Instructors

The rank of Instructor (0040) is a tenure-track title. It is used for probationary appointments only, for example as part of a contingency for a tenure-track hire made before completion of degree requirements.  See COE: Degrees and Contingencies.

Per HOP 2-2010, Academic Titles and Tenure:

The maximum probationary period that may be served in the rank of Instructor is four years. Not later than an instructor's third year of full-time service, the budget council and chairman of his or her department shall recommend to the administration: (a) that he or she be promoted to assistant professor; or (b) that he or she be placed on terminal appointment for the next (i.e., fourth) year. The instructor should be informed not later than August 31 of his or her third year of full-time service of the final decision regarding his or her status. Nothing, however, shall preclude a review of a decision to place an instructor on terminal appointment during the year in which the individual is serving under terminal appointment.

An instructor who, for any reason, has been continued beyond the four-year probationary period is not eligible for tenure as an instructor nor will promotion to assistant professor automatically result. A review of the status of any instructor in these circumstances will be mandatory as soon as possible following discovery.

Furthermore: 

Only full-time service in the academic rank of Instructor or Assistant Professor, or any combination thereof, shall be counted toward fulfillment of a required probationary period related to the acquisition of tenure. Full-time service is defined as holding a 100% time appointment in the University for both the fall and spring semesters of an academic year on faculty salaries and/or on any other funds administered by the University, and being in full compliance with Regental standards pertaining to the minimum faculty teaching requirements. Periods during which a faculty member is on leave of absence without salary from the University or is serving in the rank of Lecturer, Senior Lecturer, Specialist or any rank carrying the description "visiting," "clinical," or "adjunct," or periods of prior academic service at any institution other than The University of Texas at Austin shall not be counted toward fulfillment of a required probationary period related to the acquisition of tenure. The title Visiting Assistant Professor is not used at UT Austin.

For Assistant Professors hired with a degree contingency, the alternate rank is Instructor. 

Please send suggested additions to this page and notifications about broken links to COE-FacultyAffairs@austin.utexas.edu.

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