how to become a college professor without a phd

Is it possible to become a Professor without a PhD degree ? Can someone become a Professor with a Master's or Bachelor's Degree ?

I just learnt that some people are already Professors without having the highest degree which is PhD. How possible for someone to become a Prof without obtaining a PhD degree ? What are the criteria for such appointment if possible? Can someone become a Professor with a Master's or Bachelor's Degree ? Kindly give an instance if possible . Thanks

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Yes, I was one of them with only a Masters, but actually two Masters. I got one of them in Europe, when I immigrated to N. America, they would not accept it, so I did my second one. Altogether I spent 5 years in research. Some of my co-workers had PhD but not a Masters, so they spent just 3-4 years after the bachelor.

In my group of outreach teaching (not on campus, but in rural settings) about half of the profs had PhD, the rest just Masters or a variety of other diplomas. We had great success to train aboriginals into teachers.

It was a unique experience in N. America, but the project was terminated. We have been getting a bombardment of inquiries to restart, but nothing was done to satisfy such a huge interest.

Popular replies (1)

Sounds strange in practice, but in theory i don't think the amount of research one has carried out will merely qualify such a person for Professorship without any Ph.D. Maybe Honorary Professorship which is also rare. Because i know honorary degrees are usually awarded based on your highest qualification.

For instance, if i have a Masters in say - Law, any university granting me an honorary degree will award me a Ph.D. If i was First degree holder, then i will be awarded a Masters degree. To award me a Prof. from just first degree or Masters sounds strange.

All replies (121)

University of Mohaghegh Ardabili

Maybe it is better to try to climb to professorship via the most rigorous path.

University of Agriculture, Abeokuta

It can only be honorary degree. It is possible, I know one university in Nigeria awarded a musician an honorary Professor of music.

Sigmund Freud University Vienna

In theory it should be possible.

If you get a professorship depends on your ability of outstanding scientific work and publications. You can publish with a BAK as well as with a PHD. If you proof your skills with a lot of peer reviewed publications in journals with a high impact factor and you where working on a special field no one else has your experience, it should be possible to appoint such a person to the position of a professor.

But, it all depends on your reputation and it is very unlikely that a person with a high ranking scientific profile, just finishes a BAK, as writing about topics in such a depth that the work stands out of all others, requires way more work as a single PHD, although a PHD can be so immensely well done and joined by so many more articles by that person, that it counts enough.

ICAR- Central Institute of Fisheries Education

depends upon the rules and regulations of the university and the country.

But mostly, it based on research and teaching experience / contribution along with essential qualifications.

Scientific and Production Center Armbiotechnology

No, in my country PhD is in requirements.

University of Agriculture, Abeokuta

Interesting contributions

Benghazi University, Benghazi, Libya

I totally agree with A. K. Jaiswar it depends on the rules and regulations of the universities and country, but mostly based on research and teaching experience.

Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center

The answer is actually a bit more simple than it seems. In the United States, there are Junior Colleges that typically only offer Associate degrees and certificates. Then there are four (4) year colleges or universities, typically called undergraduate schools, that only offer Bachelor degrees. Junior Colleges, and four (4) year colleges/universities, that only offer BA/BS degrees can have full pledged professors with only a Master degree. The typical university offers professorships only to those with a PhD or other practical doctorate. The obvious is clear, you cannot teach what you don't know, so it would be impossible to teach in a PhD program when you only hold a MA/MS or less. For those whom lack the knowledge of the difference between a college and university is the number of school/divisions within that university. For an example, many years ago, as a younger man, when I applied to Columbia University, NY, NY, while I applied to the university at large, the school/division of psychology, was housed in the Teacher's College. Also, within a university, one of the schools must be an undergraduate school where BA/BS degrees are offered.

The Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro

It is not possible in my Country

Al-Furat Al-Awsat Technical University

Yes, it is possible in my country...

Its better to have Ph.D. Again its greatly depends on the particular University policy and requirements. But however, becoming a Professor with a Master degree required substantial research background.

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

An MFA is a terminal degree in the States, and does allow for a tenured position. Though, it often depends on the institution and its cultural / professional norms as to how the degree is recognized.

You can teach at a Lecturer level with a Master's but to move into an assistant, associate or full professor it requires a doctoral degree.

I think this exists in my country but in my view not getting a PhD is a major hindrance in obtaining a Professor degree because PhD degree is a major joint in academic and research life.

University of Johannesburg

YES IF YOU DO INNOVATIVE RESEARCH AND IT IS CERTIFY..WE HAVE ON IN UJ

I really appreciate your insightful contributions Dr.

Hassan Izzeddin Sarsak

Eskisehir Osmangazi University

The legislation of the countries may vary. Sometimes the professors may be appointed by legal regulations to provide certain classifications. In my country, when I started academic life, there were very few professors who had no doctor title. Now that academic generation is retired.

Afe Babalola University Ado - Ekiti Ekiti State, Nigeria

Would you love Billgate or the late Steve Jobs to be one of your distinguished faculty and professor in Software Engineering or Smart systems?

Would you also want to include Prof. Wole Soyinka on the list of distinguished scholars in Humanities and literary arts?

I think a Professorial chair should be given to anyone with reqisite content in the subject area or field of competence irrespective of traditional degrees: Bachelors, Masters, Ph.D

It can be just anyone with valuable content who can deliver on the assignment

Gujarat Arts and Science College, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, INDIA. (Government College, Pincode - 380006.)

Dear Omolayo M. Ikumapayi ,

No, it is not possible to become a Professor without a PhD degree.

Ph.D degree in concerned subject/allied/relevant discipline is "Minimum Eligibility" or "Academic Criteria" or "Standard Requirement"

to become a "Professor" in INDIA

as per UNIVERSITY GRANTS COMMISSION February, 2018.

Please go to the "UGC Regulation" page number 7 and 35 attached here with.

III. Professor:

Eligibility:

(i) An eminent scholar with Ph.D. qualification(s) in the concerned/allied/relevant discipline and published work of high quality, actively engaged in research with evidence of published work with a minimum of 10 research publications in the peer reviewed/ UGC listed journals and a total research score of 120 as per the criteria given in Appendix III,Table 2.

(ii) A minimum of ten years of teaching experience in university/college as Assistant Professor/Associate Professor/Professor, and/or research experience at equivalent level at the University/National level institutions/industries with evidence of having successfully guided doctoral candidate.

(iii) Contribution to educational innovation, design of new curricula and courses, and technology – mediated teaching learning process.

An outstanding professional with Ph.D. in relevant/allied/applied disciplines from academics/research institutions/industries, who has made significant contributions to the knowledge in the concerned/allied/relevant discipline to be substantiated with documentary evidence.

IV.Senior Professor in Universities

i) The appointment to the post of Senior Professor shall be through direct recruitment.

ii) Up to 10 percent of the existing sanctioned strength of Professors in the university shall be appointed as Senior Professor in the universities.

Eligibility:

i) An eminent scholar with good track record of high quality publications in the reputed journals, significant research contribution to the discipline and engaged in research supervision.

ii) A minimum of ten years of teaching/research experience as Professor or an equivalent grade in the University/College/National level institute.

iii) Selection shall be based on academic achievements, favourable review from three eminent subject experts who are not less than the rank of Senior Professor or a Professor of at least ten years experience.

iv) The selection shall be based on ten best publications in the Peer reviewed/UGC listed journals and award of minimum two Ph.D degrees under his/her supervision during last 10 years and interaction with aSelectionCommittee constituted as per UGC Regulations.

SOURCE :

I hope the information will help you.

With Best Regards,

Samir G. Pandya

Covenant University Ota Ogun State, Nigeria

Is it possible, yes it is, though in time past. I am aware of three cases in such profession as law, engineering and are architecture. Not likely anymore. Contribution publication and others are likely consideration.

Universidad Nacional Pedro Henríquez Ureña

Claro, el conocimiento y las competencias se adquieren y desarrollan por medio del auto estudio y autoaprendizaje, un documento no garantiza el desempeño de la persona. Sin embargo la formación académica da disciplina, y de manera sistemática como poder mejorar el desempeño del profesor.

National University of Cuyo

Estoy de acuerdo con Enrique Cambier Marmolejos, ser educador no exige "per se" contar con un doctorado, es más podría ocurrir que quien tenga un doctorado sea un pésimo profesor. Para educar son fundamentales aptitudes y capacidades personales que no se obtienen por un doctorado. El doctorado puede sustentar la rigurosidad en el estudio, la creatividad o genio personal, la especialización muy profunda en un tema y avalar que uno ha tenido las condiciones y el tiempo para investigar. Pero de ningún modo acredita la empatía indispensable para el vínculo humano y la claridad mental para participar de la enseñanza aprendizaje, ser capaz de explicar de una y mil veces sin perder el entusiasmo un tema, o ser un genuino mediador y inspirador para los estudiantes. El educador es capaz de caminar con sus estudiantes y ayudarlos a que saquen lo mejor de sí. El doctor puede, y es deseable que también sea educador en el sentido antes dicho, pero si no lo fuera caso contrario sólo tendría el título o cargo de profesor. Ni siquiera contar con preparación pedagógica nos hace educadores. El doctorado suma a la universidad , al propio docente pero no lo hace educador.

It's completely possible in my country. There are thousands of professors without having a PhD degree.

Yes possible, in our country many of the professors have not PHD but without having Master's degree nobody can be a university teacher.

Regards

University of Guadalajara

It is difficult but in some contries can happend

Mississippi Delta Community College

In MississippI, you can become a professor without the PhD, but most universities will require you to obtain it to continue your employmen.

The professional training of teachers, according to the level of education in which it is exercised, responds to various demands.

Reaching a bachelor's, master's or doctorate is one of the current requirements for the occupation of jobs, especially at the university level and in favor of the constant processes of external evaluation of training programs and the evaluation of institutions.

You can be a good teacher without being a PhD.

Even being able to work as a good teacher without becoming an exceptional researcher, these elements complement each other, but the fundamental thing is the professional performance that the teacher offers the new generation.

However, there is an explanatory theory of satisfaction relationships, the illness of teachers, the quality of work and the learning of students that are based largely on the consistency of the teaching qualification.

There are more explanations in:

University of Castilla-La Mancha

Dear Omolayo. I totally agree with Reinaldo since you can be a brilliant teacher without being a PhD. A PhD doctorate candidate should hold a Degree and a Master Degree research-related. The best.

Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski University in Warsaw

If someone becomes a professor without a doctoral degree then this is not a title given traditionally as a scientific title only as a title given according to another formula and the meaning of this type of title is already somewhat different in the world of science.

Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi

Absolutely yes. This is based on the university criteria and need and can be awarded based on the position being filled ( such as clinical track or academic track or research track)

California State University, East Bay

Yes. I did find too. In Nepal, I had met some Professors who did not have PhD. But they had their Master's Degree and long teaching experiences.

Chalmers University of Technology

I know of at least one scholar who simply did not need the title; she/he became a professor before getting the PhD degree.

I had two Masters from different countries (one didn't recognize the first, so I had to do another degree). Those qualifications were deemed enough to become professor. When I applied the advertisement mentioned that a Master's may be sufficient.

A professor should guide the students of highest degree at his institution, that is a PhD degree. If one is still able to guide a PhD stduent with his own research experiences, yes, possible. Otherwise, a blind research person cannot and should not be a successful professor.

In point of fact, it depends very much on the "professionally oriented" fields such as journalism, genetics. In more traditional fields (Microbiology, history, social science etc.), someone would probably need a very long and distinguished career publishing original material before even being considered. One should also consider the paradoxical interval between of being scholar but not a professor in academia.

Aburaman Senior High School

In fine arts, creative art, business and other field it is uncommon to see non-phd holders becoming professors.

There are a lot of professors with Mphil, M.eng, MFA, Dtech, D.Ed/Ed.D.All these are non phd qualifications.

Research and industrial experience also count for professorship

yes, the main concern is becomming a professor without PhD and also without scientific contribution.

Madan Bhandari Memorial Academy Nepal and Madan Bhandari Technological University

In Nepal, we have illustration of becoming professor without PhD

Is this possible? Especially in scientific fields?

Escola Superior Artística do Porto

In my country (portugal), normally, is not possible to become Professor without PHD degree (included Fine arts and other artistic fields), with some exceptions for people with an exceptional professional curriculum (guests assistant Professor)

Rimini Centre for Economic Analysis

It depends upon the university criteria. If one can apply without PhD and due to his/her long experience in teaching and publications, this can be possible. We have many examples in South Asia. If university wishes no professors without PhD, the requirements should be amended accordingly.

Yes, I agree with Dr. Parameshwari Kattel. Just a compliment, the university criteria also depends on the nature of the subject.

Universidad Pablo de Olavide

Good morning

Depends the university and country

In Spain after Phd you should be evaluated by ANECA

ANECA is more than all public universities and also your good grades

Ingrid García

I know Professor Freeman Dyson who does not have A Masters degree or a PhD

Dear Omolayo,

Your curiosity is very interesting and relevant. In developed countries, it is rare because of competition and market oriented. But in developing countries and LDCs, its examples are abundant because of no market oriented and imperfect market with emotions, politics and syndicate. Therefore, developing countries and their university's rank show its merit and demerits and lesson learned to us.

Cross River University of Technology

It all depends on the Institution and nation requirement. An Msc holder can be better than a PhD holder

Volgograd State University

This is not possible in Russia. Even a PhD for a professor is not enough (such cases are extremely rare). You must have the next degree of Doctor of Science.

Chalmers University of Technology

A mathematician colleague in the UK became a professor with "only" a master; he was over 50 by then, but that's not the point: it is possible to receive a professorship without having a PhD degree.

And I can tell that it is appropriate, as I was a post-doc with him - he has a truck-load of good papers in the area of traffic analysis - about a hundred, or more.

General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University

I Sri Lanka we had a system like that earlier, but now it is not possible.

in another way now trend in Sri Lanka is not only having a degree but also a master. So more enthusiastic students do not stop by Masters, they go for at least MPhil. Then most of a having PhDs when they are around 30-35 years old, So, if a person sees one old intellectual is having Professorship without PhD may mislead himself... Because that era has gone, more competition to become professor !!

Federal University of Technology Minna

It was possible some years ago in Nigeria. However, with trends of event in educational development, acquisition of PhD is necessary to become a professor.

It's possible to become professor when you have master degree and you teach more than 10 years

Gampaha Wickramarachchi Ayurveda Institute - University of Kelaniya

It depends on the country .In Sri Lanka PhD is the initial qualification to become a professor.

Yes, it is:

That is very common in Spain! So they have an excuse to pay you less.

Moshood Abiola Polytechnic

I think that in today's competitive world, a PhD is desirable.

It should however not blind us to worth and contribution to research, innovation, competence and manpower development which possession of a PhD is intended to indicate or prepare on to do.

Otherwise, PhD becomes an inhibitor and not more that an entrance ticket to a cult.

Each Institution, who is supposed to know the essence of education should be free to establish appropriate rules that testify to, rather than substitute, inhibitor or ignore VALID educational experience.

Chalmers University of Technology

I do not particularly like this degradation of titles - what's the bloody point?

City University of New York - Bernard M. Baruch College

At least one. non Ph D was a distinguished professor at SUNY< Buffalo and Brown University.

"VOLUME 29, NUMBER 35THURSDAY, JULY 23, 1998

Obituary [ More: http://www.buffalo.edu/ubreporter/archive/vol29/vol29n35/obit.html ] Albert S. Cook, 72: 'redrew map of literary studies' at UB Funeral services were held July 10 at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Providence, R. I., for Albert S. Cook, a poet and literary scholar who brought the UB English department into national prominence in the 1960s. Cook, 72, died July 7 in Miriam Hospital in Providence. He was an emeritus professor of comparative literature, classics and English at Brown University at his death. . . .Cook was chairman [AND PROFESSOR] of the English department when the University of Buffalo, a private university, became part of the State University of New York in 1963." [NOTE: Rumor has it that, as a Ph. D. graduate student, Albert Cook resigned from Harvard University for refusing to sign a so-called "loyalty oath." ]

Published authority in a given area of research used to earn someone a professorship title even without a PhD. Now, the goalpost seem to be changing with higher level of competition in the field of a academia and possibly so on account of the fact that many PhD holders are pursuing research to gain credibility in their field of studies for promotion to professorship title.

Equally, a PhD without much of research outputs will still not be sufficient for someone to be awarded a professorship title.

The way forward then is research and research with high quality of outputs in referred journal outlets and other means such as book(s), book chapters, etc.

While I had only two Master's I was able to serve my university for 30 years or so. Another professor with PhD, who was teaching the same courses, was only letting males in his class, therefore he did not serve the university well, because it has over 60% female students!

University of Saskatchewan

I know of some smaller colleges without a research mission that prefer non-PhDs with after-degree training or certification in teaching.

Dear Omolayo M. Ikumapayi : For Indonesia, a master's degree can become a professor on the condition that the person concerned must excel: publication of scientific articles in reputable international journals, four articles and must be the first author. That's my explanation, best regards.

University of Saskatchewan

It is also possible to become a professor at the Assistant Professor level if you have ABD status (i.e. All But Dissertation). That implies a probationary period during which you are required to complete your PhD and any other requirements for tenure.

In the past, there were occasionally people who managed to exploit legal loopholes to retain their position even if they didn't complete their dissertation, but nowadays universities have tightened up their legal language to foreclose such possibilities.

Federal University of Technology Minna

It was possible some years ago in Nigeria. However, with trends of event in educational development, acquisition of PhD is necessary to become a professor.

Regional Plant Quarantine Station (Kolkata)

Yeah it's possible. But the degree is important.

BA School of Business and Finance

There is a Ph.D. required in Latvia to become a professor.

yes, it is possible at few universities

Yes it's very possible. However, the PhD degree is still important.

In Zimbabwe, generally, the requirement is that you must be a PhD holder.

Chalmers University of Technology

I know of at least one colleague who has only a MSc, but is a full professor. He's a friend of mine, too. Maybe I have mentioned it before. It cannot be that common.

Professor simply means a teacher in an institution of higher education. In the U.S, there are three ranks for an academic (faculty): Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, and Professor. In the U.K. and some Commonwealth countries, (correct me if I am mistaken), these correspond to Lecturer, Senior Lecturer and Professor. In Turkey, they correspond to Assistant Dochent, Dochent, and Professor. The know-it-all president Erdogan wanted to abolish the lowest rank, now the lowest rank is simply called "Doctor faculty," which is just a change in name, really.

The ranks and rules are different from country to country. For instance, in the UK, your Ph.D. adviser can be a faculty member without a doctoral degree. In the U.S., this is unheard of. In the U.S., universities (that award bachelors, masters and doctorate degrees) cannot hire someone without a doctoral degree on tenure-track. Faculty without doctoral degrees typically have ranks as Lecturer or Senior Lecturer, and definitely not any of the professor ranks. Community colleges, that only grant associates degrees can hire faculty with masters degrees on tenure track. And they will have professor level ranks. They don't do any research, though. All they do is teaching (in community colleges).

Part-time faculty are called Adjunct Professors. And this has nothing to do with the ranks of tenure-track faculty. Sometimes they may be called lecturers or simply as adjunct faculty. "Adjunct" typically precedes the title.

So, carrying the title of Professor doesn't necessarily mean that the person has achieved distinction in research. It just depends on what tier institution of higher education and which country the person holds that title at.

In China, I noticed that the students address their professors "teacher." In the U.S., "professor" is customary, even if the person doesn't hold any of the professor ranks.

Chalmers University of Technology

Cenk: There is inflation in everything - apparently ... but the one full University Professor I am talking about is for real - it's not the lower-tier type of professor.

Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University

I have observed that there are some Professors without PHD.

However, they are real, authentic and command respect with excellent clinical acumen, teaching, research and patient care. They produce specialists of high quality and class.

I am MBCHB graduate with MPH and Advanced Diploma in Leadership & Management. I have worked in Clinical Trials as Principle investigator ans Sub investigator for more than 5 years. I am Senior Clinical Manager with a substantial experience in Clinical Management. I managed more than 11 HOD's, Professors who qualify to be professors. Have been involved lecturing and teaching for more than 20 years.

What is the exact requirement to get PHD? Please advice me as I am in the process of doing my PHD.

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