Faculty Positions
A faculty member is an individual who holds an academic appointment, either full-time or part-time, and performs a combination of teaching, research, clinical, and/or service functions. As outlined in the Faculty Handbook, these appointments typically fall in three broad categories: tenured/tenure-track, renewable contract and temporary. Regular tenured/tenure-track and renewable contract appointments will be twelve-month faculty or nine-month faculty as outlined below.
Twelve Month Faculty Pay
Twelve-month faculty provide services year-round, during both the academic year and non-academic year periods. These employees are paid through the UA Payroll Office on the monthly payroll schedule over a period of twelve months.
Nine Month Faculty Pay
Nine-month faculty provide services during the academic year period, August 16 – May 15. These employees are also paid through the UA Payroll Office on the monthly payroll schedule. There are two pay distribution cycles in which nine-month faculty can be paid, non-deferred pay distribution cycle (9-over-9) and deferred pay distribution cycle (9-over-12). Additional information is available in the Nine-Month Faculty Pay FAQs.
Upcoming Faculty Pay Schedule Changes
Beginning August 16, 2027, eligible nine-month faculty will be paid on the 9-over-12 pay schedule. The current 9-over-9 pay schedule will no longer be available.
Learn more about Faculty Pay Schedule Changes.
Read the Faculty Pay Schedule Changes FAQs.
Non-Deferred Pay Distribution Cycle (9-over-9)
Nine-month faculty members have the option of receiving the nine months of pay over the nine-month period the services are provided, August 16 – May 15, as indicated by the term 9-over-9 or non-deferred. With this option, salary is fully disbursed as it is earned during the 9-month appointment.
Beginning August 16, 2027, this option will no longer be available. Eligible nine-month faculty will be paid on the 9-over-12 pay distribution cycle.
Deferred Pay Distribution Cycle (9-over-12)
Nine-month faculty members also have the option of receiving the nine months of pay over a twelve-month period, August 16 – August 15, as indicated by the term 9-over-12 or deferred. With the deferred pay distribution cycle (9-over-12), salary is not fully disbursed as it is earned. That is, a portion of the salary is held back or “deferred” from the payments made during the academic year period, August 16 – May 15, and paid during the non-academic year period, May 16 – August 15. The term “deferred compensation” is used to distinguish between the amount earned versus the amount paid. The deferred pay distribution cycle (9-over-12) is the default pay cycle for nine-month faculty.
Pay Distribution Impact on Benefits
Nine-month faculty members in benefits eligible positions are eligible to participate in benefits throughout the entire calendar year. Participation is not limited to the nine-month service period. Your pay distribution choice will have no impact on your benefits coverage, if enrolled, but it will change the amount of premiums deducted from your paychecks:
- Nine-month faculty paid on the deferred pay distribution cycle (9-over-12) will have benefits deducted over 12 paychecks, if enrolled.
- Nine-month faculty paid on the non-deferred pay distribution cycle (9-over-9) will have benefits deducted over 9 paychecks, if enrolled.
Premiums for benefits deducted over the 9 paychecks will be higher to allow for the value of the full calendar year premium to be deducted over the 9-month service period, consistent with the non-deferred pay distribution cycle. The higher premiums collected during the 9-month service period will be used to maintain employee benefit coverage during the non-academic year period, May 16 – August 15. If employment ends prior to August 15, faculty will be refunded any unused portion premiums. Additional information is available in the Nine-Month Faculty Pay FAQs.
Links
Faculty Pay Schedule Changes
Faculty Pay Schedule Changes Frequently Asked Questions
Nine-Month Faculty Pay Frequently Asked Questions
Deferred Pay Calculation Worksheet