A university scholar who teaches advanced courses, conducts research, and mentors students.
What professors do
Professors teach undergraduate and graduate courses, advise students, conduct research, publish in peer-reviewed journals, write books, secure grants, and serve on university committees. Senior faculty often direct research labs and graduate programs.
Training path
Most US professors earn a doctorate in their field, often spending five to seven years on graduate work and a dissertation. Tenure-track positions follow several years of postdoctoral or visiting roles. Promotion to tenured professor requires sustained research, teaching, and service.
Settings
Professors work in research universities, teaching-focused colleges, community colleges, professional schools such as law and medicine, and online universities. Practicing professionals also serve as adjuncts teaching applied courses.
The same subject, elsewhere: professor slogans and puns about professor.
Find more professions by letter
Professor starts with P and ends with R. Browse other professions along the same letter.
Professions that contain a letter from "Professor":