College Teachers and Their Titles: Beyond Professors
When stepping into a college classroom, it's common to see a wide variety of academic titles being used. While many assume all college teachers are called professors, this is not entirely accurate. In this article, we will explore various titles used in academia and who typically holds them.
The Hierarchy of College Teachers
Among the different titles associated with college teachers, some of the most common are:
Lecturers
Lecturers are often full-time or part-time instructors whose primary focus is on teaching rather than research. They play a critical role in educating students, often with expertise in their subject area but not necessarily at the professorial level. While some lecturers may hold a doctoral degree, not all do.
Instructors
Instructors can refer to teachers at various levels of experience. They typically have fewer research responsibilities compared to professors. Instructors may hold degrees ranging from bachelor's to doctoral, depending on the institution's requirements and the specific role.
Adjuncts
Adjunct faculty members are part-time instructors who teach specific courses but are not usually involved in the institution’s broader academic responsibilities. They bring valuable expertise and teaching experience to the classroom, often serving as a supplement to full-time faculty.
Teaching Assistants (TAs)
TAs are graduate students who assist professors with teaching duties. They often lead discussion sections or lab sessions, supporting both the professor and the students. TAs play a crucial role in helping students understand complex concepts and providing additional support outside of regular lecture hours.
Considering Personal Titles
While it might be tempting to call all teaching staff professors, it's important to recognize that not all titles reflect the same level of expertise or responsibility. As one adjunct teacher humorously points out, many teachers prefer to be referred to by their actual title rather than the more prestigious term professor.
Many of them do. I usually ask them not to call me professor though because I am just an adjunct and don’t have a PhD.
Instructors with a PhD are often addressed as professor or doctor when they teach classes, emphasizing their academic credentials and experience.
United States Context
In the United States, the landscape of college teaching is quite diversified:
In the USA about half the teachers of lower-division and general education courses will be adjuncts, graduate teaching fellows, or instructors. Many of the adjuncts and instructors will be doctors but not professors. In your upper-division courses, you will have more courses taught by assistant professors, associate professors, and full professors. Typically, the older and greyer they are, the more likely they are to be full professors as it typically takes 6-7 years to get a promotion to associate, then another 6-7 or 10-12 years to get a promotion to a full professorship.
This hierarchy reflects the time and effort required to advance through each position, from instructor to assistant professor, associate professor, and finally, full professor. The tenure and promotion process can be lengthy, making the title of professor a significant achievement.
United Kingdom Perspective
In the UK, the academic titles are slightly different but equally as diverse:
No.
Not in the UK certainly. I am a tutor/lecturer/course leader which basically means I teach the other tutors and write the textbooks, but I am not a professor, even though a lot of my non-UK students address me as such.
The UK uses terms like lecturer, tutor, and Course Leader interchangeably, depending on the institution and role. The title of professor is reserved for those with significant research experience and a high level of academic standing.
General College Teacher Titles
To provide a clearer picture, here's a general breakdown of titles used across most college settings:
Doctors
Candidates with a doctorate degree (non-medical).
Professors
Candidates with a master's degree or above. Some individuals with a doctorate may prefer to be called professor.
Instructors/Teachers
Candidates with a bachelor's degree.
Adjunct
Instructors who are not full-time and work on a part-time basis.
Understanding these titles not only provides clarity in academic settings but also helps in building effective communication with teaching staff. Whether you're a student, a new hire, or a visiting professional, recognizing the role and title of your colleagues can significantly enhance your experience and interactions within the academic community.