UNDERSTANDING FACULTY CATEGORIZATION

The Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MScOT) and Physical Therapy (MScPT) programs at the University of Toronto are accredited professional programs leading to entry to practice.

The MScOT program aims to advance health and wellbeing through occupation by creating knowledge of occupation and its enablement and preparing leaders in practice, research and scholarship to improve the health and well‐being of individuals and communities locally and globally.

The MScPT program is designed to integrate systems, research and internship components organized in twelve units to maximize educational principles. Academic faculty who support these programs fit into a variety of categories, all focused on a commitment to education and to development of the profession.

What do all of the academic titles mean??

Academic appointments in the Departments of OS&OT and PT are granted at various levels as follows:

Professorial tenure stream:

Assistant professor: University of Toronto has very rigorous guidelines for faculty searches: international search and advertised for specific period. We seek individuals who have completed post‐doctoral studies and have an independent program of research with multiple publications. Assistant professors in the tenure stream have a three year probationary contract, and if successful after their three year review, are offered an additional two year contract during which time they must apply and be awarded tenure.

Associate professor: In the fifth year of their appointment, Assistant Professors must go forward for tenure. They compile a dossier of their accomplishments. Dossiers are reviewed by special teaching committee, a reading (research focused) committee, and by at least 6 external reviewers who are experts in the field. They must demonstrate excellence in either research or teaching and competence in the other area, and demonstrate at least a national reputation for leadership in their field. When the President of the University awards an individual with tenure they are also promoted to Associate Professor. If unsuccessful in their application for tenure, the tenure candidate’s appointment will not be renewed and they must leave the university.

Professor (often referred to as "full professor"): a senior, tenured professor. To achieve full professor status you must have an international reputation, well‐documented contributions and a track record of mentoring the next generation. The dossier is reviewed by internal committees, external international experts, a Decanal senior appointments committee and the Provost/President.

Professorial non‐tenure (part‐time) stream:

• Assistant professor (part‐time non‐tenure): generally qualifications should be similar to tenure stream assistant professor appointment. After about 6 years, and having published and obtained grants, assistant professors are expected to go forward for promotion to Associate professor. • Associate Professor (part‐time non‐tenure): The criteria for promotion to associate professor are the same as for the granting of tenure. . • Full professor: Associate professors (part time non‐tenure) may apply for promotion to full professor. The process is identical to the process for promotion to full professor as a tenured professor. • Lecturer: a full‐time or part‐time position focused on academic teaching • Senior lecturer: Full time lecturers must submit a dossier to become Senior lecturers within 5 years of beginning the position. The process is similar to a tenure review. It is expected that Senior lecturers have demonstrated excellence in teaching‐ not just in the classroom but also having demonstrated innovation, reflective practice, and publications of educational scholarship

Status‐Only and Adjunct Appointments Status‐Only and Adjunct Appointments are non‐salaried appointments made to individuals to formally acknowledge their contributions to the University of Toronto. Status only and adjunct appointments come with both responsibilities and privileges according to the rank of the appointment.

Status‐Only Appointments are available to individuals who are employed at a “Full or Community Affiliated Sites” (see Box 1). These appointments can be at the professorial level or as a lecturer. Status‐only appointments are non‐salaried and normally receive no remuneration from the University of Toronto. Such appointments are normally made to allow an individual faculty member to participate more fully in an academic unit’s teaching or research program. The University of Toronto Provost’s Office sets the guidelines for status‐only appointments. Within these guidelines, individuals being considered for status‐only positions normally hold full‐time employment arrangements with another institution with a job description that is primarily academic (research and teaching) in nature. Status only professors are eligible to apply for research grants through the Department and may be promoted to associate or full professors. Status only lecturers are generally clinical rehabilitation professionals whose primary role is to provide clinical or classroom teaching.

Adjunct Appointments are available to individuals who are not employed at “Full or Community Affiliated Sites” (see Box 1). These appointments can be at the professorial lecturer level. Adjunct Professors are individuals who have special qualifications and expertise, and are most often eminent professionals with exemplary achievements with whom the Department expects to have an on‐going connection. Adjunct lecturers are most often rehabilitation professionals whose academic role is to provide clinical or classroom teaching. Adjunct lecturers are expected to make contributions that are parallel to Status‐Only lecturers. Adjunct lecturers may also include distinguished individuals who are not rehabilitation professionals

Box 1. List of Full and Community Affiliated Sites: Baycrest, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Mount Sinai Hospital, St. Michael's Hospital, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre (SHSC), St. John's Rehab Hospital ‐ SHSC, University Health Network (UHN), Toronto Rehabilitation Institute ‐ UHN, Women's College Hospital, Bridgepoint Health, Credit Valley Hospital (CVH), Trillium Health Centre ‐ CVH, George Hull Centre for Children and Families, Hincks‐Dell crest Centre, Humber River Regional Hospital, Lakeridge Health Network, Markham‐Stouffville Hospital, North York General Hospital, Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences, Providence Healthcare, The Royal Victoria Hospital, The Scarborough Hospital, Southlake Regional Health Centre, St. Joseph's Health Centre, Surrey Place Centre, Toronto East General Hospital, West Park Healthcare Centre, Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care.

Teaching assistant (TA): A position typically held by graduate students. TAs play a supportive role in education, which may include grading, review sessions, and labs.

Research assistant (RA): A position in which an individual with some research skills is hired to play a supportive role for a particular study. Usually, RAs are hired by the principal investigator of the study.

All Status only and adjunct faculty members must renew their appointments every three years.