Robert writes:
I know somebody who is posing as a professor at a university. At least I think he is. All he has is a B.S. degree in English, but he is lecturing at a class, and the local news covered it. He portrayed himself as a “professor” but I have serious doubts since he posts no education to indicate any doctorates or other teaching credentials to prove it.
What are the correct or minimal credentials needed for someone to call themselves a “professor”? I don’t want to take a class and either do any of my friends who think some of their “professors” aren’t actually qualified to teach. This problem seems to be larger than anyone thinks.
The rumor is that colleges are hiring people of limited skill for less money, and allowing themselves to call themselves “professors”. How can a student know for sure that the person teaching them is qualified as a professor?
Thank you so much for your answer. I just want to know what to look for to decide if my “teacher” is a “professor” or just a fake.
The Career Doctor responds:
Yours is certainly an unusual question.
As for what it takes to be called a professor? It takes someone with the heart, mind, and passion to tackle the awesome responsibility of educating the future leaders of our society. I have always seen my career as a professor as a calling, and I know many of my colleagues feel the same way.
At most four-year schools, full-time faculty hold terminal degrees — doctoral degrees. However, in certain situations — usually with part-time faculty — colleges and universities make exceptions and hire faculty who may not have a graduate degree but who have certifications and much experience in their field.
Who has the right to call themselves a professor? Anyone who teaches at the college level — whether as lecturer, instructor, part-time or full-time, PhD. or otherwise.
