Faculty Tracks
Defining Academic Roles and Pathways for Career Advancement
Faculty tracks provide the framework for academic appointments by establishing the primary expectations associated with a faculty member's role within the College of Medicine. Each track reflects a different balance of responsibilities in teaching, research, clinical care, scholarship, and service, while providing the foundation for appointment, promotion, and, where applicable, continuing appointment.
Selecting the appropriate faculty track is an important decision made during the appointment process and should align with the faculty member's assigned responsibilities and long-term academic goals.
The Office of Faculty Affairs assists departments and faculty in identifying the appropriate faculty track during the appointment process and provides guidance throughout the faculty member's academic career.
Explore Faculty Tracks
Academic Track
Tenure-Eligible
The Academic Track is the College of Medicine's full-time, tenure-eligible track for faculty whose academic careers include substantial contributions to teaching and significant achievement in research and/or scholarly activity. Faculty in clinical disciplines may also contribute substantially to clinical care as part of their academic responsibilities. This track is available to eligible faculty in both basic science and clinical departments.
Primary Emphasis: Teaching, Research & Scholarship, Service, and Clinical Activities when appropriate
Promotion Eligible: Yes
Continuing Appointment (Tenure): Applicable
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Academic Clinical Track
Tenure-Eligible
The Academic Clinical Track is a tenure-eligible track for faculty in clinical departments whose academic responsibilities center on clinical practice and programs while also including major teaching responsibilities and clinical research or scholarly activity. This track is designed for the clinician-scholar whose academic and scholarly contributions are carried out primarily in the clinical setting. The Academic Clinical Track has parity with the Academic Track in areas of academic recognition.
Primary Emphasis: Clinical Care, Teaching, Research & Scholarship, Service
Promotion Eligible: Yes
Continuing Appointment (Tenure): Applicable
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Qualified Clinical Track
Non-Tenure Eligible
The Qualified Clinical Track is intended for faculty whose principal contributions involve clinical care and clinical programs together with substantial teaching responsibilities. Faculty on this track are recognized primarily for excellence in clinical care and teaching. Research and scholarly activity are encouraged but are not the central expectation of the track.
Primary Emphasis: Clinical Care & Clinical Education
Promotion Eligible: Yes
Continuing Appointment (Tenure): Not Applicable
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Qualified Research Track
Non-Tenure Eligible
The Qualified Research Track is intended for faculty whose primary responsibilities involve research and scholarly activity in support of the College's research mission. Faculty on this track are evaluated principally on research accomplishments, scholarly productivity, and related academic contributions. Teaching and clinical responsibilities, when present, are generally limited.
Primary Emphasis: Research & Scholarship
Promotion Eligible: Yes
Continuing Appointment (Tenure): Not Applicable
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Qualified Teaching Track
Non-Tenure Eligible
The Qualified Teaching Track is intended for faculty whose primary academic contribution is teaching and education. This track recognizes faculty who make substantial contributions to the College's educational mission through teaching and related academic activities. Faculty on this track are evaluated primarily on the quality, scope, and impact of their educational contributions.
Primary Emphasis: Teaching & Education
Promotion Eligible: Yes
Continuing Appointment (Tenure): Not Applicable
Explore Qualified Teaching Track →
Voluntary Faculty Track
Non-Tenure Eligible
The Voluntary Faculty Track recognizes academicians, physicians, and other health care professionals who contribute their expertise and time to the programs of the College of Medicine without a regular salaried faculty appointment from the University, including individuals whose primary compensation may be through an affiliated program.
Voluntary faculty most commonly contribute to the College's teaching and clinical missions and provide important educational and professional support to students, trainees, departments, and clinical programs.
Primary Emphasis: Teaching, Clinical Activities & Academic Service
Promotion Eligible: Yes, in accordance with applicable College of Medicine criteria
Continuing Appointment (Tenure): Not Applicable
Explore Voluntary Faculty Track →
Selecting the Appropriate Faculty Track
The selection of a faculty track should reflect the faculty member's anticipated responsibilities rather than personal preference or academic title alone.
Departments should consider:
- Primary academic responsibilities
- Distribution of effort
- Teaching expectations
- Research responsibilities
- Clinical responsibilities
- Long-term academic goals
- Eligibility for promotion
- Continuing appointment considerations, where applicable
Faculty Affairs is available to assist departments in selecting the appropriate appointment track during the appointment process.
Faculty Track Comparison
| Faculty Track | Primary Emphasis | Promotion Eligible | Continuing Appointment* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Academic Track | Teaching, Research, Scholarship, Service | Yes | Applicable |
| Academic Clinical Track | Clinical Care, Teaching, Scholarship, Service | Yes | Applicable |
| Qualified Clinical Track | Clinical Care & Clinical Education | Yes | Not Applicable |
| Qualified Research Track | Research & Scholarship | Yes | Not Applicable |
| Qualified Teaching Track | Teaching & Education | Yes | Not Applicable |
| Voluntary Faculty Track | Teaching, Clinical Activities & Academic Service | Yes | Not Applicable |
* Eligibility is determined by applicable SUNY policies, appointment status, and institutional requirements. Users should refer to the Promotion & Continuing Appointment section for detailed guidance.
Which Faculty Track Is Right for Me?
Selecting the appropriate faculty track is a collaborative decision made by the department and the Office of Faculty Affairs during the appointment process.
Factors considered include:
- Nature of the appointment
- Departmental needs
- Academic responsibilities
- Career expectations
- Institutional policies
- Applicable appointment criteria
Faculty members with questions regarding faculty tracks should consult their Department Chair or the Office of Faculty Affairs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a faculty track the same as an academic title?
No. An academic title identifies a faculty member's academic rank, while a faculty track establishes the expectations for appointment, evaluation, promotion, and, where applicable, continuing appointment.
Can a faculty member change faculty tracks?
Requests to change faculty tracks require institutional review and approval. Departments should consult the Office of Faculty Affairs before initiating a request.
Does every faculty track have the same promotion criteria?
No. Promotion expectations vary depending on the faculty track and the applicable institutional guidelines.
Where can I find detailed promotion requirements?
Detailed promotion and continuing appointment requirements are available within the Promotion & Continuing Appointment section of the Faculty Affairs Portal, including links to the applicable CAPQ Guidelines.