Senior Promotion

The promotion process from Assistant Professor to Associate Professor or full Professor is an internal and external process.

The process towards a successful promotion is gradational involving our Department, internal and external referees, the Temerty Faculty of Medicine, the Dean and the Provost.

Academic promotion in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine recognizes the notable achievements of faculty members in their discipline and contributions to the University of Toronto. Promotion is not granted as a reward for long-term service, but rather to recognize those who have excelled in specific aspects of the academic mission. The successful candidate for promotion will be expected to have established a wide reputation in his or her field of interest, to be deeply engaged in scholarly work, and to show him or herself to be an effective teacher.

According to the University of Toronto Policy and Procedures Governing Promotions, promotion is based on accomplishments in scholarship:

1. Research
2. Creative Professional Activity (CPA)
3. Teaching
4. Administrative Service to the University

 This website will provide:

1. A series of three videos on questions and advice in applying for a senior promotion
2. Important Senior Promotion Documents
3. Information about the Departmental Promotions Committee (DPC)
4. Where to start in applying for a senior promotion
5. Senior Promotion Process and Workshops
6. Contact Information​​​​​​

In addition, the DFCM invites you to attend our senior promotion workshop series (please click on the tab "Information Sessions and Workshops" in the sidebar).

Senior Promotion: Assistant to Associate Professor or full Professor VIDEOS

We are pleased to provide three videos of DFCM faculty addressing questions and providing advice on the process of becoming an Associate Professor or full Professor.

1. Senior Promotion - What has a senior promotion meant to you?
2. Senior Promotion - Do you have any advice for others in preparing for a senior promotion?
3. Senior Promotion -  Who has assisted you in the senior promotion process?

Important Senior Promotion Documents

• The Manual for Academic Promotion to Associate and Full Professor (most recent 2022 version)
• The CV Format, from the Manual for Academic Promotions, is available.
• The Teaching Dossier template (recommended by the Faculty of Medicine) is available.
• The 2023-24 Pre-Application Package for a senior promotion 
• The DFCM Timeline for a Senior Promotion in our upcoming 2023-2024 cycle

The Department Promotions Committee (DPC)

The DPC has the very important job of reviewing the senior promotion pre-applications and dossiers for faculty recommended to the rank of Associate of full Professor. Membership is comprised of senior faculty (Associate and full Professors).

Where to Start in Applying for a Senior Promotion

January - March 31, 2023

• Review the Manual for Academic Promotion (linked above)
• Schedule a meeting with your respective Chief or approved DFCM Division Director to discuss your promotion
• Schedule a meeting with the DFCM Department Promotions Committee (DPC) Chair to discuss your promotion. This meeting may be arranged through the Chair’s Office: dfcm.chairsoffice@utoronto.ca
  • For this meeting, please prepare your updated, properly formatted CV
  • Be prepared to identify/discuss areas of excellence for promotion (Research, Creative Professional Activity, or Teaching & Education)
  • Be prepared to identify/discuss your 5 significant scholarly pieces of work
• Attend our workshop series
• Review the DFCM Senior Promotion Timeline (linked above)

Contact information:

For additional information on the senior promotion process in the DFCM, please contact:

Sarah Letovsky | Academic Promotions Coordinator
Department of Family and Community Medicine
Temerty Faculty of Medicine | University of Toronto
500 University Avenue, 5th Floor | Toronto ON | M5G 1V7
E-mail: dfcm.promotion@utoronto.ca 

Strategies to encourage promotion in the DFCM