Instructor, Lecturer, Distinguished Lecturer

General guidance for all candidates: Faculty are expected to review and adhere to the guidance in the Faculty Personnel Process Guidelines (FPPG). Other resources you might find helpful include the PSC CUNY contract and the CUNY bylaws. You are always welcome to contact Faculty Services for guidance regarding policy, process and practice pertaining to your personnel actions.

Instructor

CUNY Code of Practice Regarding Instructional Staff Titles, section 1.2.1:

For appointment as an instructor, the candidate must have demonstrated satisfactory qualities of personality and character, ability to teach successfully, interest in productive scholarship or creative achievement and willingness to cooperate with others for the good of the institution. He/she must also have an appropriate master's degree from an accredited institution, or active progress toward a doctorate.

Lecturer

CUNY Code of Practice Regarding Instructional Staff Titles, section 3.2:

The title Lecturer shall be a tenure‑bearing (certificate of continuous employment) title used for full‑time members of the faculty who are hired to teach and perform related faculty functions, but do not have a research commitment.

PSC CUNY Contract, Article 11, section 11.1:

For appointment as lecturer (full-time), a person must possess a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and such other qualifications as may be necessary for the satisfactory performance of his/her instructional functions.

Distinguished Lecturer

CUNY Code of Practice Regarding Instructional Staff Titles sections 4.1, 4.2

Individuals appointed as distinguished lecturers are experienced practitioners or teachers in their professions or fields of expertise. It shall be their responsibility to teach in their areas of expertise. As a general rule, they are not required to perform research, unless the appointment letter specifies a research commitment. Distinguished lecturers are full-time, non-tenure track positions.

For appointment as a distinguished lecturer, the candidate must have demonstrated satisfactory qualities of personality and character, a record of achievements in his/her profession or field of expertise, and a willingness to cooperate with others for the good of the institution. He/she must also have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution.

Other Helpful Links:

Faculty Personnel Process Guidelines  
Form C
2024-2025 FIDO Quick Guide for Faculty