Academic tenure: what does it mean?

Tenure is an integral aspect of academia. Because tenured faculty give esteem to individual physical therapy programs and to the profession as a whole, understanding the process of attaining tenure is vital to all physical therapy educators. Tenure in universities is described, and the process of attaining tenure is outlined. Criteria for tenure, factors related to transfer of faculty between universities, and considerations for terminating tenured faculty are also discussed. Departmental chairmen have a responsibility to ensure that the faculty members understand the tenure process and are given the opportunity to meet tenure criteria.