How To Become An Adjunct Professor Of English: What It Is and Career Path

What is an adjunct professor of english and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted expert

Rebecca Sarver

In pop culture, English professors are usually nerdy people who prefer wearing tweed and enjoy giving inspiring speeches. While some may actually like wearing tweed, English professors are diverse when it comes to teaching style, specialty, and even working conditions. Some work as full-time professors, while others are adjunct professors of English.

Professors of English can specialize in a variety of subjects, from composition to Victorian poetry. No matter their specialty, adjunct professors of English teach students how to improve their writing and interpret literature. In addition to teaching and grading papers, adjunct professors of English often work on their own research and publishing on the side.

Unlike a full-time professor, an adjunct professor of English is usually hired on a temporary or part-time basis. Adjuncts are not eligible for tenure or many of the other benefits that full-time professors have. However, they have more flexibility and can use their experience as adjuncts to eventually gain a tenured position.

What general advice would you give to an adjunct professor of english?

Rebecca Sarver

Lecturer in Human Services Studies, Elmira College

Listen more than you talk. There is so much to be learned from clients, seasoned human service workers, and the community that you work within. By listening and observing versus always feeling compelled to speak, you will learn job skills, people skills, and your clients' needs.

ScoreAdjunct Professor Of EnglishUS Average

Salary

4.3

Avg. Salary $55,207

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

4.9

Growth rate 12%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

5.2

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.28%

Asian 11.29%

Black or African American 7.13%

Hispanic or Latino 10.15%

Unknown 4.93%

White 66.23%

Gender

female 63.33%

male 36.67%

Age - 46

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 46

Stress level

4.9

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level

7.6

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance

6.3

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become an adjunct professor of english

Explore adjunct professor of english education requirements

Most common adjunct professor of english degrees

Bachelor's

52.4 %

Master's

38.2 %

Doctorate

4.6 %

Start to develop specific adjunct professor of english skills

Skills	Percentages
Syllabus	10.10%
Student Learning	7.45%
Learning Outcomes	6.78%
Course Curriculum	6.11%
Literature Courses	4.60%

Research adjunct professor of english duties and responsibilities

Train ESL students in basic English skills in order for them to achieve satisfactory scores on the TOEFL.
Develop lesson plans, teach mechanics and creativity in writing, teach reading, math and manage resource room as needed.
Teach various mathematics courses covering topics such as algebra, trigonometry, linear algebra, and statistics
Instruct arithmetic, pre-algebra and algebra courses.

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