OP 32.28: Faculty Applicants Not Holding Doctoral Degrees in Departments/Areas Requiring the Doctorate

 

[Moderate revision–posted 7/16/26 (replaces 12/6/23 edition)]

 

Operating Policy and Procedure

OP 32.28: Faculty Applicants Not Holding Doctoral Degrees in Departments/Areas Requiring the Doctorate

DATE: July 16, 2026

PURPOSE: The purpose of this Operating Policy/Procedure (OP) is to ensure understanding and a standardized approach for faculty applicants who have completed all requirements for the doctoral degree except for the dissertation (“ABD”) in departments/areas requiring the doctoral degree.

REVIEW: This OP will be reviewed every two years after publication by the Vice Provost for Faculty Success with substantive revisions presented to the Provost and Senior Vice President.

POLICY/PROCEDURE

1.  Emphasis is to be maintained on acquiring faculty appropriately credentialed per the discipline.

2.  For those prospective faculty members who have completed all requirements for the doctoral degree except the dissertation (“ABD”) in departments requiring the doctorate, the following policy is to be followed:

a.    If selected for appointment, each temporary appointee is to be informed in writing that continuation in the appointment after the initial period is contingent on all requirements for the doctorate having been completed. This language is standardized and should be requested from the Vice Provost for Faculty Success. Except for the addition of this language to the Provisional Employment Proposal (PEP) and the offer letter, all other faculty hiring procedures should proceed unchanged (see OP 32.16, Faculty Recruitment Procedure).

b.    The chairperson of the department of appointment must regularly review the temporary appointee’s progress toward completion of the doctorate, such review to occur at least once each semester until the doctoral degree is earned.

c.    If the doctoral degree is not completed by the date articulated in the PEP, the appointment must be reevaluated, and the appointment may be reclassified or terminated, per the language that is included in the temporary appointee’s offer letter.

d.    For additional information on faculty qualifications and faculty appointments and titles, see OPs 32.02, Faculty Non-Reappointment, Dismissal, and Tenure Revocation, and 32.17, Faculty Appointments and Titles.

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