Professors are teacher-scholars of genuinely national standing who have made recognized contributions to the University and to their disciplines. They are expected to have demonstrated excellence in teaching, to have performed recognized and outstanding research and scholarly activity in their fields of specialization, and to have been pre-eminent in professional service. Except under most unusual circumstances, the highest terminal degree in the field is required.

Criteria include an established high quality of performance in teaching, research, and service and pre-eminence in at least one of these areas. Except under most unusual circumstances, the highest terminal degree normally attainable in the field is required.

Criteria – This rank usually requires the highest terminal degree normally held in the field or its clear equivalent. Evidence of promise in teaching, research, and service is required. Faculty members holding the rank of assistant professor may be considered for tenure only if promotion to associate professor is simultaneously considered.

Faculty members normally lacking the highest terminal degree who are employed to teach undergraduate courses, usually on the freshman and sophomore levels -- They normally receive annual appointments for a period of three years, but in exceptional circumstances they may be reappointed for a maximum of three additional annual contracts. They must be informed in writing at the time of the original appointment that their positions are not permanent and that they will not be eligible to be considered for tenure.

Instructors who are terminal degree candidates – Candidates for a terminal degree may be given annual appointments as instructors if they can provide evidence that they will complete all requirements for the terminal degree within the first year of teaching at Old Dominion University. An instructor in this category who completes this work, and whose department recommends reappointment, is given a second annual contract as an assistant professor and is eligible for tenure at the end of the usual probationary period. An instructor in this category who completes all degree requirements during the first semester at Old Dominion University is given the title of assistant professor for the second semester. An instructor in this category who does not complete all requirements for the terminal degree within the first year of employment is normally not reappointed for a second year, but a second annual contract as instructor may be granted with the approval of the chair, dean and provost and vice president for academic affairs; if all requirements for the degree are completed within the second year, the instructor is promoted to the rank of assistant professor. If all degree requirements are not completed during the second year, a third and terminal contract as instructor may be granted but the faculty member is not eligible for consideration for promotion or tenure.

Tenure-track, master's-level instructors -- In certain professional departments in which the master's degree is the terminal degree, faculty members who have three years or less of full-time teaching experience at the college level are normally appointed initially to the rank of instructor. Such faculty members are eligible for promotion to the rank of assistant professor after two years in the instructor's rank on the recommendation of the chair and dean and on the approval of the provost and vice president for academic affairs. In exceptional cases, where professional experience is clearly demonstrated, the requirement of prior experience may be waived with the approval of the chair, dean, and provost and vice president for academic affairs.

Visiting professor - This rank is reserved for scholars of distinction who agree to come to the University for one year or less in order to serve a particular need in a college or department. Credentials equal to those required of a full professor are required.

Visiting associate professor - This rank is reserved for scholars of distinction who agree to come to the University for one year or less in order to serve a particular need in a college or department. Credentials equal to those required of an associate professor are required.

Visiting assistant professor - This rank is reserved for scholars of distinction who agree to come to the University for one year or less in order to serve a particular need in a college or department. Credentials equal to those required of an assistant professor are required.

Assistant instructor - This is a full-time rank requiring at least a bachelor's degree in the area of specialization. Except under unusual circumstances, assistant instructors do not teach courses carrying degree credits.

Lecturer - This is a full-time rank that requires an appropriate master's degree and evidence of teaching ability. Demonstrated expertise in a specific field may also be required.

Senior lecturer - This is a full-time rank that requires an appropriate master's degree, demonstrated expertise in the field, a sustained record of effective performance in teaching and professional service, evidence of continued development and study in the field, and a minimum of five years' experience at the rank of lecturer or equivalent. Persons appointed to this rank are expected to assume a predominantly instructional role, at undergraduate or graduate levels, and participate in other professional service activities normally assigned to or expected of full-time faculty.

Master Lecturer – This is a full-time rank that requires an appropriate master's degree, demonstrated expertise in the field, a sustained record of superior performance in teaching and professional service, evidence of recognition within teaching or professional service, evidence of continued development and study in the field, and a minimum of five years' experience at the rank of senior lecturer or equivalent. Persons appointed to this rank are expected to assume a predominantly instructional or leadership role, at undergraduate or graduate levels, and participate in other professional service activities normally assigned to or expected of full-time faculty.

Faculty of Practice - Faculty of practice are appointed at the rank of professor, associate professor, or assistant professor. Such appointments are generally made for a specified term and do not lead to tenure or promotion during the specified term. A faculty of practice appointment may be for a term of one to three years and may be renewable under exceptional circumstances. Faculty members in such positions may be employed to work on a specific project or series of projects that could involve teaching, research or service or some combination of these activities. If used in teaching, they need to meet all University credential requirements. Employment of such faculty in project-related positions may be limited by the funds available. Faculty of practice may serve on some University-wide committees and, depending on college and department policies, may serve on some department and college committees. They cannot vote on appointments, retention, promotion, or tenure of faculty. Initial appointment or reappointment of faculty of practice must be reviewed and recommended for appointment or reappointment by the promotion and tenure committee of the department in question. A tenure-track faculty member who is denied tenure shall not be eligible for a faculty of practice appointment for five years after being denied tenure. Faculty of practice appointments should not exceed 10% of the total number of tenured/tenure-track positions in a college.

Intercollegiate coach - This is a full-time rank normally requiring a master's degree and a record of demonstrated performance in the area of specialization. Persons holding this rank devote half time or less to the instruction of credit students. These positions are normally funded from both Commonwealth and non-Commonwealth sources.

Other - The president may recommend to the Board of Visitors the establishment of other nontenured positions to allow the appointment of persons distinguished in their fields but not covered by any of the above.