Clinical Academics

Clinical Instructor
This level of appointment is an academic appointment for individuals who demonstrate interest in and potential for a successful academic career in investigation and who have completed clinical training or its counterpart.  UCMC Clinical Fellows in a GME-approved program are also eligible for the title of Clinical Instructor subject to the conditions in the Appendix of this policy.    The initial term of appointment is two years.

Clinical Assistant Professor
This category of appointment is primarily for private practitioners who make significant contributions to the clinical teaching programs of the Division of Biological Sciences. Typically, physicians in this category volunteer their time to the University on a part-time (benefits ineligible) basis and provide their services either at the University or one of its affiliated or associated hospitals. Appointment to this category is frequently contingent upon achievement and maintenance of attending privileges at The University of Chicago Hospitals or an affiliated or associated hospital. Normally, the initial term of appointment is made for four years.

Clinical Associate Professors
This category of appointment is primarily for private practitioners who make significant contributions to the clinical teaching programs of the Division of Biological Sciences. Typically, physicians in this category volunteer their time to the University on a part-time (benefits ineligible) basis and provide their services either at the University or one of its affiliated or associated hospitals. Appointment to this category is frequently contingent upon achievement and maintenance of attending privileges at The University of Chicago Hospitals or an affiliated or associated hospital. Normally, the initial term of appointment is made for five years.

Clinical Professors
This category of appointment is primarily for private practitioners who make significant contributions to the clinical teaching programs of the Division of Biological Sciences. Typically, physicians in this category volunteer their time to the University on a part-time (benefits ineligible) basis and provide their services either at the University or one of its affiliated or associated hospitals. Appointment to this category is frequently contingent upon achievement and maintenance of attending privileges at The University of Chicago Hospitals or an affiliated or associated hospital. Normally, the initial term of appointment is made for five years. 

Clinical Instructor - Reappointment

After the initial two-year term of appointment, subsequent reappointments of up to two one-year terms can be made based on continued satisfaction of criteria for appointment as Instructor. 

To recommend renewal of the title of Clinical Instructor for a UCMC Clinical Fellow in a GME-approved program - Required Components:

• Updated CV & personal statements
• Chair’s letter to Dean including the following 
  • name of candidate
  • proposed effective date and term 
  • name of the departmental unaccredited fellowship program to which the candidate will belong
  • description of the proposed scholarly, clinical, educational, and institutional citizenship expectations, mentorship and career development, and research support
  • assessment of progress during the prior appointment period
  • teaching evaluations, if any
  • assurances [(a) Candidate has completed clinical training at the UCMC in an ACGME-accredited fellowship program or an unaccredited fellowship program sponsored by the UCMC Graduate Medical Education Committee (GMEC); (b) Candidate meets UCMC requirements for appointment to the medical staff and meets GMEC eligibility requirements for participation in a GMEC sponsored program; (c) Department will supervise the Clinical Instructor, and immediately report to both the Office of the Provost and the GMEC any action or inaction requiring disciplinary action, warning, intervention, or suspension              
• University of Chicago Agreement for Clinical Instructor (pages 5-6 of our Policy)
• Copy of Resident/Fellow Contract (sample is pages 9-16 of the Policy)

To recommend a University of Chicago employee for reappointment as Clinical Instructor - Required Components

• Updated CV & personal statements 
• Chair’s letter to Dean  
• Other concurrences, and documents as customary for a department.  These might include Section Chiefs' letters and reports of internal promotions committees.
• teaching evaluations

Clinical Assistant Professor, Clinical Associate Professor & Clinical Professor - Reppointment 

Appointmentand reppointment to this category is frequently contingent upon achievement and maintenance of attending privileges at The University of Chicago Hospitals or an affiliated or associated hospital. The term of reappointment can be made for up to four years for Clinical Assistant Professor and up to five years for Clinical Associate Professor and Clinical Professors.  

Required Components for Reappointment at the rank of part-time Clinical Assistant Professor, Clinical Associate Professor and Clinical Professor

• Updated CV & personal statements 
• Chair’s letter to Dean  
• Other concurrences, and documents as customary for a department.  These might include Section Chiefs' letters and reports of internal promotions committees.
• teaching evaluations

You may be recommended for promotion to part-time Clinical Assistant Professor, Clinical Associate Professor or Clinical Professor as soon as you qualify.

Appointment proposal--The department will prepare and submit a recommendation for the appointment that is reviewed by OAA for completeness, endorsed by the Dean and submitted to the Provost’s office for approval.  A complete recommendation will include:

• Chair’s letter to Dean which should include
  • name of candidate 
  • proposed academic rank, track, effective date, term (normally, term end date is June 30)
  • % effort
  • proposed compensation
  • statement of the individual's clinical activity and reputation, as well as teaching activity and effectiveness, both qualitative and quantitative, as well as role envisioned
  • statement of the teaching role of the candidate and the role envisioned for his/her participation in educational activities, including the classroom
• Updated CV
• Teaching evaluations from most recent term of appointment

For promotion to Clinical Associate Professor and Clinical Professor, the following materials are also required

• Sample solicitation letter
• Referee grid
• Letters of evaluation from external referees

Your department will collaborate with you to prepare these materials. 

There is no obligation to promote Clinical Academics.