How to Tell If College Professors Are Adjunct When Registering for Classes

When registering for college classes, students often choose courses for which they know the professor or his/her reputation. Students want to know that the instructor teaching them has expertise in the field and teaching experience in order to get the best possible learning experience. Identifying adjunct faculty -- or those faculty who are newer, part-time and less experienced -- can be helpful, although often tricky. While many adjunct professors are excellent, there are certain drawbacks to the position, such as a lack of sufficient time to meet with students or answer student concerns, since few adjuncts have offices and most have other jobs.

Things You'll Need

  • Computer
  • Internet access
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      When you register for classes, check the names of the professors. Any course that lists "staff" has not been filled yet and will almost definitely be taught by an adjunct faculty member.

    • 2

      If a professor's name is listed, check the faculty websites. Most universities and colleges now provide faculty with websites where you can find information from class syllabi to office hours. A few hints that a faculty member is an adjunct are lack of office hours or no listed office. Most full-time faculty will have an office on-campus.

    • 3

      Call the dean or department chair of the department in which the class is housed. Colleges will not advertise who is an adjunct and who is not but, when pressed, they may provide that information. You can also ask which professor is the best fit for your specific needs. A permanent instructor with substantial experience will normally be recommended.

    • 4

      Talk to your adviser. College advisers know who's who on the campus. While they may advise you that adjunct faculty are just as strong as other instructors, if you express your desire to be in a permanent professor's class, they can steer you in the right direction.

EduJourney © www.0685.com All Rights Reserved