Faculty Academic Tracks
Columbia University Irving Medical Center expects faculty distinction in each of the core mission elements that define excellence as an academic health center: research that includes the most basic discovery to the broadest population-based interventions; innovative education that attracts top students and trainees and that lays the foundations for lifelong learning; and clinical care/public health intervention that offers extraordinary care to patients and improves the health of populations. Each of these mission elements has multiple dimensions, which singly or in combination might form the focus for faculty careers.
The academic track system creates a framework for faculty and academic units to define, recognize, and reward work done by the faculty at the four health sciences schools. Because scholarly products may vary by the academic area of focus, the system defines scholarly products expected from faculty, as well as measures of recognition of faculty accomplishments that lead to promotion in academic rank for each area of focus. Faculty may use the documents on this website to strategically plan productive, successful, and satisfying careers at CUIMC.
Academic Pathways for Faculty
Tenure-Track
Faculty who are Tenured/Tenure-Track are expected to devote the majority of their time to the development of paradigm-changing research that achieves national/international recognition within specific time boundaries.
"at CUMC" Track
The “at CUMC” title is used for faculty who may have a broader range of activities in three areas of focus including variable mixtures of applied health sciences (clinical and/or public health interventions), educational activities and/or investigational activities. The areas of focus do not appear in faculty titles. Rather, titles in this track include the academic rank along with the suffix "at CUMC."
Faculty with an "at CUMC" title frequently make significant, high-quality contributions in one or more of the areas of focus. All academic contributions are considered at the time of academic advancement.
Part-time Pathways
Part-time faculty are expected to define their contributions in areas of focus similar to those of full-time faculty, though quantitative parameters vary based on the amount of time dedicated to faculty activities by part-time faculty.
Research Scientists
All Research Scientstists are expected to focus on the area of investigation. Themes and accomplishments for advancement span basic, clinical, and or public health research, synthesis of existing knowledge, implementation, and dissemination science, and/or new applications of existing knowledge.
This document provides guidance on promotion processes and pathways to full-time Research Scientists and their departments.
Resources to Support Faculty Advancement
FAQ: Faculty Tracks
Answers to frequently asked questions concerning faculty tracks at CUIMC can be found on the FAQ page.
Materials and Resources for Academic Appointments and Promotions
Materials and resources pertaining to academic appointments and promotion can be found on the Resources page.
Programs and Workshops on Promotion and Tenure
Join your peers and hear directly from the faculty who sit on the Committee on Appointments and Promotions in the Ask COAP Series.
- More information about the Ask COAP Series.
- More information on Understanding the Tenure Process at Columbia University.