What makes you an adjunct professor?

Adjunct Professor refers to an educator hired on a contractual, part-time basis, often teaching introductory undergraduate or preparatory courses semester-by-semester throughout an academic year. Adjunct professors are not required to conduct research, publish papers or even attend staff meetings.

Are you a professor if you are adjunct?

Sometimes called contingent faculty, adjunct professors are part-time professors. They are not considered part of the permanent staff, nor are they on the path to a tenured position. As a contract employee, they are free to create a teaching schedule that works for them. Some teach only one class; others take on many.

What is an adjunct professor vs regular professor?

Similar to tenured professors, adjunct professors generally hold a doctorate or a graduate degree. Today, they make up the majority of professors on any college campus. Adjunct professors teach courses and mentor students, but are not usually expected to conduct research, publish papers, or serve on committees.

Is it worth being an adjunct professor?

Lower pay: Adjunct professors often earn less money than tenured professors. These professionals usually receive an hourly wage or compensation per course, rather than earning an annual salary. Little to no employee benefits: As a contract position, adjunct professors rarely receive benefits.

Do you need PhD for adjunct professor?

Most adjunct instructors require a master's degree as the minimum academic qualification and some require full doctorate degrees. Typically, a master's degree can last two to three years while a doctoral program might take up to five or six depending on the field.

How Much Do I Make as an Adjunct?

Can I be an adjunct professor without a Masters?

In most cases, adjunct professors need a master's degree, but in some cases only require a bachelor's degree and relevant experience. However, over a third have a doctoral degree.

Can you be an adjunct professor with just a masters?

The minimum qualifications you need to become an adjunct professor are a master's degree in the field you want to teach and previous teaching experience, perhaps as a teaching assistant during your graduate education.

Why are adjuncts paid so little?

Adjuncts are paid so little to help universities and colleges save money. Higher education institutions are businesses looking to lower overhead costs and generate revenue. Ultimately colleges save a lot of money by hiring several part-time adjunct instructors rather than full-time tenure-track faculty positions.

Is it difficult to become an adjunct professor?

The primary qualifications for becoming an entry-level adjunct professor depend on the school. Some schools accept as little as a bachelor's degree in a relevant field, but most prefer a master's degree or a doctorate. Non-academic experience can help you stand out from other applicants.

Can you be an adjunct professor as a side job?

Apply for open positions

Alternatively, if being an adjunct professor is your side job , you can work one or two classes to keep the rest of your time open.

How do you address an adjunct professor?

"Professor" usually is a safe bet. Even if he or she has a doctorate, "professor" still works. And if he or she is a lecturer or adjunct who hasn't earned professor status yet, chances are he or she won't mind your giving a promotion. But "Doctor" is the more appropriate title for anyone with a Ph.

Is a lecturer an adjunct professor?

Adjunct Professors are non-tenure track contingent labor, usually part-time and non-salaried. While many universities use "Lecturer" in place of "Adjunct", many also have a class of tenured, full time, salaried Lecturers.

What is another name for an adjunct professor?

In North America, an adjunct professor, also known as an adjunct lecturer or adjunct instructor (collectively, adjunct faculty), is a professor who teaches on a limited-term contract, often for one semester at a time, and who is ineligible for tenure.

Why would someone choose to work as an adjunct instructor rather than a professor?

Flexibility — Adjuncts have more flexibility in their schedules than full-time professors. Some parents with young children choose to teach part-time to spend more time with their kids.

When can you call yourself a professor?

A professor is an accomplished and recognized academic. In most Commonwealth nations, as well as northern Europe, the title professor is the highest academic rank at a university. In the United States and Canada, the title of professor applies to most post-doctoral academics, so a larger percentage are thus designated.

Is adjunct professor stressful?

Put simply, being an adjunct is hard work. In our experience, while the pace may be different, the hours spent preparing for class, teaching (either synchronously or asynchronously), grading, and making ourselves available to students are just as intense as a demanding position in the corporate world.

How old are most adjunct professors?

About 70% of adjuncts are over age 40, and 52% are women. Most (56%) earned a master's as their highest degree attained; one third have a Ph. D. About half teach one or two courses at a single institution; 22% teach three or more classes at two or more institutions.

Can you make money as an adjunct professor?

In the US, at most colleges and universities, adjunct faculty get pay per class (for profits may pay per student). Public colleges tend to pay more and some (few) pay very well. Adjuncts may also have a pension plan, medical, etc.

What subjects are most in demand for adjunct professors?

Adjunct professors in academic departments related to health care, such as science, nursing, and pre-med subjects, are in very high demand. The greatest need for adjunct professors is in fields related to law, business, psychology, engineering, architecture, biology, economics, and criminal science.

What is the problem with adjunct faculty?

Adjunct faculty members continue to teach in uncertain, challenging environments, often with no compensation for service work, no guarantee of employment beyond the term, and no assurance of academic freedom.

What percentage of professors are adjunct?

75.5% of college faculty are now off the tenure track, meaning they have NO access to tenure. This represents 1.3 million out of 1.8 million faculty members. Of these, 700,000 or just over 50% are so-called part-time, most often known as “adjunct.”

Can adjunct professors become full-time?

Adjunct faculty seeking full-time positions must follow a very competitive and arduous process. Often, they interview multiple times before being offered a full-time position.

Can you call yourself a professor with a master's degree?

Yes. It's completely up to the college/university who they hire and, at least in the US and Canada, they're free to give that individual whatever title they feel is appropriate. And over the years I have had a couple of prof who only had Masters degrees.

Can you be called professor with a master's degree?

For example, becoming a professor with a master's degree is possible within a few constraints. Many two-year schools only require instructors to have their master's degree for teaching introductory courses, while some four-year institutions accept these types of instructors on a part-time basis.

How to become an adjunct professor without teaching experience?

To become an adjunct professor with no experience, you will need to have the right educational background. Having a strong GPA and excellent teacher recommendations can improve your odds, along with any related work experience. The primary qualifications to become an adjunct professor ultimately depend on the school.