Input

These policies have gone through a year of development including focus group input and careful planning. They reflect UND’s commitment to consistent academic and professional standards. However, UND recognizes the importance of your feedback before implementation. The campus community is encouraged to review these policies and share their thoughts during the campus comment period.

The formal comment period is September 29 – October 27. During this time, submit your comments and suggestions online. Feedback will be considered before finalizing the policy.