Adjunct Professor Online

An adjunct professor is generally a part-time professor without a permanent position (no tenure, or possibility of tenure) at a particular academic institution. They often (out of necessity) hold a job outside the academic institution. Most often, the term adjunct refers to persons hired to teach courses on a contractual basis (frequently renewable contracts). It is generally with a teaching load below the minimum required to earn benefits (health insurance, etc.) although the number of courses taught can vary (usually determined by overall credits).

An adjunct is generally not invited to participate in administrative duties, nor do they have research responsibilities. Compensation for these adjunct positions is usually minimal, even though adjuncts typically hold a PhD (or a Masters if teaching at a community college). The poor pay often forces adjuncts to teach at multiple institutions in order to make ends meet. Many universities have taken advantage of this situation and have reduced their need for tenure-track (full time) faculty by bringing on board more adjunct faculty (saving up to 1/3 in salaries).

Having said that, teaching at a university or community college as an adjunct teacher can also be a joy. Without the hassle of administrative work, or the uncertainty of university politics, adjunct teaching can be very attractive to those people who have a “day” job but want to teach or associate with academia in some way.

Many professionals find teaching as an adjunct very satisfying. Also, putting “adjunct professor” on the resume may pay dividends in the business world.

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