Although there are numerous types of adjunct faculty positions, the term “adjunct faculty” needs to be defined. Those employed as “faculty” in some schools are full-time, permanent employees of a specific school, while everyone else is part-time, temporary, or adjunct. In some places, the trend of using faculty in this way is clearly changing, as adjunct faculty positions can now refer to part-time, non-permanent positions on a teaching staff. This teaching staff could work at a variety of colleges, vocational schools, and online schools, either partially or entirely.
The majority of adjunct faculty positions are teaching positions in one or more subjects. This could entail teaching a single class or several, and it is most commonly done at the college or vocational school level. When these jobs are advertised for college instructors, they almost always require at least a master’s degree. Some positions are only available to those with a doctoral degree. Most people specialize in a particular field of study, such as business, math, English, or history, and would be hired in that field, demonstrating the primary distinction between job types. Unless the person has a master’s or doctoral degree in both subjects, an English adjunct instructor is unlikely to be a math adjunct instructor.
This may change slightly at the high school level, where an adjunct faculty position may be available on occasion. Many people can teach multiple subjects and multiple classes in different areas. This scenario could be particularly relevant online, where online adjunct teachers could teach a variety of subjects.
Trade or vocational schools are another place where adjunct faculty positions can be found. Credentialing or degrees may be of lesser importance in these positions. Typically, demonstrable experience in teaching or pursuing a specific thing taught is sought. This could imply that some people hired have strong vocational or trade skills but no formal education.
Most accredited online colleges with adjunct faculty positions operate similarly to traditional brick-and-mortar colleges. They’ll look for knowledge of the subject, computer literacy, and possibly teaching experience. The latter isn’t always the most important criterion, and job pay tends to reflect a lower value placed on experience. However, this can vary, and well-known universities that offer online classes tend to hire adjuncts with impressive teaching experience and education.
The manner in which an adjunct job is constructed is highly dependent on the job. Adjuncts may teach one or more classes, and some work full-time without being paid fairly, having a secure job, or receiving benefits. Many educational experts believe that, while this hiring trend may save money, it does little to benefit teachers or students in the long run. Adjunct faculty positions can help a few people who need extra money, especially at online schools, but those who do it full-time make much less money, barely exceeding poverty level income despite their advanced training.