Should an Assistant Professor be addressed as “Dr” or “Professor”?

In the realm of appropriate behavior within academic environments, a certain degree of uncertainty surrounds the appropriate titles for Assistant Professors. There exists a considerable amount of confusion surrounding whether to address an Assistant Professor as “Dr.” or “Professor.” Although these terms are often used interchangeably, it’s important to note that they should not be considered interchangeable on a technical basis. In the subsequent article, we delve into a comprehensive discussion about the accurate manner in which an Assistant Professor should be addressed, whether as “Dr.” or “Professor.”

What is the post of Assistant Professor?

An Assistant Professor is an entry-level academic rank in the educational profession used in universities and colleges. It can be on an ad-hoc/contract basis or in route towards tenure, a permanent position. There are two types of Assistant Professor roles based on experience level. A fresher Assistant Professor without any experience and a senior Assistant Professor with a minimum of 3 years of post-doc experience in the relevant area. Let’s quickly take a look at the eligibility criteria for an Assistant Professor.

Eligibility Criteria for an Assistant Professor

Check out the eligibility criteria for becoming an Assistant Professor.

• The candidate must have a Master’s degree in the relevant subject with at least 55% marks along with NET/ STET is required.
• In many colleges, an additional criterion of a PhD degree, as per the UGC regulations, 2009.

How do you get the title of Doctor (Dr.)?

To get the title of Doctor, one must complete a Ph.D. degree. A PhD or Doctor of Philosophy is the highest level of academic qualification one can achieve in a particular subject. It is a doctoral research degree that takes anywhere from 3 to 6 years to complete. During this period, the doctoral candidate must research and write a thesis offering an original contribution to the subject. After completing the degree, you will be conferred with the title of Doctor.

Eligibility Criteria for Ph.D.

The minimum educational requirements to pursue a PhD in India are:

• A candidate must have a master’s degree from a recognized university or institution with a minimum of 55% marks or equivalent and a minimum of 75% marks for a four-year degree.
• Apart from this, some universities also have specific subject-wise requirements.

Assistant Professor addressed as Professor

An Assistant Professor is addressed as a “Professor” when he/she has not completed their PhD degree. They only have a Master’s degree and cleared NET/ STET to get the job, thus, the title of Dr as a prefix will be wrong. You can also call an Assistant Professor with a PhD degree a “Professor” as it is equally applicable.

Assistant Professor addressed as Dr

An Assistant Professor is addressed as a “Dr” or Doctor if they have a PhD degree. After completing the PhD degree, they are given the title of Doctor. However, few might choose not to use it. In that case, you will use “Professor” for even the Assistant Professors with a PhD degree. The term Professor can be used for all. The prefix, Dr, is valid only for PhD holders who choose to use it. Thus, even for them, using Dr as a prefix is a personal choice.

Should an Assistant Professor be addressed as “Dr” or “Professor?”

In general, you are expected to call an Assistant Professor “Professor,” which is the more commonly accepted etiquette. However, if the Assistant Professor comes with a PhD Degree, then you should address them as “Dr”. As sometimes, it is hard to determine the credentials of the Assistant Professor, hence one should start addressing their Assistant Professor as “Professor” to avoid any awkward situation.

In rare cases, an Assistant Professor might not like to use the prefix “Dr” even after completion of their PhD Degree, therefore addressing “Professor” would be the safest option.

However, Since the post of Assistant Professor is also open to those with just a Master’s Degree, it would be wrong to address or use the prefix “Dr” without knowing the credentials. Not all assistant Professors have a PhD, and not all PhD use the title Doctor in front of their names.

In conclusion, calling one’s Assistant Professor “Professor” is the best way to start their acquaintance and then move forward to calling them “Dr” along with their last name if it becomes conducive. Moreover, one should not stress how to address their Assistant Professor as most people do not hang up on these minute details in general.

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