1. Degree requirements: All graduate degrees considered for ranking purposes must be from recognized accredited institutions and must be in the field of major instruction.

2. Experience requirements: Full-time teaching at the post-secondary level is credited for ranking purposes on a year for year basis. Part-time teaching, including experience as a graduate teaching assistant, may be accepted on a proportional basis for up to one half of the experience requirement for each rank. Upon committee recommendation through the exceptions described below, directly related professional activities may be accepted for experience credit. If approved, one year of credit is granted for each two years of applicable professional experience. No more than one-half of the experience requirement for the rank may be met in this manner.

3. Specific standards for each rank:
   1. Professor: An earned doctorate and at least ten years of experience, four of which must be at the associate professor rank.
   2. Associate Professor: 1) An earned doctorate and at least six years of experience, three of which must be at the assistant professor rank; or 2) a master's degree plus at least thirty additional semester units in an active doctoral program and eight years of experience, four of which must be at the assistant professor rank.
   3. Assistant Professor: 1) An earned doctorate and at least two years of experience; or 2) a master's degree plus at least twelve semester units toward a doctorate and three years of experience; or 3) a master's degree plus four years of experience.
   4. Instructor: 1) An earned doctorate; or 2) a master's degree with recognized competency in the teaching field.

4. Exceptions:
   1. The MFA (Master of Fine Arts) degree is recognized as the terminal degree for faculty whose primary area is studio art, graphic art, or theatre production. A faculty member whose degree program includes the MFA in any of these areas will be eligible for rank and salary advancement to professor according to the established schedule.
   2. The combination of an MLS (Master of Library Science) or MIS (Master of Information Science) and an MA/MS in another academic discipline that would be beneficial to the University is recognized as professional work that may influence both rank and salary levels. Faculty members with these qualifications are eligible for the rank of associate professor.
   3. In rare cases, it may be permissible to judge other qualifications as equivalent to the above. Prior to ranking consideration, the Faculty Status Committee may, in individual cases, accept certain clearly described attainments as equivalent to the specified degree requirements, by a two-thirds vote. Likewise, the committee may, by a two-thirds vote, accept certain clearly described professional experiences as applicable for ranking purposes.

5. Other terminal degrees: Schools and departments wishing to request that the Faculty Status Committee recognize a degree other than the doctorate as terminal or a master's degree, along with other types of professional preparation (for example, a second master's degree or professional certification) as meeting the eligibility standards for consideration for promotion to the upper two ranks, should do so in writing. Such a request should be sent directly to the Chair of the Faculty Status Committee and address the following:

1. The precise recommendation being made and the position of the department/school regarding the recommendation.
2. The offering of doctoral level programs in this discipline.
3. The availability of doctoral programs in this region and the prospects for admission into these programs.
4. Any statements or standards from appropriate accrediting bodies.
5. Any statements or standards from appropriate professional organizations.
6. A survey of current practice at a number of peer institutions of various types.
7. If appropriate, the rationale for urging the committee to recognize professional certification in lieu of advanced study in the discipline. 
8. Whether or not the recommendation for consideration is at the associate professor level only or the professor level as well.

6. Salary steps are described elsewhere in the Faculty Handbook. Steps for salary placement are not necessarily identical with years of experience or approved related professional experience accepted for ranking purposes by the Faculty Status Committee.