Tenure Issues in Georgia

Tenure Issues

Does an indefinite academic contract exist in Georgia?

Yes — only for the position of professor, subject to outstanding achievements, under the procedure established by the Law on Higher Education.

What does a professor need for indefinite election?

A doctoral or equivalent degree, no less than 6 years of scholarly-pedagogical experience and outstanding professional or scholarly achievements.

Does an indefinite professor undergo attestation?

Yes, a professor elected for more than 5 years undergoes attestation once every 5 years under the procedure set by the charter.

Does the rule apply to theological institutions?

No, the requirements of Article 35 do not apply to Orthodox theological higher education institutions.

5 min·9 Jan 2026

What an Indefinite Contract Means in the Georgian System

In Georgian higher education, an indefinite contract with academic personnel exists, but in a deliberately narrow form. Under Article 33 of the Law on Higher Education, academic personnel consist of leading professors, professors, associate professors, assistant professors and assistants, and the possibility of indefinite election is tied by the law only to the top of this hierarchy — the position of professor. The tenure system widespread in the United States is not a Georgian model; in Georgia every condition of indefinite status is determined by Article 35 of the Law on Higher Education.