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Virtual Professor Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

Virtual Professor information

See Michigan salary details

$24

$58

$68

How much do virtual professor jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 26, 2026, the average hourly pay for virtual professor in Michigan is $58.89, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $58.27 and $60.96 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How can I make 2000 a week working from home?

A virtual professor can earn $2,000 or more weekly by teaching multiple courses, offering private tutoring, or creating online courses through platforms like Udemy or Teachable. Success depends on expertise, reputation, and effective use of digital tools, with full-time schedules often required to reach this income level.

How much money do online professors make?

Online professors typically earn between $20,000 and $80,000 annually, depending on factors such as experience, education level, subject area, and the institution. Part-time or adjunct roles often pay hourly rates ranging from $20 to $60, while full-time positions with benefits tend to offer higher salaries. Many online teaching roles also require strong communication skills and familiarity with learning management systems.

How does a Virtual Professor effectively engage students and foster participation in an online classroom environment?

A Virtual Professor typically uses a variety of interactive tools and strategies to engage students, such as live video lectures, discussion forums, polls, and breakout rooms for group work. Building a sense of community is essential, so professors often encourage regular communication, provide timely feedback, and establish clear expectations for participation. Successful virtual teaching requires adapting traditional in-person teaching methods to the digital format and remaining responsive to students' needs. Professors may also collaborate with instructional designers and IT support to enhance the learning experience.

How to become a virtual professor?

To become a virtual professor, you typically need a doctoral degree in your subject area, relevant teaching experience, and strong communication skills. Many institutions require proficiency with online teaching platforms and digital tools. Earning teaching certifications or training in online education can also enhance your qualifications.

What is a Virtual Professor?

A Virtual Professor is an academic instructor who teaches courses online, rather than in a traditional classroom setting. They use digital platforms to deliver lectures, facilitate discussions, assign coursework, and assess student progress. Virtual Professors often interact with students through video calls, forums, and email, making education more accessible to learners worldwide. Their responsibilities also include curriculum development, grading, and providing academic support, all conducted remotely.

Are online professors in demand?

Online professors are in increasing demand as more educational institutions expand their digital offerings and remote learning becomes more prevalent. This growth is driven by advancements in online teaching tools and the need for qualified instructors with expertise in their subject areas and digital communication skills.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Virtual Professor, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Virtual Professor, you need subject matter expertise, a relevant advanced degree (typically a master's or doctorate), and experience in curriculum development and online instruction. Familiarity with learning management systems (LMS), video conferencing platforms, and digital assessment tools is essential. Strong communication, adaptability, and time management skills help foster student engagement and navigate the unique challenges of remote teaching. These skills and qualities ensure effective knowledge delivery, student support, and successful learning outcomes in a virtual environment.

What is the difference between Virtual Professor vs Online Instructor?

AspectVirtual ProfessorOnline Instructor
CredentialsTypically requires a doctoral degree or terminal degree in the fieldUsually requires a bachelor's or master's degree, depending on the course
Work EnvironmentPrimarily academic institutions, often with research responsibilitiesVarious platforms, including colleges, training programs, or private companies
Employer & Industry UsageUniversities, colleges, and higher education institutionsEducational platforms, online course providers, corporate training
Common Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding academic roles and qualificationsFinding online teaching opportunities

The main difference between a Virtual Professor and an Online Instructor lies in their qualifications, work environment, and employer settings. Virtual Professors typically hold advanced degrees and work within higher education institutions, often engaging in research. Online Instructors may have lower-level degrees and teach courses through various online platforms or corporate training programs. Both roles involve online teaching but differ in scope, credentials, and institutional affiliation.

What are the most commonly searched types of Professor jobs in Michigan? The most popular types of Professor jobs in Michigan are:
What are popular job titles related to Virtual Professor jobs in Michigan? For Virtual Professor jobs in Michigan, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What cities in Michigan are hiring for Virtual Professor jobs? Cities in Michigan with the most Virtual Professor job openings:
Infographic showing various Virtual Professor job openings in Michigan as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 80% Full Time, 18% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $122,481 per year, or $58.9 per hour.
Professor - Social Work

Professor - Social Work

Western Michigan University

Kalamazoo, MI • On-site

Full-time

Posted 10 days ago


Western Michigan University rating

6.7

Company rating: 6.7 out of 10

Based on 30 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

482nd of 611 rated colleges and universities


Job description

Position Details
Posting Summary
College
College Of Health & Human Svcs
Executive Area
Provost & VP Academic Affairs
Department
School of Social Work
Posting Detail Information
Posting Number
F316P
Job Type
Non-Tenure Track
Pay Type
Exempt/Salaried
Pay Grade
I10
Campus Location
WMU-Kalamazoo - East Campus
Salary Range
Pay is commensurate with qualifications and experience, combined with an excellent benefits package.
Number of Vacancies
1
General Summary
Western Michigan University (WMU) invites applications for the position of Full Professor in the School of Social Work, based at the main campus in Kalamazoo, Michigan. This is an academic year faculty position that also carries the role of The Clair & Clarice Platt Endowed Chair of Online Learning, Educational Technology, and Professional Development. This is a three-year strategic leadership appointment, with the possibility of a two-year renewal based on performance and available funding. The position reflects the School of Social Work's strong commitment to online education, digital innovation, workforce development, and academic excellence in the digital era. The Endowed Chair will play a transformative role in shaping the future of social work education at WMU. Key responsibilities include: a) leading the design, development, marketing, implementation, assessment, accreditation, outreach, recruitment, and continuous quality improvement of online social work degree programs; b) advancing cutting-edge professional development initiatives for faculty, students, alumni, social work professionals, and community partners; and c) guiding the ethical and strategic integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into the social work curriculum and research initiatives. This is a unique opportunity for an innovative and visionary leader to make a significant impact on the delivery of social work education and professional training. Applicants must meet the criteria for appointment at the rank of Full Professor. Please note that this position is not a tenure-track appointment.
Major Duties
The Clair & Clarice Platt Endowed Chair of Online Learning, Educational Technology, and Professional Development will provide visionary academic and administrative leadership across several critical areas. Responsibilities include:
  • Leading the design, development, marketing, implementation, assessment, accreditation, outreach and recruitment, and continuous quality improvement of the School of Social Work's fully online BSW, MSW, and DSW programs, ensuring alignment with CSWE accreditation standards.
  • Overseeing the creation, launch, and management of a comprehensive professional development portfolio, including CEU-certified short courses, micro-credentials, and executive certificates.
  • Advancing ongoing faculty development initiatives focused on online teaching excellence, digital pedagogy, AI fluency, and instructional technology.
  • Supporting the adaptation and development of online curricula that meet emerging needs in the profession and reflect current best practices in digital education.
  • Leading the ethical and strategic integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into social work education and research, fostering innovation while upholding the profession's core values.

This position requires a dynamic and future-focused leader who can guide transformational change in digital education while maintaining a strong commitment to academic rigor, equity, and community engagement.
Minimum Qualifications
Required Qualifications: The ideal candidate should,
  • Hold a doctorate in Social Work or a related field, and a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree from a CSWE-accredited social work program.
  • Possess a minimum of 10 years of experience in social work higher education, including at least 5 years of school- or departmental-level leadership.
  • Demonstrate proficiency with Learning Management System platforms and digital instructional tools (e.g., virtual simulations, multimedia development, Canva, Microsoft Teams, WebEx, Zoom, Google Classroom), as well as familiarity with Online Learning Consortium and Quality Matters (QM) principles and rubrics.
  • Demonstrate experience in developing, launching, leading, and assessing online graduate social work programs.
  • Demonstrate experience with online curriculum management, including course development and delivery that meet CSWE competency standards.
  • Demonstrate experience with CSWE accreditation and reaffirmation processes, including competency-based curriculum design.
  • Demonstrate the ability to mentor a diverse faculty with varying levels of technological proficiency and the ability to plan, organize, and lead complex projects with multiple deadlines.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of and experience with market analysis, strategic planning, program assessment, quality management, and data-informed reporting.
  • Demonstrate experience with innovative and effective pedagogical applications of technology in online/hybrid course delivery, including instructional design principles and curriculum adaptation for online/hybrid formats.

Desired Qualifications
Preferred Qualifications: Preference will be given to candidates who,
  • Demonstrate expertise in AI applications, digital and new media literacies, digital innovation, or technology in social work or human services, along with a strong understanding of AI ethics and data equity in marginalized communities.
  • Demonstrate excellent organizational, analytical, and planning skills, as well as experience with collaborative leadership, including managing online and hybrid initiatives.
  • Demonstrate outstanding oral and written communication skills, strong interpersonal and presentation abilities, and a proven capacity to remain current with rapidly evolving technologies.
  • Have a record of peer-reviewed scholarship related to technology, digital social work education, or closely aligned areas.
  • Demonstrate a sustained commitment to advancing equity, access, and inclusion in social work education.

Special Instructions to Applicants
Additional Position Information
For benefits and other information visit https://wmich.edu/hr/employees/faculty

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