Adjunct Teaching

Discussion in 'Online & DL Teaching' started by dwilson1979, Feb 2, 2012.

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  1. dwilson1979

    dwilson1979 New Member

    Currently I have the following:

    AS in Criminal Justice - Community College of the Air Force
    AS in Business Adminstration - Southern New Hampshire University
    BS in Economics/Finance - Southern New Hampshire University
    MBA/MSF - Northeastern University (Still Working)

    I am just wondering after I finish my MBA/MSF how difficult it is to find an adjunct position? I am currently in the Air Force and would like to teach a couple classes on the side to help pay for a DBA. Thank you for any info!!
     
  2. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    Adjunct spots are hard to find, especially without a doctorate. However, if you'll have at least eighteen semester-hours specifically course coded as Finance on your transcript, you may have a decent shot at finding a few gigs if you spread your resume to the four corners of the earth.
     
  3. dwilson1979

    dwilson1979 New Member

    Thanks! Would an online DBA after help at all??
     
  4. rmm0484

    rmm0484 Member

    If you want to adjunct to pay for a DBA, you'd be better off seeking part time employment elsewhere. It has been established elsewhere in this forum that adjuncting does not pay very well.
     
  5. dwilson1979

    dwilson1979 New Member

    It could at least off set a little bit of the cost..
     
  6. rmm0484

    rmm0484 Member

    You need to think of the time spent in grading papers and "attending class" as well. The rule of thumb is the more time you are willing to devote to online teaching, the more classes you will get. I find that I can only teach one class at a time and still have time for my own studies.

    Now, if you can find a university that offers a faculty discount, that is a good way to help even more with expenses. UOP used to give 33% off for its doctorates for faculty members. They have an excellent PhD program/process, IMHO. It is well stuctured and you are given help when it is most needed.
     
  7. cdhale

    cdhale Member

    I brought home quite a bit extra from adjuncting last year, but it does take a lot of time. It is not something that you do on weekends. It takes time every day. Lots of time. It is nice to have the extra $, but I think it would be hard to make any real money as an adjunct and do a real doctoral program. I know some folks do it, but I think it would be really, really hard.
     
  8. ryoder

    ryoder New Member

    I just checked out the pay for a local community college teaching job in computer technology. It is only about 1800 per semester for a 3 credit class! So if a person taught 8 classes per semester for 3 semesters he would make 43K per year.

    HCC pays 58 per "load point" and a 3 credit course is equal to 30 load points. A semester is 12 weeks, so a 3 credit course requires a minimum of 36 hours of face time at the school teaching the course. If the instructor spends the equivalent amount of time doing prep and grading papers, he is working 72 hours to earn $1750. That is about $24 per hour.

    I always thought it would be cool to teach 1 night time CC course per semester but the math just doesn't add up.
    How well does an online course pay?


    From the HCC website:
    Adjunct faculty is compensated at $58.00 per instructional point (based on the number of assigned load points). No distinction is made for advanced degrees and pay is calculated based on actual classes taught (the load points). Load points are generated: (1) one lecture or distance learning credit hour generates 10 load points and (2) one laboratory contact hour or one clinical contact hour generates 8 load points. A three credit course with no lab pays $1,740 for the semester.
     
  9. Randell1234

    Randell1234 Moderator

    They pay $1,500 to $2K for undergraduate classes from the experience I have. I know others have quoted more and others quoted less. I would love to teach on campus again, the experience of doing it is just so different and dynamic. I just don't have the time to committ (X night / X hours every week) and it is not a "profitable" venture when stacked next to online classes.
     
  10. ryoder

    ryoder New Member

    All you care about his profits Randell. Didn't you learn anything at occupy Tampa??? :)
     
  11. Randell1234

    Randell1234 Moderator

    Yes I seen both unemployed people standing out there with signs. I learned not to walk past them because they might rob me!
     
  12. cdhale

    cdhale Member

    My pay is between 1500-2860 per term. Terms last between 5.5 - 8 weeks each. My full time school (a Texas CC) pays 2200 per 3 hour class, but they run for 16 weeks.
     
  13. truckie270

    truckie270 New Member

    I have taught for several schools over the years. I currently work full time for AMU, but teach an occasional course here and there for other schools as an adjunct. Pay rates and structures span the spectrum. One school pays $550 per student for an 11-week term, one pays $2400 for 6 weeks, and another pays about $1800 for 6 weeks.
     
  14. Princeofska

    Princeofska New Member

    Wow Truckie, wish I could find one with that kind of money! Although I have been trying to get into AMU for years. I find that the average are about 2300 a course online (other than UoP, whom I am still an adjunct for)

    Cdhale - Your Texas system must be better than the two Texas systems I am in! The top pays 1950ish, and the other is around 1600.

    To the OP - Adjuncting on ground also takes gas, wear and tear, and more of your time in general (driving, office hours, lecture hours). Also, there is usually a limit how many you can teach - although Ryoder's numbers sound great, that would probably have to be spread over two systems (I do that now, and put 450 miles on my car every week) additionally, adjuncts usually have to fight for good times. Everyone wants to do a one day a week class - it requires less of your time and driving. Oddly, morning classes are the next coveted where I am. I hate the morning, so I am fine taking afternoon classes. Then trying to get classes back to back can be a pain - think of having to spend three hours between classes, unpaid, trying to figure what to do without driving all the way home and then having to turn around.

    I really wish I would have stuck with networking and programing when I was a Freshman in college... this love of the game stuff just wears on you. I love teaching, but in the end, making ends meet as an adjunct is very hard. I should caveat that with "I am in the humanities. " But, from what I hear, business and science adjuncts are having just as hard time nowadays too.
     
  15. jaypatt

    jaypatt New Member

    There's a viral doc that outlines the pros/cons of working at different online universities (includes info on pay). It's in the March 2012 Newsletter Online Teaching Newsletter Archives.
     
  16. RFValve

    RFValve Well-Known Member

    I think this depends on your goal. There are plenty of discussions that you can follow and see the experieces of many in this forum.

    In my experience, how do you earn the doctorate (online or face to face) is not as important as the prestige of institution and accreditation. There are many prestigious programs offered in online format that could be used for promotions or academic positions.

    Many pursue online doctorates because they are looking for adjunct careers. As many mentioned here, online adjunct jobs do not pay substantially but teaching one or two classes here and there can help to keep your self up to date and make some extra money.

    Another concern is that there is no guarantee that you would land an adjunct job after your online doctorate, many have expressed that they were not able to get work even after a doctorate.

    In few words, if you decide to do the doctorate is because you love your field and are convinced that you want to reach the highest level of education and not because you want just to make some money on the side.
     

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