North Dakota Enacts Tenure Policy Requiring a Master’s Degree

(Photo by Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)

(North Dakota Monitor) – The North Dakota State Board of Higher Education enacted a tenure policy requiring a master’s or other advanced degree for professors to receive tenure.

The new policy passed the board in a unanimous vote and will not affect current tenured positions in the North Dakota University System, applying only to future tenure appointments.

“From my perspective, I think we have tackled a mountain when it comes to tenure,” said Kevin Black, chair of the State Board of Higher Education. “I think we have addressed this in a way that assures accountability is part of every aspect of tenure moving forward.”

Tenure in the North Dakota University System is generally awarded after six years of service for full-time faculty, in part to ensure academic freedom, providing some protection for teaching, writing or researching on controversial topics. Tenured faculty can still be removed for cause.