What does an Adjunct Professor do?
Adjunct Professors are part-time college professors who are often hired on a contract basis. While they’re called part-time, they might have a full-time course load during the average semester. An Adjunct Professor is contracted to teach specific classes for a semester or academic year, either in-person or online, and usually doesn’t have the additional responsibilities that full-time professors might have. They may instruct college courses at all levels, from undergraduate to graduate, in any subject. The coursework they teach typically relates to their work industry. For example, a former Police Officer might teach criminal justice classes or a published Author might teach writing classes.
Adjunct Professor skills and qualifications
To be successful in Adjunct Professor careers, candidates need specific skill sets to fulfill the duties of the job. Some of those might include:
- Teaching skills with an understanding of curriculum development, assessments and learning goals
- Expert-level knowledge in the subject area
- Communication and presentation skills
- Comfort with technology to utilize things like online learning systems, online class software and college grading systems
- Ability to collaborate with colleagues
- Analytical and observational skills
- Creativity to make lessons interesting and find new ways to present information
Adjunct Professor experience requirements
An Adjunct Professor typically needs several years of real-world experience in the subject they’re teaching. It’s also common to expect at least some teaching experience, which could be as a teaching assistant or a similar role. Training experience in the industry, such as training new employees or creating and presenting training sessions, could also work in some cases.
Adjunct Professor education and training requirements
Most colleges expect Adjunct Professors to have a minimum of a master’s degree. Some may prefer or require a Ph.D. You might find some colleges, such as technical or community colleges, that accept a bachelor’s degree along with extensive experience in the field. Adjunct Professors typically don’t need a teaching license. Industry certifications can be beneficial for some Adjunct Professors, though. For example, an Adjunct Professor teaching automotive classes at a technical college could benefit from being ASE-certified.
Adjunct Professor salary expectations
According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary for an Adjunct Professor is $26.89 per hour. You can expect salaries to vary based on the region, candidate’s experience, type of college and level of coursework being taught.
Adjunct Professor salary expectations
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Job description samples for similar positions
If an Adjunct Professor isn’t quite the right fit for your vacancy, explore these additional job descriptions for similar positions:
Adjunct Professor job description FAQs
What is the difference between an Adjunct Professor and a full-time Professor?
Adjunct Professors are temporary, contract employees who primarily teach and have few other responsibilities. They don’t get the benefits of Professors since they’re not full-time employees. Full-time Professors often have to conduct research, serve as student advisors and work on committees. They typically have a Ph.D. while Adjunct Professors can have a variety of degrees.
What qualities make a good Adjunct Professor?
A good Adjunct Professor has empathy and cares about their students’ success. Since the position is typically part-time and contractual, candidates need to be flexible and able to adapt to changing situations. Knowing how to read students, what works well for them and how to adjust teaching methods can also help a candidate succeed.
Who does an Adjunct Professor report to?
Colleges are divided into departments based on areas of study. Each department is usually divided into additional divisions. Every department has a head, and the smaller groups also typically have lead Professors. Adjunct Professors might report to the lead Professor or someone in charge of the department, such as the Department Chair or Dean. The hierarchy can vary by college and department.
How can you make your Adjunct Professor job description stand out?
Emphasize the details that make your vacancy unique, such as benefits you offer that other colleges might lack. For instance, if you offer your Adjunct Professors free tuition, list that in the job description. Detail the classes the Adjunct Professor will teach and the structure of the department so candidates can determine if it’s a good match.
*Indeed provides this information as a courtesy to users of this site. Please note that we are not your recruiting or legal advisor, we are not responsible for the content of your job descriptions, and none of the information provided herein guarantees performance.
