Who Should Teach College Courses: PhDs, Professional Practitioners, or Trained Teachers?
In a recent video, we explored whether college professors are truly teachers and noted that most professors have little or no formal training in teaching methods. This naturally leads us to a broader and timely question: Whom should colleges and universities be hiring to teach their classes?
Should the focus be on hiring PhDs, who are steeped in academic research? Should it be on professional practitioners with real-world experience? Or should the emphasis be placed on trained educators who specialize in effective teaching and student engagement?
Higher Education Is Changing
The landscape of higher education is evolving rapidly. Technological advancements, the rise of online learning, and the growing accessibility of information have disrupted traditional education models. In the past, professors were the gatekeepers of knowledge—standing at the front of a lecture hall and disseminating information to students. Today, information is everywhere. Students no longer rely solely on professors for access to knowledge.
So, what are students actually paying for when they enroll in college?
Increasingly, they are not buying knowledge per se, but rather a certification—proof that they have completed a course of study or mastered a subject. This means colleges and universities must rethink how they deliver value. It’s no longer just about delivering lectures—it’s about ensuring students truly understand and can apply what they’ve learned.
From Knowledge Delivery to Knowledge Assessment
With knowledge so easily accessible, the role of the university is shifting from being a provider of information to becoming a validator of understanding. Assessment is now at the core of the educational value proposition. Schools must ensure that students are acquiring the skills and knowledge they claim to be learning.
This shift brings us back to the question of staffing. If universities are focusing more on assessment and student learning outcomes, who is best equipped to lead this process?
Three Types of Candidates for Teaching Roles
Let’s break down the three primary categories of individuals universities typically consider for teaching roles:
1. PhDs (Academic Researchers)
These individuals have a deep understanding of their subject areas and often contribute to the advancement of knowledge through research. However, many lack formal training in education or teaching methods. In research institutions, their role often includes both teaching and publishing scholarly work.
2. Professional Practitioners
Practitioners bring valuable real-world experience to the classroom. They can provide practical insights and examples that enrich students’ learning. However, they may also lack teaching experience or the ability to translate their expertise into effective instruction.
3. Trained Teachers (Pedagogy Experts)
These individuals are trained specifically in how to teach. They understand how students learn, how to design effective assessments, and how to manage a classroom. However, they may lack the deep, specialized content knowledge that a PhD or practitioner might have.
A Shifting Value Proposition
Many colleges today are teaching-focused institutions rather than research institutions. Yet, they often still expect faculty to maintain research productivity, even though the infrastructure and funding to support such research may be limited.
This raises a practical concern: if teaching is the primary value that institutions provide to students, should more of their hiring decisions reflect that priority?
Time for a Rethink?
Given the changing nature of higher education, should institutions prioritize hiring faculty who:
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Are experts in pedagogy and assessment?
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Have real-world experience relevant to students’ future careers?
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Possess academic research credentials, even if they lack teaching experience?
Or should schools look for a balance among these traits? Perhaps the future professoriate will include a more diverse mix of backgrounds—blending researchers, practitioners, and skilled educators—each contributing uniquely to the academic environment.
Join the Conversation
What do you think? Should universities focus more on hiring trained teachers rather than research experts or industry professionals? Or should each institution define its staffing approach based on its mission and student needs?
We’d love to hear your perspective. Leave a comment below or start a conversation at TheBusinessProfessor.com in our community forum.
Until next time, take care—and keep challenging how we think about education.