Professor

A professor is an academic of the highest rank at a college or university.

The highest academic rank is based on peer review of the scholar's work, and a process of election by his peers as specified by the rules of each college or university.

Types of Professors

• Professor (general) - A college or university teacher who ranks above an Associate Professor. Sometimes colloquially referred to as a "full Professor."

• Associate Professor - A college or university professor who ranks above an Assistant Professor and below a Professor. Assistant Professors typically gain the rank of Associate upon earning tenure.

• Assistant Professor - A college or university teacher who ranks above an instructor and below an associate professor. This is a typical entry-level position; Assistant Professor usually do not have tenure.

• Adjunct Professor - Attached to a faculty or staff in a temporary or auxiliary capacity.

• Visiting Professor - A professor on leave who is invited to serve as a member of the faculty of another college or university for a limited period of time, often an academic year.

• Professor Emeritus - Retired but retaining an honorary title corresponding to that held immediately before retirement.

References

• The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition. 2000.