Teaching at the University level

[sanantone]

I just want to clarify something. Assistant, associate, and full professor are part of the tenure track. All of these positions usually require a PhD or an equivalent doctorate even at schools that don't grant tenure. If you're in law, you can teach with a JD. If you're in the fine arts, then you might be able to find a position with an MFA. Otherwise, associate and assistant professor positions at 4-year colleges require a doctorate 99% of the time.

An assistant professor position is for someone with little to no experience. Once the assistant professor gains tenure, then he or she becomes an associate professor. After many years, you can work your way up to becoming a full professor. They are all professors, though.

In short, unless she has a JD or MFA, she will almost have no chance of becoming an assistant professor at a 4-year college. However, she can become an adjunct instructor, lecturer, or visiting professor. Visiting professors are usually people with high professional accomplishments.

She can possibly become a professor at a 2-year college, but these openings are not numerous compared to the number of people applying. Someone with only a master's degree will not be competitive because a lot of people with doctorates are also applying for these positions. There are full-time instructor jobs at for-profit colleges that require a master's or less.