Q: Are adjunct faculty called professors?

Yes, adjunct faculty are also called professors. Otherwise known as adjunct professors, this is a part-time faculty position. However, universities have nuances in the specific terminology allocated for part-time faculty.

Q: How long does it take to become an adjunct professor?

It takes 4 to 8 years to become an adjunct professor. It depends on the type of adjunct professor position. Most schools require a graduate degree in the field you wish to teach. However, there are some cases where just having a bachelor's degree is enough.

Question 1

How long does it take to become an Adjunct Instructor?

Accepted Answer

It takes 8 years of professional experience to become an adjunct instructor. That is the time it takes to learn specific adjunct instructor skills, but does not account for time spent in formal education. If you include the normal education requirements to complete a college degree, then it takes 11 to 13 years years to become an adjunct instructor.

Question 2

Are adjunct faculty called professors?

Accepted Answer

Yes, adjunct faculty are also called professors. Otherwise known as adjunct professors, this is a part-time faculty position. However, universities have nuances in the specific terminology allocated for part-time faculty.

Question 3

How are adjunct instructors paid?

Accepted Answer

Adjunct instructors are paid an average of $91,000 per year. However, the pay range for an adjunct instructor can exist within a vast range based on pay structure. For example, some adjunct instructors are only paid $1,000 per eligible course due to a pay-per-course structure.

Question 4

How do I become an adjunct professor with no experience?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 5

How long does it take to become an adjunct professor?

Accepted Answer

It takes 4 to 8 years to become an adjunct professor. It depends on the type of adjunct professor position. Most schools require a graduate degree in the field you wish to teach. However, there are some cases where just having a bachelor's degree is enough.

Question 6

What is the difference between an adjunct professor and an instructor?

Accepted Answer

The difference between an adjunct professor and an instructor is the title given to the staff. Instructors tend to be general teachers and monitor students, be it at a university, school, or some other type of activity that requires in-depth instruction.

Question 7

Why are adjuncts paid so little?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 8

What is a good starting salary for an Adjunct Instructor?

Accepted Answer

A good starting salary for an adjunct instructor is $33,000 in the United States. That puts you in the 10th percentile of annual income for an adjunct instructor in the U.S., which is about what you would expect if you were new to the field. The average salary for adjunct instructors is $63,646, but that normally requires some level of experience to achieve. Furthermore, a good starting salary for an adjunct instructor can vary by state.

Question 9

Can an adjunct instructor make 100k?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can make $100,000 per year as an adjunct instructor. The chances of earning over $100k for an adjunct instructor are actually pretty good because the highest-paid adjunct instructor positions typically pay at least $121,000 per year. The average annual salary is $63,646 for adjunct instructor jobs. For example, adjunct instructors in New York whose salaries are in the 90th percentile earn an average salary of $156,000.

Question 10

Can you make a living as an adjunct professor?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can make a living as an adjunct if you work at multiple universities and take on as many courses as possible. At best, working as an adjunct professor is a decent side hustle and can be a good stepping stone for newly-minted university graduates who are unsure what to do next.

Question 11

What percentage of Adjunct Instructors are female?

Accepted Answer

55.1% of adjunct instructors are female in the United States. This is 1.6 percentage points higher than last year. Additionally, the percentage of female adjunct instructors has increased by 0.4 percentage points since 2010. That means there are a total of 610,385 female adjunct instructors in the U.S. and 497,393 male adjunct instructors in the United States. Note that Zippia's estimate accounts only for the 1,107,778 people with the specific job title of adjunct instructor and doesn't include grouping similar job titles, or people with potentially similar credentialing.

Question 12

How do I describe my teaching position on my resume?

Accepted Answer

You can describe your teaching position on a resume by discussing the details of the role and what you accomplished in your teaching position. You should include details such as the subject you taught, how many students you had, as well as other requirements of the role.

Question 13

How do you describe adjunct faculty on a resume?

Accepted Answer

You describe adjunct faculty positions on a resume in a way that highlights your flexibility, teaching experience, and knowledge of the field. While working as an adjunct faculty is not a tenured position, it does give a person major experience in teaching at a university level.

Frequently asked questions about adjunct instructors

Questions about becoming an adjunct instructor