I am applying to tenure track jobs at high research activity universities in the United State. Wading through open positions, I've become increasingly confused about what is the meaningful distinction between "programs", "institutes", and "departments". I understand faculty are organized into departments, and may participate in multiple institutes or graduate/undergraduate programs. However, for the particular position I am considering, the position is being offered by a particular program, and time is said to be split between the program (0.6FTE) and the appropriate academic department (0.4FTE).
My question is broad. What are the meaningful distinctions between programs, institutes, and departments within a research university?
Answer
Some alternate definitions to matinking's based on my own experience, which moves the answer more toward "It varies, you need to ask":
Program: Where I have applied to faculty positions in "programs", they usually mean transdisciplinary fields (think 'Biomedical Informatics') that may or may not grant their students a defined degree (Ph.D. in Biomedical Informatics), have specific courses, etc. Usually, in my admittedly limited experience, the program is actually hiring one or a series of faculty who will be housed in specific departments, but whose main duties will be focused on the needs and themes of the program. For example, Biomedical Informatics might hire people in Computer Science, Nursing, Public Health, Statistics, etc. and house them in home departments for things like tenure.
Department: A free standing, degree and tenure-granting entities within the school.
Institute: At least in my field, an "Institute" can be either at the sub-department, sub-college, or sub-university level, but implies a specialty, and it's own funding stream. Often, universities have very specific rules about whether or not something can be called an "Institute" and what that implies. They can often be "Department-like", but may lack some powers of a department.
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