New Findings on Adjunct Professors

Survey reveals how adjunct professors really operate in higher education.

A new survey conducted by the TIAA Institute, reveals how adjunct professors really operate in higher education.  The national survey interviewed more than 500 adjunct faculty members.  The majority of respondents reported that they were over the age of 40.  Additionally, most respondents said that they primarily taught at a single college or university.  This dispels the common conception that adjunct faculty is primarily made up of younger educators who teach at multiple institutions while pursuing a tenured position.

56 percent of respondents had their master’s degree while one-third had their doctorate.  Just over half (52 percent) revealed that they taught one or two classes on a single campus while 22 percent reported that they taught three or more classes at two or more institutions.

The survey also looked that the respondents’ career aspirations.  Half of those surveyed revealed that they would prefer to have a tenure-track position.  10 percent said that they would prefer a full-time, non-tenure-track position.  Finally, one-quarter of respondents claimed that they preferred working as adjunct faculty.

According to TIAA, adjunct faculty is paid an average of $3,000 per course.  However, the survey revealed that 60 percent of those surveyed were actually paid less.  Finally, the survey found that those under the age of 40 with doctorate degrees had higher levels of dissatisfaction regarding their academic careers when compared to the other respondents.

This is what TIAA’s survey revealed about how adjunct professors really operate in higher education.  Looking for a consulting firm with experience working in higher education?  Then don’t hesitate to contact the professionals at McKnight Associates, Inc.  We are ready to offer you hands-on human resources consulting for colleges, universities, medical centers, and organizations of all sizes.