College Instructors Job Description - Salary, Education and Career Guide for Becoming a College Instructor

A career as a college instructor allows an individual to work in an exciting and stimulating environment. Many kinds of college instructor jobs exist. Some postsecondary teachers have tenure, meaning that they have entered into a contract with the university and cannot be fired without just cause and due process. Non-tenured college instructors work for the college as honorarium, adjunct or part-time instructors.

Job Description

Honorarium faculty earn a stipend for classes they teach or lectures they give. They do not receive a regular salary and are not employed by the college. In addition to giving lectures, they could also be responsible for developing educational Web pages or DVDs, writing articles and manuscripts, or developing home-study courses.
 
The amount they earn per activity depends on their background and the amount of time and effort spent. Highest stipends ($1500-$2000) are given to internationally recognized faculty or those who require extensive travel. Senior faculty, including professors and associate professors, receive an intermediate stipend of approximately $750-$1500. Junior faculty, including clinical instructors and assistant professors, receive the least amount of compensation: $500-$750. Meals, travel and lodging are usually reimbursed.
 
Adjunct and part-time faculty are similar in that neither work full-time for the college. Adjunct instructors have primary jobs outside academia and work as part-time instructors. They normally work in government or in private or nonprofit sectors. Their part-time college instructor jobs involve:
  • evaluating students' progress
  • responding to students' needs
  • teaching classes.
Adjunct and honorarium faculty members usually have specific expertise in a subject and are called upon to share their knowledge or experiences. Some departments, like physics or chemistry, prefer to invite instructors who have doctorate degrees. Other departments seek out recognized experts in the field.
 
Work hours are flexible to accommodate both the faculty and the students. Classes typically take place during weekdays, but they can also be offered at night or on weekends to make them accessible to students with full-time careers. College instructors usually reserve summers for travel, research or vacation, but this varies depending on their assignments.

Salary Guide

The average college instructor salary in 2006 was $56,000 per year. Part-time and adjunct teachers earn less and have fewer benefits than full-time instructors.

Education and Training

Education and training requirements vary widely depending on the type of college and department. Four-year colleges and research universities tend to employ instructors holding doctoral degrees. But they may hire someone with a master's degree for a part-time position or for a non-technical opening such as art. Most positions in a two-year college require at least a master's degree. Also, two-year colleges sometimes require teaching experience or experience with distance learning.

Prior Work Experience

Students thinking of becoming a college instructor may wish to pursue a position as a graduate teaching assistant while still in school. Other ways of gaining experience include:
  • any teaching experience
  • college or university committee work
  • community involvement
  • volunteer work.

Career Advancement

Advancement to tenure is less likely in a slow economy. The number of tenure-track positions is decreasing while the number of part-time and adjunct positions is increasing. Part-time instructors can find many new openings, especially in fields that offer nonacademic career options.

Related Associations and Groups

Many associations and groups exist to help college instructors. Some colleges and universities offer their own associations for part-time instructors. National associations include:
  • Adjunct Faculty Association
  • American Association of University Professors
  • National Education Association.

 

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