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Is a PhD mandatory for an Assistant Professor? The answer is that it depends on the institute where you are applying as it depends completely for PhD admissions. According to the UGC (University Grants Commission), it is not necessary to obtain PhD in India for obtaining the post of assistant professor. It is mandatory only for the post of a Professor. Professors are teaching and research positions. This is to enlighten intellects and ranking academics a chance to contribute their knowledge to the world.

Pursuing a PhD is an added bonus for securing a job in the field of education. 

For those who want to teach at the postgraduate level, pursuing a PhD in India is a bonus. The qualifications are good for anyone wanting to teach at the undergraduate or primary school level. 

What is the University Grants Commission? 

The University Grants Commission (UGC) is a statutory body established by the University Grants Commission Act, 1956. It is the highest body for the coordination, determination, and maintenance of standards of university education in India. UGC is responsible for 

The UGC also carries out research into issues affecting the higher education system in India. 

According to UGC, it is not necessary to obtain doctoral status (PhD) for obtaining the post of assistant professor. 

According to UGC, it is not necessary to obtain doctoral status for obtaining the post of assistant professor. You can teach at any postgraduate or undergraduate institute only for a Teacher. However, you can teach at any college or university as an Assistant Professor. Previously, the Central Government amended UGC regulations to make a PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) the minimum eligibility criteria for hiring assistant professors. The regulations were supposed to go into effect in 2021, but they were postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Later, an extension until July 2023. In the meantime, hiring will be based on the UGC NET score (the first cutoff being 50% plus two years of experience). 

You can also teach at a training institute where your salary depends on your qualifications and experience level 

A PhD in India is mandatory only for the post of a Professor. 

It is mandatory only for the post of a Professor. You can take up any other job without attaining a PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) admission and get a thumbs up by UGC or any other governing body. 

Associate Professor: A good assistant professor is one who has all the qualities that would make him an ideal candidate for promotion as an associate professor. So he should qualify well both technically and professionally, but he also needs to demonstrate leadership skills in his work environment as well as outside it (such as through publications). 

WIth this, let’s all understand more about a PhD versus an MEd degree.  

PhD admission

Professors are teaching and research positions. 

PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) holders are in teaching and research positions. They teach undergraduates, but they also conduct original research whilst publishing in peer-reviewed journals. PhD admissions may have additional responsibilities such as supervising graduate students or acting as department chairs or deans of colleges or universities. 

To become Teachers, there are other options: 

To become teachers, there are other options: 

  1. – A bachelor’s degree in education (BSED) is a two-year program that prepares students to teach at the primary or secondary level. It consists of coursework and research in the field of education and may include some hands-on experience through internships or field placements. 
  2. – Master’s degrees in education prepare students for careers as researchers and administrators within K-12 districts or colleges/universities; they typically take one year to complete but can sometimes finish as part of an accelerated schedule. Along with additional study time needed if you plan on applying for PhD admissions. After completing your master’s degree. Master’s degrees are often awarded by specialized departments within schools such as school psychology departments. Here many applicants come from outside academia looking for jobs at universities around the world! 

Those who want to teach at any postgraduate or undergraduate institute can opt for a Master’s degree qualification. 

Those who want to teach at any postgraduate or undergraduate institute can opt for a Master’s degree qualification. It is a master’s degree in education, which is a 2-year course and provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary for teaching at any level of education. 

A doctorate degree is usually required to become an assistant professor but it is not mandatory in all cases. For example, if you have completed your PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) degree within eight years of starting the program, then you may be eligible for an assistant professorship without further qualifications or training. 

assistant professor

Difference between a Professor and an Assistant Professor: 

The difference between a professor and an assistant professor is that the latter is hired to teach at the postgraduate level. While both are academic instructors, there are some differences between them as well: 

  1. Professors tend to be more experienced than assistant professors; this means they have been in their position longer and have taught more students. 
  2. Assistant professors usually hold only one or two classes per semester. While full-time professors often teach four or five classes per semester (or even more). 
  3. In many cases, full-time faculty members will also serve as department chairs and dean of students. While part-time faculty members may only teach one course per year. (and may not have these responsibilities if they are also teaching graduate students). 

Apart from P.G Diploma in Higher Education or Master’s Degree in Education, many institutes offer bachelor’s degrees in Education. 

Apart from P.G Diploma in Higher Education or Master’s Degree in Education, many institutes offer Bachelor’s degrees in Education. It is not mandatory to have a PhD in India to become an assistant professor. However, if you want to become a professor at the same institute where you received your PhD (Doctor of Philosophy), it will be difficult without full-fledged PhD admissions. 

A Master’s program or M.Ed. degree has 4 semesters and comprises coursework and research work. 

If you want to become an assistant professor, then it’s important to know that there are two types of PhD Admissions: 
  1. A Master’s degree or M.Ed. degree has 4 semesters and comprises coursework and research work. It is usually awarded after completion of 2 years in a PhD in India. With a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 7.0 out of 4 on all courses during the first 2 years.
  2. A doctoral degree is awarded after completion of 3–5 years depending on the institution where you are doing your studies. Taking about 5-6 courses per year plus research papers, dissertations and thesis/dissertation projects, etc.

You can pursue a master’s qualification if you want to teach in college. But if you want to be a professor you must have PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) Degree 

There are some exceptions where the master’s degree is not mandatory for an assistant professor. For example: 
  1. Assistant Professors or Lecturers don’t require postgraduate courses of study at any university or institute recognized by an appropriate authority.
  2. Associate Professors and Lecturers do not require any postgraduate qualifications other than those required for their positions; 

PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) Admission

The majority of post-graduate programs are offered in the fields of education, psychology, social work, and nursing. Many institutions offer Master’s degrees or PhD admissions. These degrees may require one or more years to complete while others can be completed in one year. Aimlay hopes you found this blog useful if you’re eligible to become an Assistant professor. We also hope this blog helps you to understand more about PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) versus an MEd degree. 

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