What is the difference between assistant and associate professor?

Question

I was just wondering what exactly are the clear-cut differences and privileges of assistant and associate professors, as well as full professors. What level of education do they each have to achieve to be named these titles?

Answer 1

There are different levels of employment and pay for university professors.

The lowest level is Instructor or Lecturer. One need not have the PhD for this job, and the pay is relatively low. Also, Instructorships and Lectureships are not tenure-track, which means they do not lead to tenure or lead to the possibility of permanent employment.

The next level is Assistant Professor. For the most part, the Ph.D. is required. (Some fields of study, like Creative Writing, or Dance, require only the MFA). This is a tenure-track position, meaning that the person is given the opportunity to earn tenure, and expected to work toward qualifying for tenure by publishing books and articles, and by achieving competency in classroom instruction, by participating in nationally recognized scholarly associations, and by serving the university on various committees. Assistant professors are paid more than instructors.

The next level is Associate Professor. Usually, this position is associated with the awarding of tenure. Achieving this position generally means that the person has published a certain number of books or articles, and has been judged by a university committee and other (outside) scholars in the person's field of study as having sufficiently distinguished him or herself as a scholar to merit the award of tenure. A scholar at this level also needs to continue to demonstrate involvement in the field of study, and serve on university and nationwide committees. It involves a pay raise as well.

The next level is Professor. Usually, this is earned by the publication of more books and articles, and by achieving national and international recognition as a scholar in one's field. This is generally the highest rate of pay one can earn as a scholar. (Administrators generally make more.)

Answer 2

Associate professors usually have tenure. They can't be fired for their opinions. They can be fired for breaking certain rules, of if a department is closed.

They usually make more money too.

Tenure is usually given after 6-7 years, and a serious review of work at the Assisstant level. Some experienced people can be offered a professorship w/ tenure.

Full professors make more money. It is mostly a title for prestige, symbolic that they have performed well for a number of years.

Virtually all professors have finishing degrees. A doctorate for most fields, but some folks in the arts may have a MFA. Law schools often employ people w/ JD's.

Answer 3

associate is like a partner...assistant is like a helper