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Associate Professor Jobs in Decatur, AL (NOW HIRING)

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Associate Professor information

See Decatur, AL salary details

$40.8K

$96K

$133.6K

How much do associate professor jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for associate professor in Decatur, AL is $96,024.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $74,100.00 and $118,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by associate professors when balancing research, teaching, and service responsibilities?

Associate Professors often juggle multiple responsibilities, including conducting research, teaching courses, mentoring students, and participating in departmental or university service. Balancing these can be challenging, especially when research expectations remain high while teaching loads and committee work increase after promotion. Successful Associate Professors typically develop strong time-management skills, collaborate with colleagues to share best practices, and seek mentorship or support from their academic community. Proactive planning and clear communication with department leadership can also help manage these competing demands.

What is the difference between Associate Professor vs Assistant Professor?

AspectAssociate ProfessorAssistant Professor
Required CredentialsDoctorate (Ph.D. or equivalent), significant research and teaching experienceDoctorate (Ph.D. or equivalent), typically early in academic career
Work EnvironmentUniversity faculty, involved in teaching, research, and serviceUniversity faculty, primarily focused on teaching and beginning research
Employer & Industry UsageHigher education institutions, research universitiesHigher education institutions, research universities

In summary, an Associate Professor is a more senior academic role with extensive research and teaching experience, while an Assistant Professor is an entry-level faculty position focused on developing research and teaching skills.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an associate professor, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Associate Professor, you need advanced subject matter expertise, a doctoral degree in your field, and a record of research and scholarly publication. Familiarity with learning management systems (LMS), academic databases, and research software is typically required. Strong communication, mentorship, and organizational skills help foster student engagement and productive collegial relationships. These competencies are essential for effective teaching, impactful research, and meaningful contributions to academic communities.

What is an associate professor?

An associate professor teaches at a college or university campus and ranks below a full professor. As an associate professor, you still perform the primary job duties of a full professor, such as interacting with students, grading classroom assignments, assisting students with study techniques, and developing lesson plans. You may also spend part of your career working on research projects and writing articles for academic journals.

Do you need a PhD to be an associate professor?

Yes, most academic institutions require an associate professor to hold a PhD or equivalent doctoral degree. This qualification demonstrates expertise in the field and is typically necessary for tenure-track faculty positions at universities. Additional requirements may include teaching experience, research publications, and service contributions.
More about Associate Professor jobs
What cities near Decatur, AL are hiring for Associate Professor jobs? Cities near Decatur, AL with the most Associate Professor job openings:
Associate Professor jobs near you

Associate/Full Professor

Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University

Normal, AL • On-site

$72K - $99K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 6 days ago

Job description

Salary: $72,475.00 - $99,644.00 Annually
Location : Normal
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 202300036
Department: Social Work Graduate
Opening Date: 11/13/2023
Description
Summary:
This is a 9-month, full-time, tenure track faculty position in the Department of Social Work. The selected candidate will be part of a dynamic team of social work educators committed to preparing students to assume leadership roles in the profession. The Department of Social Work is home to a nationally ranked MSW Program and a leading producer of social work professionals in the state of Alabama. With externally funded training programs and a cadre of faculty committed to developing the next generation of social work professionals, administrators and educators, the Department of Social Work offers a fertile environment for transformative education and research.
Examples of Duties
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
  • Teaching face to face and/or online courses within the Graduate Social Work Program;
  • Maintaining/developing externally funded program of research;
  • Research mentoring and advising; and
  • Providing service to the Department, College of Education, Humanities and Behavioral Sciences, to the University and to the profession.

Typical Qualifications
Minimum Position Requirements (including certifications, licenses, etc.):
  • Earned PhD in Social Work
  • MSW from a CSWE accredited institution and 2 or more years post-MSW experience
  • Previously earned tenure and promotion to the rank of Associate or Full Professor
  • CSWE accreditation experience

Supplemental Information
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
  • Demonstrate evidence of scholarly productivity consistent with the rank of Associate or Full Professor
  • Demonstrate evidence of curriculum development
  • Demonstrate a commitment to excellence in teaching and mentorship of students.
  • Demonstrate an ability to establish, maintain, and secure external funding to support social work education
  • Demonstrate an ability to meaningfully contribute to the advancement of social work education.

We offer a complete benefits package to full-time employees including health care, dental, vision, retirement, deferred compensation plans, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, short and long-term disability, holidays, vacation, and sick leave.
To learn more details, visit our benefits page at
01
Do yoiu have an earned PhD in Social Work?
  • Yes
  • No

02
Do you have a MSW from a CSWE accredited institution and 2 or more years post-MSW experience?
  • Yes
  • No

03
Have you previously earned tenure and promotion to the rank of Associate or Full Professor?
  • Yes
  • No

04
Do yoiu have CSWE accreditation experience?
  • Yes
  • No

Required Question

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