This podcasts explores a Higher Ed Jobs article from AcademicJobs.com that compares and contrasts the roles of associate professors and professors in higher education. Key differences discussed include career duties (teaching, research, student supervision), work environment (schedule flexibility, influence on curriculum), and qualifications (experience, research output). Both positions require a doctorate and significant teaching experience, but professors hold the highest rank on the tenure track, having progressed from associate professor after a successful review. The article also explores the necessary skills for both roles (
How do associate and full professorships compare in higher education?
Associate and full professors are both tenure-track positions in higher education, but there are some key differences between the two roles. An associate professor is a mid-level position that typically comes after five to seven years of experience as an assistant professor. To become an associate professor, a candidate must demonstrate exceptional teaching or research skills and achieve tenure. A full professor, also known as a tenured professor, is a senior-level position that is the highest promotion available on the tenure track. After five to seven years as an associate professor, the university holds another review to assess their qualifications to become a professor.
While both associate and full professors teach classes and develop curriculum, full professors typically have more responsibilities such as supervising graduate students, presenting research findings at conferences, and publishing research in articles and books. Full professors also have more job security and may have more control over their schedule and the classes they teach. Additionally, they may be able to suggest new course topics or changes to the curriculum.
Both positions require a doctorate degree and prior teaching experience. Aspiring professors must complete an undergraduate degree, choose a topic of specialization, attend graduate school, complete an internship, attend a doctoral program, and gain teaching experience.
The median salary for professors in the U.S. is $79,640. However, experience, location, and subject all factor into how much a professor may earn. The highest 10% of postsecondary teachers can expect to make over $170,000 per year, while the lowest 10% earn less than $46,690. Professors who teach courses on law, engineering, economics, and health specialties earn higher salaries than those who teach political science and biology. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects job growth for postsecondary teachers to be 12% between 2020 and 2030, which is faster than the national average for all occupations.
Here are the steps to become a professor, as outlined in the sources:
1.
Complete an undergraduate degree: This prepares aspiring professors for graduate programs.
2.
Choose a topic of specialization: This is the subject the student will likely teach or research at the college level.
3.
Attend graduate school: This is a requirement to work as a college professor.
4.
Complete an internship: Many graduate schools require this, and students who aspire to be professors may choose an internship that allows for classroom experience.
5.
Attend a doctoral program: Most colleges require professors to have a doctorate. Graduating from a doctoral program demonstrates job qualification and a necessary level of expert knowledge.
6. Gain teaching experience: During college, most students work closely with a professor to gain experience.
Here's a breakdown of their typical duties:
Associate Professor Duties:
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Acquiring funding for research
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Conducting research
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Creating lesson plans and syllabuses
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Teaching classes and advising students in their specialty field
Professor Duties:
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Presenting upcoming research or reporting previous research findings
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Teaching classes and developing curriculum
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Find higher ed jobs at www.AcademicJobs.com
