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What does an Associate Professor do?

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Brenna Goyette
Certified Professional Resume Writer, Career Expert

Published 3 min read

An Associate Professor is a academic staff member at a university who has been awarded tenure.

Associate Professor job duties include:

  • Research and develop ideas for new courses or curriculum
  • Teach undergraduate and/or graduate classes
  • Advise students on course selection, degree requirements, and career options
  • Serve on academic or administrative committees
  • Develop research proposals and secure funding
  • Write articles, books, or other publications based on research findings
  • Give presentations at conferences or other events
  • Work with colleagues to develop new programs or initiatives
  • Perform administrative tasks such as chairing a department or serving as dean

Associate Professor Job Requirements

An Associate Professor typically requires a terminal degree in their field, such as a PhD, as well as teaching experience at the collegiate level. In addition, they must maintain an active research program and publish their findings in scholarly journals. Some colleges and universities may also require that the candidate have administrative experience.

Associate Professor Skills

  • Excellent communication skills
  • Able to work independently
  • Strong organizational skills
  • Good time management skills
  • Ability to multitask
  • Detail oriented
  • Creative thinking
  • Problem solving skills
  • Research skills
  • Writing skills
  • Teaching experience

Related: Top Associate Professor Skills: Definition and Examples

How to become an Associate Professor

There is no one path to becoming an Associate Professor. However, there are a few things that will help you on the way. Firstly, you will need to obtain a PhD in your field of choice. Secondly, you will need to complete post-doctoral research or teaching experience at a university. Finally, you will need to publish your research in respected journals and present at conferences. If you can do all of these things, you will be well on your way to becoming an Associate Professor.

Related: Associate Professor Resume Example

Related: Associate Professor Interview Questions (With Example Answers)

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Brenna Goyette

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Brenna is a certified professional resume writer, career expert, and the content manager of the ResumeCat team. She has a background in corporate recruiting and human resources and has been writing resumes for over 10 years. Brenna has experience in recruiting for tech, finance, and marketing roles and has a passion for helping people find their dream jobs. She creates expert resources to help job seekers write the best resumes and cover letters, land the job, and succeed in the workplace.

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