Associate professors provide instruction and guidance to students, participate in professional development, and may conduct research. They have less job security than tenured faculty and benefits may vary. They prepare lesson plans, assist students, and may participate in research and departmental development. Their status and benefits vary by institution.
An associate professor provides instruction and guidance to students and can participate in professional development through research and other activities. Such positions do not come with tenure and therefore have less job security than other faculty members at a higher education institution. Benefits and compensation may depend on the employer and the specifics of the position, but may include health care, pension payments and other benefits. It may be possible to negotiate if a candidate has a strong track record.
An important part of an associate professor’s job is teaching in the classroom. This requires preparing lesson plans and lesson materials. If the class is accredited, the associate professor needs to ensure that it meets curriculum standards set by regulators. This can include specific topics that must be covered, as well as specific tasks that students need to complete to develop competence and skill. As requirements can change, associate professors need to follow academic guidelines.
Outside of class, the associate professor usually has office hours to assist students. Students can come together to discuss questions or concerns, get feedback on first draft documents, and request more information on topics of interest. Some associate professors may spend time in a lab, assisting students completing assignments. Community outreach can also be part of the job; an associate professor of entomology, for example, might identify insects for a university outreach program.
Some participate in research and may actively lead researchers and student advisors as they work on projects. An associate professor may also design and implement honors curricula, write letters of recommendation on behalf of students, and work on overall departmental development. This may include meeting with other faculty members to discuss curricula, events, and ways to attract and retain students. Some may be active with student or faculty organizations that advocate for various causes on campus, such as the teachers’ union.
The status of an associate professor can vary depending on the institution. They may need to renew contracts every semester or year rather than enjoy more long-term job security. For some, this is an advantage as it can make it easier to change employers to pursue opportunities and work in new environments. Some are full-time and teach a full course load, while others are hired on a part-time basis to address teaching deficiencies. However, part-time employees may not qualify for additional benefits such as health insurance.
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