Medical School faculty members are appointed onto one of three tracks: tenured and tenure-track, academic and clinician. Each track recognizes and rewards excellence in individuals’ contributions to the academic, research and clinical missions of the Medical School. The Office of Faculty Affairs (OFA) works with Medical School departments and promotion committees to review faculty members who are being considered for promotion. 

The Medical School uses dossiers to consider a faculty member for promotion to associate professor or professor ranks. Departments launch the process with the first review, then submit dossiers to OFA for review by the Medical School promotion committees. These committees review dossiers in accordance with the appropriate track statements, following the promotion procedures established by the University of Minnesota and the Board of Regents faculty tenure code.

Tenure-Track and Tenured

The Tenure-Track leads to the granting of tenure, which closely protects a faculty member's academic freedom in research and the classroom. 

Academic Track

The Academic Track recognizes faculty member's valuable contributions to scholarship in research, education, or clinical care. 

Clinician Track

The Clinician Track recognizes the valuable contribution that clinical excellence provides alongside our research and teaching missions. 

Appointments, Promotion and Tenure Council (APTC)

The responsibilities of the APTC include reviewing Medical School promotion and/or tenure procedures for faculty members and making recommendations to the dean regarding any aspect of the faculty appointments.

Administrative Contact: Office of Faculty Affairs, [email protected]

APTC Members

Committee Meeting Frequency and Details: APTC meetings will be held annually.

APTC Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)

The Promotion & Tenure Committee (P&TC) and the Clinician Track Promotion Committee (CTPC) are standing subcommittees of the APTC.

Contact [email protected] for further information. 

Promotion & Tenure Committee (P&TC)

The Promotion & Tenure Committee (P&TC) review and evaluate faculty going up for promotion on the tenure and academic tracks. The committee will review dossiers after they have been reviewed at the departmental level, and consider promotions to the rank of Associate Professor or full Professor.

Clinician Track Promotion Committee (CTPC)

The Clinician Track Promotion Committee (CTPC) review and evaluate faculty going up for promotion on the clinician track. The committee will review dossiers after they have been reviewed at the departmental level, and consider promotions to the rank of Associate Professor or full Professor.