University teaching in the US

Howdy friends.

I must admit that my knowledge concerning teaching at colleges/universities in the States is rather limited. I reckon this is due to the fact that the (Continental) European system seems to be very different, plus: I simply don´t know the American "job titles" for the single professions...

In Germany (/Austria/Switzerland), the system usually goes like this: after your graduation (mostly "Diplom" in Germany, "Magister" in Austria and "Lizentiat" in Switzerland; all 4.5 to 5 year-degrees equivalent to a Master´s), you make your PhD, which takes another 3 to 5 years. With a PhD, you are allowed to teach at universities, but are not allowed to call yourself a "Prof.", unless you write a 5-6 year long extremely advanced "postdoctoral thesis" ("venia legendi" or "Habilitation"). All in all, it takes hell of a time to become a Professor. (This is all about the "regular" way, which means it stands for 90 per cent or so. Of course there are also sometimes "Professors" who only have a PhD, and not a "Professor degree", but are top experts from the Business, as the SAP or the Siemens - CEO´s. The get some kind of a "honorary Professor degree" then).

So much for OUR system,
now I would like to understand the American one more.

What would be for example a...

1. 
   *Teaching Assistant?
   *Associate Professor?
   *Assistant Professor?
   *Adjunct Professor?
   *Tenured Professor?
   *Full-Time Professor?
   *etc., etc. (if there ARE etc.´s)
   [/list=1]
   
   AND: what "entry requirements" would you usually need to become either one of these?
   
   AND: what would be an average income for each of these jobs?
   
   I hope not to bother you too much with my questions, but I am very interested in this topic since I just started to think about teaching at postsecondary level in one of the English speaking countries...
   
   My personal situation (maybe you could tell me for what of the above jobs I COULD possibly apply with my qualifications so far):
   
   1. 
      *Dutch BBA degree (in English language)
      *German University Diploma in Business Administration (4.5 years, qualifies to make your PhD)
      *German M.A. in Marketing (in English language)
      *German MBA degree in General Management (Concentration in Entrepreneurship)
      [*Australian Master of Management degree (Concentration in HR Management) [in 2005, hopefully]]
      [/list=1]
      
      Of course all of my degrees are "GAAP" (all from state universities).
      
      So, would these degrees qualify me to teach in the US?
      Or in GB/AUS, etc.?
      
      What do you think?
      
      Or would I need to make a PhD first?
      (what I might also do in the next 2-3 yers, if necessary)
      
      I would really like to understand your system and see if there might be a chance for me to go to the States e.g. in order to become a "Professor" there? That could be a major advantage over my European colleagues because I would be a lot younger than them when already becoming a Prof., especially when going back to Europe after a few years...
      
      I´d appreciate many, many answers!
      
      Best regards from Germany,
      
      and thank you so much!
      
      Yours,
      
      Trigger

 

You could probably teach at a junior college or maybe as a lecturer at a university but you will need the Phd to become a professor.

 

With all those business-oriented credentials, I am fascinated to know why you seem to avoid the obvious: i.e., a position in international business. If money matters to you, and it seems to, I can guarantee the pay would be better in the business arena than in the educational arena. Certainly on this side of the Atlantic, anyway.

Peter

 

First, the salaries vary widely depending on the type of school and it is probably not reasonable to give across the board averages.

With your degrees you could teach in many community colleges (2 years colleges that grant associate degrees) and some smaller 4 year colleges as a lecturer or instructor. Occassionally after time, publications, conference presentations, and service you might be promoted to assistant professor under special circumstances.

In most universities the structure is lecturer, instructor, assistant professor, associate professor, and professor. Tenure occurs at the associate professor level. On average, it takes 5-6 years to go from assistant to associate and 5-6 more years to go from associate to full professor. Critical to advancement are research, publications, professional presentations, service and student evaluations. The process can be sped up or slowed down depending on your contributions as well as sped up or slowed down depending on university needs and funding.

Affiliate and Adjunct professor postions are reserved for part time appointments or for honorary appointments.

This is just a rough draft summary based on my own experiences and review of a number of universities. It may vary some from campus to campus. The point is that it can 10 or more years after you earn your doctorate to gain full professor status and many never gain this status.

 

T:
Okay, I must admit I was a little lazy:
I am just in the process of finishing my two master´s degrees. I just handed in the MBA master thesis, and I will finish the M.A. one in January.
So, the was not really an opportunity so far to apply for jobs.
Plus: The momentary job market situation in Germany is - to speak frankly - more than lousy. And I´m not quite sure if my English is good enough to go to "international business", or moreover e.g. to the States...
Besides, my credentials are good, but not top tier. They are from regular average state universities, not from the very top ones...




If money matters to you, and it seems to, I can guarantee the pay would be better in the business arena than in the educational arena. Certainly on this side of the Atlantic, anyway.
Peter [/QUOTE]

T:
That is for sure.
And I´m of course aware of the fact.
But on the other side, it´s a profession that I would certainly like.
Actually, money does always matter - but only up to the amount that one could decently live (meaning you can pay your rent, your car, your insurances for your family and still have some bucks left at the end of the month).

Anyway, thank you all for your answers.
At least I do now understand your whole system better.
Unfortunately it seems that I would have to wait until I have my PhD before trying to take the chance to go to America.

Thanks again!

T.

 

Trigger,

The situation in the U.S. is so varied as to defy any straightforward answer. Your best recourse would likely be compatriots who are in the place you desire. There are likely a good number of U.S. professors hailing from Germany and you could ask of them if you can locate them.