Are College Professors Teachers?
When we think of a college professor, the image that often comes to mind is someone standing at the front of a classroom, delivering lectures to a group of students. This traditional view paints professors primarily as teachers. But is that really the core of their role today?
The answer is more complex than many might think. The duties and responsibilities of college professors vary widely depending on the institution, department, and specific position held. While some professors do spend most of their time teaching, others focus heavily on research, clinical work, or administrative tasks.
The Varying Roles of Professors
Professors often fall into one or more of the following categories:
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Research-focused professors may spend most of their time conducting studies, publishing work, and supervising PhD candidates.
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Clinical professors often run or manage clinical centers and may spend much of their time outside the classroom.
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Administrative professors might hold leadership positions within the institution and rarely teach or conduct research.
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Teaching-focused professors primarily lead classroom instruction and advise or mentor students, playing a more traditional educator role.
Despite these diverse roles, the general public often assumes that professors are mainly educators. Historically, professors were indeed seen as the primary conveyors of knowledge, lecturing to large groups and sharing insights from their field. But the way we access and consume information has changed significantly. Today, knowledge is available everywhere—online, in books, and through digital platforms. This shift has impacted the professor’s role in the classroom.
Teaching Without Teaching Training?
Here lies an important point: while professors may be experts in their field, most have little to no formal training in how to teach.
There’s an underlying assumption in academia that deep subject-matter knowledge naturally translates into effective teaching. However, being an expert and being an effective educator are not the same. Teaching requires its own set of skills—communication, engagement, curriculum design, and understanding of pedagogy. Yet, very few professors are ever formally trained in these areas.
Why is that?
Earning the credentials required to become a college professor already demands a significant time and energy investment. Most professors must earn a PhD or a master’s degree, which can take many years of study and research. Adding a teaching certification or pedagogical training on top of that would make the path to becoming a professor even more demanding—both in terms of time and cost.
Additionally, professors often earn less than what professionals with similar educational levels make in the private sector. Requiring additional qualifications may make it even more difficult to attract individuals to academic careers, especially when the financial incentives are already lower.
Is It Time for Change?
So, here’s the question: Should college professors be required to undergo formal training in teaching methods?
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Is it reasonable to expect professors to complete education coursework before being allowed to teach?
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Should pedagogy be integrated into graduate programs so future professors are trained both as researchers and as educators?
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Or, is the role of the professor evolving in ways that make traditional teaching less central, and we need to adapt our expectations accordingly?
These are important questions to consider, especially as higher education continues to evolve in the digital age. With knowledge being so accessible, the value a professor adds in the classroom becomes more about how they guide, engage, and inspire students—not just what they know.
Join the Conversation
We’d love to hear your thoughts. Should professors be required to receive formal teaching training? Is deep subject knowledge enough?
Join the discussion in the comments or visit TheBusinessProfessor.com to continue the conversation in our forum.
Until next time—take care and keep learning!