Overview
This lecture discusses the realities of working as an adjunct professor, highlighting job insecurity, low pay, and the crucial role adjuncts play in higher education.
What Is an Adjunct Professor?
- Adjuncts are part-time professors, often hired for their real-world experience or while completing advanced degrees.
- Many adjuncts already have terminal degrees (master’s or PhD) but cannot secure full-time jobs.
- Full-time academic positions are declining, but courses still need to be taught.
Job Structure and Security
- Adjuncts are hired term by term, sometimes notified only weeks before classes start.
- There is no job security; employment often depends on last-minute demand and administrative decisions.
- Many adjuncts work at multiple institutions to piece together enough income.
Compensation and Workload
- Adjunct pay ranges from $2,000 to $7,000 per class, averaging about $3,500 per class.
- Teaching three classes per semester typically yields $10,500, or about $21,000 for two semesters.
- Schools usually limit adjuncts to eight courses per year, capping potential earnings.
- Adjuncts are only paid for classroom time, not for preparation, grading, or office hours.
- Many adjuncts work year-round and still earn barely above the poverty line, despite high educational requirements.
Impact on Higher Education
- Between 50% and 75% of college courses, especially general education courses, are taught by adjuncts.
- Full-time professors often have lighter teaching loads due to research and administrative duties.
- Adjuncts teach introductory courses that are vital to shaping students’ interests and future majors.
Challenges and Consequences
- Adjunct faculty face financial instability, little recognition, and lack of benefits.
- Despite essential contributions, adjuncts are underpaid and overlooked in institutional marketing.
- The reliance on adjuncts is increasing as tenure-track positions decline, making the situation unsustainable.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Adjunct Professor — a part-time instructor hired on a contract basis, often without job security or benefits.
- Terminal Degree — the highest academic degree in a given field (e.g., PhD).
- Tenure Track — a path to permanent academic employment with ongoing job security.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Reflect on the role of adjuncts in your education and consider advocacy for fair compensation.
- No specific readings or assignments were mentioned.