They are chosen in a nationwide search process, in which they must meet rigorous standards in both teaching and research. They are judged on their scholarship and teaching records and evaluation letters from colleagues acquainted with their work.
Teaching is evaluated by having candidates give a lecture on their research.
Part-time instructors are recruited locally to teach selected courses in their scholarly specialties on a temporary basis. Student opinions of teaching are considered carefully in evaluating part-time instructors for future assignments. Part-time instructors' assignments depend on availability of courses in their areas of expertise and on budgetary considerations. The psychology program offers a schedule of classes sufficient to enable students to complete the major in a two-year period of time. However, because we are small, offerings are necessarily limited, and we have not yet established a regular rotation of course offerings.