Professor vs Associate Professor
Both professor and associate professor are high-ranking positions in the academic staff of higher education institutions. However, associate professor is one rank below professorship. Depending on the country, associate professorship can hold different places in the hierarchy, but full professorship remains the highest academic title. In the United States, associate professor is one rank higher than assistant professor, while in many Commonwealth countries, it is a position between senior lecturer and professor. Both positions are considered tenured positions in universities.
Key Takeaways
- Professorship is the highest rank in the academic hierarchy of a university, while associate professorship is one rank below full professorship.
- Professors are responsible for conducting research and sharing findings with academic communities locally and internationally, while associate professors are expected to be involved in both teaching and research.
- As associate professors gain more experience in their field over time, they have a good chance of being promoted to full professorship.
Who is a Professor?
A professor is the highest rank in the academic hierarchy of a university. To become a professor, one must typically obtain a Ph.D. Professorship is granted to individuals based on their significant contributions to research and teaching in a particular discipline. Professors are expected to lecture graduate and undergraduate students and often provide guidance in course and curriculum design to junior academic staff. Their main responsibility is conducting research and sharing their findings with academic communities both locally and internationally. Professors often hold positions as heads of departments or faculties and play leadership roles as members of management committees, contributing to the smooth functioning and advancement of universities.
Who is an Associate Professor?
An associate professor is one rank below a full professor. In Commonwealth countries, this position is also known as a reader. An associate professor is someone who has earned a Ph.D. and has considerable teaching and research experience, but is not as senior as a professor. Assistant professorship, the entry-level requirement for academics to join a university’s staff, is one position below associate professorship. In some contexts, associate professors have the right to vote in decision-making processes within their affiliated institute (e.g., in the United States). Although associate professors play an active role in teaching, they often do not supervise Ph.D. students like professors do. Associate professors are also expected to play leadership roles within their institutions, but their responsibilities and job roles may vary depending on the country or institution.
What is the difference between Professor and Associate Professor?
Some important distinctions between the two positions include:
- Professorship is the highest position in an academic staff of a university, while associate professorship is one rank below full professorship.
- Professors play a crucial role in conducting research in a particular discipline, whereas associate professors are expected to be involved in both teaching and research.
- Professors usually play leadership roles in the management of educational institutions.
- There are special jobs, such as supervising Ph.D. students, that are typically reserved for professors based on their seniority.
In conclusion, the wide, long-term experience in teaching and research is what sets professors apart from associate professors. As associate professors gain more experience in their field over time and with increased exposure, they have a good chance of being promoted to full professorship.
