Adjunct Professor Job Description
The ranks of college educators often include full-time, tenured professors as well as those who work on a part-time or contract basis, called adjunct professors. These professionals are found in colleges and universities around the country. Some adjunct professors are tenure-track instructors, meaning they are full-time teachers working toward tenured positions, while others are part-time employees who have jobs outside the academic setting in their areas of expertise.
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Duties and Responsibilities
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Adjunct professors may be responsible for teaching classes and grading student papers as well as conducting research and publishing academic papers, along with other duties that typically are performed by tenured professors. Some adjunct faculty only give lectures or lead seminars, while others specialize in research or other academic pursuits. Those in tenure-track positions also might serve on faculty panels or in administrative roles in their departments or act as consultants with local organizations, government agencies, businesses or nonprofit organizations.
Education and Experience
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An adjunct professor typically has at least a master's degree, and most have Ph.D.s in the academic field in which they teach. Experience as a teaching assistant or graduate research assistant is also a common requirement. Adjunct professors who are working on tenure in a research-related field usually have backgrounds in research or experimentation. Professional experience or teaching experience in the field of study and expertise is also helpful.
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Skills
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In addition to having an excellent grasp of the subject matter of the classes they teach, adjunct faculty also must be able to effectively communicate both with colleagues and with students and motivate students to achieve academic success. Adjunct faculty may be responsible for teaching their own classes without direction, so a high level of self-discipline is needed as well.
Work Environment
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Adjunct professors, like their tenured counterparts, generally work in an indoor, academic setting. Part-time adjunct professors can work limited hours teaching classes and spend much of their time at their other places of employment, while full-time adjunct professors spend extended hours on the job. Job stress can be high for adjunct professors who are trying to gain a tenured positions, while part-time faculty typically receive limited benefits and have little job security.
Salary and Job Outlook
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The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that the number of post-secondary job openings will increase between 2008 and 2018, thanks mostly to anticipated retirements. The best opportunities will be available to those with Ph.D.s. Non-tenure track professorships present the best job opportunities for job seekers, with new openings expected because of increasing enrollment. Tenure-track positions are expected to remain competitive. According to SimplyHired.com, the average salary for adjunct professors in 2010 was about $49,000.
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References
- Photo Credit college image by Chad McDermott from Fotolia.com
