What is the Difference Between Instructor and Professor?

The main difference between an instructor and a professor lies in their appointment, rank, and tenure status within an academic institution. Here are the key differences:

1. Appointment: Instructors typically have contract-based positions, which can be full-time or part-time, while professors usually hold tenure-track appointments. Here, "professor" refers to a tenure-track professorship appointment, and "instructor" covers everyone else who teaches at universities.
2. Rank: Professors hold higher ranks within academic institutions compared to instructors. The rank of a professor is usually associated with tenure, while instructors may not have tenure.
3. Responsibilities: College instructors typically focus on teaching specific courses or a range of courses, while professors take on additional roles besides teaching, such as participating in departmental meetings and developing curricula.

In summary, instructors usually have contract-based positions and focus on teaching, whereas professors hold tenure-track positions and take on additional roles within the institution.

Comparative Table: Instructor vs Professor

The main difference between an instructor and a professor lies in their academic qualifications, teaching responsibilities, and research involvement. Here is a table summarizing the differences between the two roles:

Instructors typically focus on teaching and may have a more flexible educational background compared to professors. They can be part-time or full-time employees and may not have a Ph.D. or a terminal degree in their field. On the other hand, professors are required to have a Master's or a Ph.D. in their field and balance both teaching and research responsibilities. They are more likely to engage in academic activities and are usually full-time employees.