ADJUNCT PROFESSOR JOB DESCRIPTION

Accreditation audits and program reviews expose gaps fast when course delivery is inconsistent or student outcomes go undocumented. That pressure falls squarely on adjunct faculty, who carry a disproportionate share of instructional contact hours at most two- and four-year institutions. The Adjunct Professor fills assigned teaching sections across classroom, laboratory, and online modalities, owning the full instructional arc from syllabus design through final grade submission. Regional accreditation standards, including those tied to student learning outcome (SLO) reporting, define the non-negotiable floor for this work.

As the Adjunct Professor, you will plan and deliver accredited instruction within an assigned discipline, translating approved curriculum into measurable student learning outcomes each term. You will report to a department chair or program director and operate within a faculty structure that spans full-time instructors, clinical supervisors, and academic administrators.

Career Impact: Teaching at the post-secondary level builds a verifiable instructional record that qualifies candidates for full-time faculty appointments and LMFT/LPC supervisor designations in licensed disciplines.

Business Impact: Consistent, outcomes-aligned instruction directly raises student pass rates and retention figures that institutions report to accrediting bodies each cycle.

Growth Opportunity: Adjunct experience spanning multiple modalities - synchronous classroom, asynchronous online, and clinical lab - widens the range of full-time positions and department chair roles a candidate can competitively pursue.

• Design instructional plans aligned with approved curriculum objectives to meet defined course outcomes each term.
• Deliver instruction across classroom, clinical, laboratory, and online settings within scheduled contact hours.
• Evaluate student achievement of learning objectives using established performance criteria and grading standards.
• Maintain accurate student records, including attendance, grades, and learning outcome documentation, to meet accreditation requirements.
• Collaborate with the program director and department chair on curriculum review, revision, and development.
• Hold scheduled office hours each week to support student progress and address course or administrative concerns.
• Participate in faculty development activities, orientation programs, and departmental meetings as assigned.

• Master's degree in the teaching discipline or equivalent graduate-level credentials, with a minimum of 18 graduate semester hours where applicable.
• 2 or more years of instructional or formalized teaching experience, with demonstrated competency in the assigned content area.
• Active state licensure or professional certification applicable to the discipline, where required by program accreditation standards.
• Ability to design and implement lesson plans, assessments, and student learning outcome reports aligned with institutional and accreditation requirements.
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to engage adult learners across diverse backgrounds.
• Proficiency with learning management systems and standard academic technology platforms used for course delivery and grade reporting.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain accurate records, meet submission deadlines, and adhere to academic and attendance policies.

• Doctoral degree or terminal credential in the teaching discipline, particularly for graduate-level course assignments.
• Prior experience teaching in an online or hybrid modality with evidence of student engagement and outcome achievement.
• Membership in a discipline-specific professional association or evidence of ongoing professional development activity.
• Familiarity with anti-racist and socially just pedagogical frameworks applied within curriculum design or classroom practice.

• Student learning outcome (SLO) attainment rate, measured against program benchmarks each term.
• Grade submission compliance rate, reflecting adherence to institutional reporting deadlines.
• Course completion rate within assigned sections, compared to departmental averages.
• Student attendance and engagement documentation accuracy, audited against accreditation records.
• Curriculum contribution count, measured by the number of review cycles or development tasks completed per academic year.
• Typical tools: learning management systems (commonly Canvas or Blackboard); academic record platforms (commonly institutional SIS or grade portals).

• Base Salary Range: $1,800 to $3,500 per credit hour; $18,000 to $42,000 annually for standard adjunct loads
• Bonus: Merit-based stipends at some institutions; typically not standard
• Equity: Not applicable
• Health Benefits: Varies widely; part-time status often limits eligibility at many institutions
• PTO: Governed by academic calendar; no standard accrual structure
• Common Perks: Library and campus resource access; professional development funding at select institutions; tuition discounts at employing institution

Figures are estimates based on general US market benchmarks and may be outdated. Adjust based on location, company size, and seniority level.

Background check completion, including criminal history screening and any discipline-required clearances, is a condition of employment for all positions. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, and local law. Candidates requiring reasonable accommodations during the application or onboarding process should notify the hiring institution directly. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States.

Embedded within the College of Nursing and Health Professions, the Adjunct Professor teaches assigned credit hours across classroom, clinical, simulated laboratory, and online settings while implementing curriculum aligned with COFT program philosophy and outcomes. Working closely with the Program Director and Director of Clinical Training, this role advances student competency in behavioral health and ensures the Department of Counseling and Family Therapy's mission is fulfilled each quarter.

Core Functions

• Teach the required number of credit hours per quarter based on the contract.
• Demonstrate knowledge and skills related to teaching adults, teaching methodology, curriculum development, and evaluation.
• Assist in the design, implementation, and evaluation of curriculum using a written plan.
• Plan and provide theoretical instruction and clinical or laboratory experiences that reflect the philosophy, objectives, and curriculum of the respective COFT programs.
• Evaluate student achievement of curricular objectives and outcomes.
• Schedule one office hour per week for student availability and administrative time for classroom, laboratory, and clinical preparation.
• Maintain communication with the Program Director and/or Director of Clinical Training regarding any course or student issues.

Qualifications & Experience

• PhD or Doctorate in behavioral health.
• LMFT/LPC license preferred; American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy Approved Supervisor or Supervisor Candidate requirement for adjunct faculty supervisors.
• PA Department of Public Welfare Child Abuse clearance.
• PA State Police Criminal Background Clearance.
• FBI fingerprinting clearance required for Adjunct Clinical Supervisors.
• 1-3 years of teaching experience, with experience using Learning Management Systems.
• Demonstrated competence in required knowledge and skills of the assigned content area, including anti-racist and socially just frameworks.
• Good computer skills, including email, web research, document handling, online chats, and library database functions.
• Strong interpersonal skills, positive professional energy, excellent verbal, written, and electronic communication skills, and the ability to collaborate effectively with students and faculty.

Sitting at the intersection of healthcare practice and vocational education, the Adjunct Professor designs instructional objectives, develops curriculum, and teaches medical assisting content to adult learners across classroom and lab environments. Operating across traditional, individualized, and collaborative instructional formats, this role shapes student readiness for healthcare careers and supports the college's accreditation and enrollment-driven program quality.

Duties

• Plan and develop a variety of instructional objectives and experiences appropriate to program goals.
• Identify individual learning needs of students and make appropriate adjustments.
• Develop and teach to the objectives of the approved curriculum, fostering cultural diversity and non-discrimination.
• Teach productive and constructive study skills to students.
• Develop classroom and lab procedures in conformance with identified policies and procedures.
• Maintain records indicating student progress to meet college and accreditation requirements.
• Follow disciplinary procedures consistently and fairly with all students.
• Design learning experiences for adult students through classes, individual instruction, and self-directed learning.
• Post class syllabus and student grades via the online course system (currently Canvas).

Requirements

• Associate degree required, Bachelor's degree preferred.
• Current Certified Medical Assistant, Registered Medical Assistant, Allied Health Credential, or Coding Certificate required.
• Minimum 3 years of work experience in healthcare.
• Recent teaching experience in postsecondary or vocational/technical education using traditional classroom, individualized lab, and collaborative group methods preferred.
• Experience writing course curriculum and evidence of recent professional development activity.
• Previous experience with an online course system such as Canvas, Blackboard, Sakai, or Moodle preferred.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to function as an effective team member (multilingual applicants encouraged, given the diversity of the college population).
• Demonstrated ability to work successfully with students, staff, and community from diverse backgrounds.

The Adjunct Professor delivers learning-centered instruction aligned with South University curricula, designing instructional plans and facilitating course outcomes across classroom and online environments. Reporting to campus and academic administrators, this role supports student success and enables South University to meet evolving marketplace needs through rigorous, inclusive educational experiences.

Key Responsibilities

• Instruct and facilitate meaningful learning of the course outcomes in the curriculum and proactively support all facets of the learning environment.
• Provide education through learning-centered instruction that will enable graduates to fulfill the evolving needs of the marketplace.
• Encourage a culture of learning that values mutual responsibility and respect, life-long learning, diversity, and ethics, as well as personal and professional development.
• Assure that the South University philosophy: quality service to students; development, growth, involvement, and recognition of employees; and an environment conducive to innovation, positive thinking, and expansion is considered in carrying out the duties and responsibilities of this position.
• Participate in activities that promote the stature of the academic programs, departments, and colleges, and abide by the South University Board of Trustees and administration's mandates.
• Manage the educational process to ensure every student is involved in a positive educational experience through the learning, teaching, and social environment.
• Perform faculty responsibilities as outlined in the faculty job description in accordance with the provisions of Faculty Supplement to the South University Employee Handbook.
• Provide course instruction that aligns with the South University model of curricula and supports the South University style of system delivery.
• Design and deliver instruction through the development of instructional plans to meet course outcomes, the development of activities that support lesson objectives, and, for online courses, deliver the instruction as approved within each course shell.
• Effectively utilize technology in the classroom to support the student learning experience.
• Enable the achievement of pre-defined outcomes for student achievement and evaluation of learning by providing instruction that fosters proficiency and establishes student performance criteria and evaluation.
• Deliver learning-centered instruction by establishing an educational environment conducive to learning and student involvement, and effectively planning and preparing for classes and student success.

Required Qualifications

• Doctor's or master's degree in the teaching discipline, or earned doctorate/terminal degree for graduate-level instruction, with a minimum of 18 graduate semester hours where applicable.
• Active, valid, and unencumbered state licensure or certification as applicable to the discipline.
• Experience in instruction or formalized education, preferably post-secondary.
• At least 6 months at South University or another post-secondary institution preferred, with online experience a plus.
• Membership in a professional association tied to the area of instruction preferred.
• Knowledge of university guidelines, academic processes, course descriptions, and office administrative procedures, including accurate record-keeping.
• Proficiency with online learning environments, learning management systems, digital media creation, word processing, web browsing, and Microsoft Office.
• Ability to access a personal computer, internet, and telephone for teaching and administrative responsibilities.
• Strong critical thinking, research, teaching, and engagement skills.
• Effective interpersonal communication, time management, organizational skills, and selective focus with attention to detail.