Tenured/probationary tenure track faculty (assistant professor, associate professor, and professor) positions require a minimum of a doctorate degree or an appropriate terminal degree for the discipline. Faculty members teach, conduct research, and engage in public service.

Non-tenure track (modified professorial titles, lecturer, instructor, teaching/research/clinical associate). Units set the minimum degree and experience requirements; however, these positions require a minimum of a bachelor’s degree.  Some of these positions are subject to the terms of a collective bargaining agreement with the Campus Faculty Association (IFT-AFT, AAUP (CFA)).  Please see the collective bargaining agreement for details regarding which specialized faculty are subject to the terms of the agreement.

Postdoctoral Research Associates are employees involved in research and who have completed their doctorate or terminal degree within the last 10 years.  Because Postdoctoral Research Associates are transitional in nature, there is not a required specified search process for appointees, and Postdoctoral Research Associate service should not exceed five (5) years from the date of initial appointment.

Academic Professionals
Academic Professionals are those members of the academic staff whose positions have been designated by the president and the chancellor as meeting specialized administrative, professional, or technical needs, in accordance with Article IX of the University of Illinois Statutes, and are individually exempted from State University Civil Service System position classification. These positions require a minimum of a bachelor's degree; hiring units set minimum degree and experience.

Visiting Academic Professionals
Visiting Academic Professionals hold academic professional positions scheduled for a temporary duration, and are subject to the terms of a collective bargaining agreement (PDF) with the Visiting Academic Professionals Association (AAP/IEA/NEA). These positions require a minimum of a bachelor's degree; hiring units set minimum degree and experience requirements.

Academic Hourly
Academic Hourly employees require, minimally, a bachelor’s degree. They are appointed on a temporary or intermittent basis and are paid on the basis of service hours provided. If more than 40 hours are worked in any given calendar week, the employee is due overtime pay.

Graduate Assistant
Four types of graduate assistantships:

• Research Assistant (RA): The duties of a Graduate Research Assistant primarily involve applying and mastering research concepts, practices, or methods of scholarship.
• Teaching Assistant (TA): The duties of a Graduate Teaching Assistant are primarily in support of instruction. Teaching assistant positions are covered by a collective bargaining agreement (PDF) with the Graduate Employee Organization (GEO).
• Pre-Professional Graduate Assistant (PPGA): PPGAs are appointed to non-TA/non-RA assistantship positions in which they primarily gain experience, practice, or guidance that is significantly connected to their fields of study and career preparation.
• Graduate Assistant (Administrative): The duties of a Graduate Assistant are primarily in support of administrative functions and include such general functions as providing technical/support services, advising students, etc. Graduate assistant (administrative) positions are covered by a collective bargaining agreement with the Graduate Employee Organization (GEO).

Graduate Hourly
A graduate hourly is a student appointed on an hourly basis for temporary special projects. The student must be registered in the Graduate College for the semesters of the appointment.

An appointment that indicates a relationship with the university with no service requirement. In most cases, these appointments are provided to people outside of the university to reflect an affiliation with the university. Unpaid Academic employees receive no monetary payments.

Graduate Fellows
A graduate fellowship is an award that provides a monthly living allowance and requires no services in return. The student must be registered to receive a fellowship appointment. Predoctoral fellowships are coordinated through the Fellowship Office in the Graduate College. Graduate Fellows are not employees.