Are All Assistant Professors Tenured? Exploring Job Security In Academia

Is an assistant professor tenured? An assistant professorship is a position within academia that typically serves as a stepping stone towards tenure. Those appointed as assistant professors are expected to demonstrate the potential to excel in both scholarly research and teaching. Moreover, they are expected to be competitive candidates for a tenured position within their department within a specified timeframe, usually around seven years. This means that while assistant professors are not automatically tenured, they are on a path that can lead to tenure if they meet the institution’s criteria and expectations for excellence in research and teaching.

A non-tenure track assistant professorship is a distinct academic position that deviates from the traditional path of securing lifetime employment through tenure. In this role, individuals are hired on contractual agreements, usually spanning a duration of 1 to 3 years. Unlike their tenure-track counterparts, non-tenure assistant professors do not have the expectation of achieving tenure, which is a coveted, permanent position in academia granted to those who demonstrate exceptional teaching, research, and service contributions to their institution. Instead, they often focus primarily on teaching and may have less involvement in research or institutional governance. This arrangement offers institutions flexibility in staffing and allows them to bring in specialized expertise for shorter-term needs, such as filling gaps in course offerings or addressing temporary enrollment surges. It’s important to note that non-tenure track faculty members may have differing job security and benefits compared to their tenured or tenure-track colleagues.

Are assistant professors considered real professors? Yes, the title of “Professor” represents a distinct profession in academia, and the designations of Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor primarily indicate different ranks within this profession. In the United States, where I am located, it’s common for students to address not only Full Professors but also lecturers as “Professor” as a way to acknowledge their important role and demonstrate respect. For instance, I hold the rank of Associate Professor at my institution. This practice is culturally acceptable and appropriate in many educational settings. (Note: The date of this statement is January 18, 2015.)