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Guidelines for Appointment & Promotion to Professor of Practice (Non-Credit)
A. Introduction
The purpose of this document is to provide guidelines for the Division of Extension (Extension) to use for appointments to a Professor of Practice (Non-Credit) title. Within the context of these guidelines, “instruction” or “teaching” is understood to include non-credit instruction and planned, sequential education provided through community-learning experiences extended over a set time. “Learners” are understood to include students in non-credit programs and life-long learners who participate in outreach programs.
B. Professor of Practice Title Review
The Professor of Practice (Non-Credit) title is intended for a non-tenure track, qualified outreach academic staff member who has established themselves by demonstrating expertise, holding distinguished leadership positions, and/or accruing professional achievements in their field. They are expected to provide instruction directly related to their area of specialization that substantively benefits from their perspective as a practitioner. They are expected to undertake duties similar to those outlined in section C. Outreach professionals may not have terminal degrees but should demonstrate specialized expertise relative to engaged scholarship within an applied disciplinary area.
Employees appointed into the Professor of Practice title are considered academic staff; therefore, UW-Madison Academic Staff Policies and Procedures apply to these appointments. Professors of Practice are represented by the academic staff governance and have representation in the Academic Staff Assembly with the governance rights afforded them through Wisconsin State Statutes 36.09 (4m). A Professor of Practice appointment does not entail tenure or protections similar to those provided by tenure.
The Professor of Practice title is not intended to replace other titles such as Outreach Specialist or Teaching Faculty, nor is it intended that those holding other titles will be automatically or systematically transferred to the Professor of Practice title.
C. Appointment Responsibilities
Please note that when creating the position description, the basis for the job will be the responsibilities in the Standard Job Description on the TTC Library.
D. Appointment Process and Authority
The dean of the Division of Extension, or their designee, has the authority to approve new appointments for the Professor of Practice title. All letters of appointment will be approved using standard division Human Resources practices and will have position requirements and duties consistent with the SJD and section C and follow existing UW-Madison Academic Staff policies.
E. Performance Review and Reappointment
Professors of Practice are appointed with the expectation that they will work toward the goals broadly outlined in this document. Professors of Practice are expected to demonstrate a commitment to curriculum development appropriate for learners in their disciplinary area, efficacy in advising learners within their specialized discipline, effectiveness in learning environments demonstrated by instruments such as evaluations, and a meaningful presence in their field.
Performance reviews of Professors of Practice, whether terminal or renewable, must be completed annually in accordance with policies applicable to UW-Madison Academic Staff. Actions regarding non-renewal, layoff, or termination follow the UW-Madison Academic Staff Policies and Procedures that apply to these appointments.
F. Promotion from Outreach Specialist to Professor of Practice
It is not expected that other positions will promote into the professor of practice. The intention of this title is to include specialized expertise in a particular discipline and does not include an increased level of expertise in Extension Education. Examples include attorney and clerk.
Exceptions can be made at the discretion of the Dean.