| One of the most basic questions asked is, "How | | | | Thus, many schools have a sliding scale based on the |
| much do professors teaching online classes get paid?" | | | | number years of prior teaching experience. |
| This is an important consideration. Before a person | | | | Some fields are in high demand such as criminal |
| goes to the trouble of finding online courses to | | | | justice, nursing, education, and nutrition. There is |
| teach, he/she must first evaluate the amount of | | | | competition for professors who are certifiable to |
| money that can be earned through online classes to | | | | teach courses in these fields. Therefore, universities |
| determine if their economic needs can be satisfied. | | | | are forced to pay a premium in order to attract |
| Unfortunately, there is no simple answer. There are | | | | them to their programs. |
| several variables that can affect the amount of | | | | Another consideration is the level of the course to be |
| money that a person can earn teaching an online | | | | taught. Most colleges will pay more for a |
| class, including education level, prior experience, field, | | | | masters-level course than for an undergraduate |
| course level, and region. These factors are pertinent | | | | course. Some schools even pay even more for |
| for adjunct professors. Interestingly, the rates for | | | | doctoral-level courses. |
| onground and online professors are the same per | | | | The final consideration is the location of the |
| course. | | | | institution. The cost-of-living can greatly vary |
| Most colleges and universities prefer their part-time | | | | between cities. In order for professors to live on an |
| and full-time faculty to hold doctoral degrees. Some | | | | equal basis in different parts of the country, a |
| schools have a set pay schedule and do not | | | | significantly higher salary must be earned in Los |
| differentiate by degrees. In order to attract | | | | Angeles, CA, than in Huntington, WV. Therefore, the |
| doctorates, they will pay a premium which usually | | | | pay scale in Los Angeles must be proportionately |
| ranges from $200.00 to $500.00 per course. | | | | higher to reflect the higher cost of living. |
| Another factor that is often emphasized is | | | | However, high levels of income can be earned as a |
| experience. Colleges usually prefer professors who | | | | part-time online professor if they follow a simple |
| have taught before, with the emphasis on online | | | | strategy. This is teaching several courses at a time at |
| teaching. Experience minimizes the number of | | | | several universities. It is indeed a numbers game. |
| "incidents" that the school will have to deal with. | | | | |