Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences (VHS) at Old Dominion University maintains written standards, criteria, and procedures for faculty promotion and tenure. Effective July 1, 2026, updated policies and procedures apply to faculty of Eastern Virginia Medical School and the EVMS School of Health Professions.
Information about initial faculty appointments, appointment tracks and ranks, nomination materials, and resources for newly appointed faculty is available on the separate Faculty Appointments page.
Faculty Promotion
Career-track promotion recognizes sustained excellence, increasing responsibility, professional growth, scholarly contribution, leadership, and impact appropriate to the rank sought. Accomplishments may be demonstrated across Teaching and Learning, Clinical Care, Research and Discovery, and Administration, Leadership and Service. Evaluation is based on assigned responsibilities and documented contributions; equivalent activity in every domain is not required unless specified by the applicable criteria.
Promotion begins with nomination by the appropriate Department Chair. Candidates must be on the appropriate track and use the criteria for their assigned rank. The standard expectation is five years in rank.
Career-Track Promotion Cycle
| Milestone | 2026 to 2027 timing |
|---|---|
| Track designation | At the time of hire/appointment |
| Promotion nomination due to Faculty Affairs | May Timeframe |
| Candidate submission to the Chair or departmental secure site | By the department's internal deadline |
| Complete dossier due from the Chair to Faculty Affairs | November 30 for salaried faculty and on a rolling basis for Non-salaried faculty and Faculty of Practice. |
| School Promotion & Tenure Committee and leadership review | September through June |
Individual Track Details
Promotion to Teaching, Clinical, or Research Assistant Professor is reviewed administratively rather than by the Promotion and Tenure Committees. The Senior Associate Vice President for Faculty Affairs and Professional Development reviews the nomination and forwards it to the appropriate Dean for a final decision.
Please contact the Faculty Affairs and Professional Development office at VHSFacultyAffairs@odu.edu to request the promotion handout and criteria specific to this promotion pathway.
Promotion to Teaching, Clinical, Research Associate Professor, or Professor is reviewed by the Department Promotion and Tenure Committee, the School Promotion and Tenure Committee, and forwards it to the appropriate Dean for a final decision.
Please contact the Faculty Affairs and Professional Development office at VHSFacultyAffairs@odu.edu to request the promotion handout and criteria specific to this promotion pathway.
Faculty of Practice is the rank classification for faculty formerly designated as Community Faculty. Teaching and Education is the primary domain, with contributions also considered in Clinical Care, Research and Discovery, and Administration, Leadership and Service. Candidates must document contributions in at least two domains. For promotion to Professor, scholarship with national impact is required in one domain.
Please contact the Faculty Affairs and Professional Development office at VHSFacultyAffairs@odu.edu to request the promotion handout and criteria specific to this promotion pathway.
Detailed VHS guidance for tenure-rank appointment, promotion, and tenure is currently being finalized and will be posted here when available. Faculty considering Tenure Track should review the Tenure Policy in the ODU T&R Faculty Handbook and consult their Department Chair and the Faculty Affairs and Professional Development office before beginning the process.
