Higher Education / University Glossary

Associate Professor

What does the academic term Associate Professor mean in higher education?

Associate Professor


Associate Professor definition

Short Definition

Associate professor is a faculty rank above assistant professor and below full professor. Associate professors have demonstrated excellence in teaching, research and service.


In-depth Overview

Associate Professor

Long definition: An associate professor is an academic rank and position within the faculty of a college or university. Individuals at this level have usually completed their doctoral degrees and have gained substantial experience and expertise in their field. They are recognized for their contributions to research, scholarship and teaching. Associate professors are responsible for instructing students, conducting research in their area of specialization and often taking on administrative roles within their departments or institutions. Promotion to this rank typically requires a combination of research productivity, effective teaching and service to the academic community.

Etymology: The term "associate professor" originates from the Latin word "professor", which means "one who professes" or "one who teaches". The prefix "associate" signifies that the individual has achieved a level of expertise and recognition just below that of a full professor.

Synonyms or related academic terms:
  • Assistant professor (predecessor rank)
  • Tenured associate professor (after achieving tenure)
  • Adjunct professor (part-time or non-tenure-track faculty)
Examples of Use:
  1. Dr. Smith was promoted to the position of associate professor after several years of productive research and excellent teaching evaluations.
  2. The associate professor delivered a keynote lecture at the international conference, showcasing their expertise in the field.
Translations:
  • Spanish: Profesor asociado
  • French: Professeur associé
  • German: Juniorprofessor (Germany), außerordentlicher Professor (Austria)
  • Italian: Professore associato
  • Portuguese: Professor associado
  • Japanese: 准教授 (Junkyōju)
  • Chinese (Simplified): 副教授 (Fù jiàoshòu)
  • Hindi: एसोसिएट प्रोफेसर (Esośiyāṭ Prafesar)

Visitors interested in learning more about faculty ranks and academic positions, including associate professors, can use the uniRank World Universities Search Engine to explore faculty profiles and academic roles at universities and colleges worldwide.


Wikipedia Article

Associate Professor


unirank Glossary Classification

Miscellaneous higher education terms > University roles and job titles



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