What is Tenure Track? Everything you Need to Know About Tenure

For many graduate-level degree seekers, the ultimate goal of earning a doctorate or a Ph.D. is a career in academia. While there are multiple career paths for people who earn these degrees, from government and the non-profit sector to careers in private industry, academia is also an attractive option. There are several types of academic career, and a common goal for most newly-minted Ph.D. holders is to secure a faculty appointment on the tenure track. 

While much of academia may seem shrouded in mystery (what’s up with the fluffy velvet hats?), the faculty structure at colleges and universities shouldn’t be. Tenure is a long-held academic tradition, and there are many milestones on the road to achieving it. However, there’s more to the tenure track than jumping through hoops, and it’s a good idea to be well-informed about what it entails. 

These are some commonly asked questions about the tenure track, and what you should be aware of if you decide to pursue it. 

• What is tenure?
• What does “tenure track” mean?” 
• What responsibilities characterize a tenure track professorship?
• How competitive is the tenure track academic job market?  

What is Tenure?

Simply put, tenure is a lifelong faculty appointment at a college or university. A tenured professor is a senior member of their academic department and helps to ensure their institution’s continuity through teaching, research, and scholarship. While not untouchable–particularly in instances of conduct violations or financial exigency–tenured faculty generally enjoy long and secure careers. 

This security was born of the belief that faculty members should be protected from dismissal or reprisals for teaching and publishing controversial material. In the United States, this was particularly relevant during the eras like the Red Scare, when academics were accused of being communist sympathizers. The tradition has held, and many of today’s tenured professors hold their positions for decades. 

What is Tenure Track?

The road to tenure begins on the tenure track. Usually combined with an assistant professorship, the tenure track is a probationary appointment that lasts six years at most institutions. During this period, tenure track faculty are reviewed annually and evaluated on their teaching, research and scholarship, and their service to their department and university. At the end of this period, applicants are either granted tenure or they are dismissed from the institution. 

Sounds harsh, right? It is. The practice of either granting tenure and promotion or severing ties with the faculty member is colloquially known as an “up or out” policy, and its prevalence varies by institution. Some schools are very supportive and view awarding tenure as part of a natural progression, while others are notoriously competitive. 

If you find yourself interviewing for a tenure track academic job, find out what percentage of faculty earn tenure. While some new faculty members thrive in a “publish or perish” environment, many prefer a lower-pressure atmosphere. It pays to ask questions about the culture before you sign on the dotted line. 

What Does a Tenure Track Professor Do? 

There are three pillars of academia when it comes to life on the tenure track, and each one comes with a distinctive set of responsibilities. Every duty performed by a tenure track faculty member falls under one of these three categories: 

• Teaching The amount of teaching done by tenure track faculty, who make up about a third of all faculty at American colleges and universities, varies by institution. A record of high-quality teaching grounded in strong pedagogy is a major part of a tenure track professor’s annual review and tenure and promotion dossier. 
• Service Another expectation is service to the department, the university, and the faculty member’s academic discipline. Though it can take many forms, service can include work with student organizations, membership on department and university committees, serving as a peer reviewer, and more. In my experience, there is no shortage of service opportunities at any university. 
• Research & Scholarship A solid record of research and publication is a vital part of any tenure bid. While a book (or two) may be expected in highly competitive departments, consistent publication of academic articles and book chapters is a must. Tenure track faculty are also expected to regularly present their research at conferences and symposiums. 

Competition 

The tenure track academic job market is tough, and it’s important to understand that going in. In many fields, there are fewer tenure track jobs than ever, and competition for each position is fierce. Even so, if a tenure track professorship is your dream, I recommend giving the academic job market a shot. The odds are long, but keep in mind that hundreds of hopefuls land tenure track jobs every year–why not you? Just know that if you want one of these positions, the process for securing it is long, arduous, and not for the faint of heart. Also, there is a fair amount of luck involved. 

While the academic job market is a gauntlet, in my experience the process of pursuing a tenure track job is made easier by being well prepared. If a tenure track job interests you, I recommend seeking out advice from those on the tenure track and recently-tenured professors in your field. Ask them about their experiences in academia, as well as the highs and lows of life on the tenure track. 

Whether or not you go the tenure track route, please know that higher education is rapidly evolving and the future is bright for those earning doctorates and Ph.D.s in their field. In addition to finding homes in academic positions off the tenure track (special purpose faculty, lab coordinators, college administration, etc.), graduate degree earners are in demand across all professional sectors. 

In my work as a consultant, I’ve been excited to see the universe of possibilities that have opened up outside of academia. Once you’ve earned a Ph.D., there are many possible roads to travel that will allow you to put your knowledge, dedication, and talent to good use. With highly transferable skills, there are many exciting career opportunities for graduates both within and beyond academia.