Associate Professor - Definition & Meaning

An associate professor is an academic rank or title typically held by faculty members in higher education institutions. It represents an intermediate position between assistant professor and full professor. Associate professors have advanced degrees and demonstrate a high level of expertise and scholarship in their field of study.

Associate professors are responsible for teaching undergraduate and/or graduate courses, conducting research, and providing service to their institution and the academic community. They often mentor students, supervise research projects, and contribute to the development of their academic discipline through scholarly publications and presentations.

In many academic systems, the promotion to associate professor is a significant milestone in an academic career. It signifies the recognition of an individual's accomplishments, contributions, and the attainment of a certain level of expertise and scholarship. The criteria for promotion to associate professor vary across institutions but generally involve demonstrated excellence in teaching, research or creative work, and service to the academic community.

Associate professors often continue to engage in research and scholarship, working towards further advancement to the rank of full professor. They contribute to the intellectual growth of their discipline, serve as role models for students and junior faculty, and participate in the academic governance and leadership of their institutions.

Other Terms Starting With A

Adjunct Professor

An adjunct professor is a part-time instructor who is employed by a college or university to teach courses on a contract basis.

APA

APA stands for the American Psychological Association, which is a professional organization that sets standards and guidelines for academic writing and research in the social sciences.

Active Learning

Active learning is an instructional approach that engages students in the learning process through active participation, collaboration, and hands-on activities.

Academic Probation

Academic probation is a status assigned to students in an educational institution when their academic performance falls below a certain standard or criteria set by the institution.

Auditory Learning Styles

Auditory learning styles refer to a preferred mode of learning in which individuals process information primarily through listening and hearing.

Achievement Test

An achievement test is an assessment tool used to measure a student's knowledge, skills, or competencies in a specific subject area.

Achievement Gap

The achievement gap refers to persistent disparities in educational outcomes between different groups of students, typically based on factors such as socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity, or language proficiency.

Academic Rigor

Academic rigor refers to the challenging and intellectually demanding nature of educational experiences, courses, and curricula.

Authentic Assessment

Authentic assessment is an approach to evaluating student learning that emphasizes real-world, meaningful tasks and demonstrations of knowledge and skills.

Action Research

Action research is a systematic approach to inquiry conducted by educators to investigate and address issues or challenges within their educational contexts.

Academic Achievement

Academic achievement refers to the level of success and accomplishments attained by students in their educational pursuits.

Analytical Skills

Analytical skills refer to the ability to systematically gather, interpret, and evaluate information, identify patterns, and draw logical conclusions.

Accelerated Learning

Accelerated learning refers to an instructional approach that aims to expedite the learning process by employing specific techniques and methodologies designed to enhance retention and comprehension.

Assessment Tooling

Assessment tooling refers to the use of various tools, techniques, and technologies to evaluate and measure learners' knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Associate Dean

An associate dean is a senior administrative position in an educational institution, typically within a college or university.

Aptitude Test

An aptitude test is a type of assessment designed to measure an individual's potential to develop specific skills or perform certain tasks.

Ability Grouping

Ability grouping is an educational practice where students with similar academic abilities or levels of achievement are placed in separate groups for instruction.

Area of Study

An area of study, also known as a field of study or academic discipline, refers to a specific subject or branch of knowledge in which students pursue academic or professional expertise.

Assessment Balance

Assessment balance refers to the thoughtful and equitable distribution of various types of assessments to measure students' learning and academic progress.

Accuplacer

Accuplacer is an assessment tool used by many educational institutions to evaluate the college readiness of incoming students.

Analytical Thinking

Analytical thinking, also known as critical thinking or logical reasoning, is the ability to systematically evaluate information, identify patterns, and draw well-reasoned conclusions based on evidence and data.

Academic Standing

Academic standing refers to a student's status or position in relation to their academic performance and progress within an educational institution.

Academic Performance

Academic performance refers to a student's achievement and success in their educational endeavors.

Academic Year

An academic year, also known as a school year, is the period of time during which educational institutions conduct formal instruction and academic activities.