graphic version

University Professors (NOC 4121)


Description

University professors teach courses to undergraduate and graduate students and conduct research at universities and degree-granting colleges. University professors who are heads of departments are included in this unit group.

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Example Titles

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Classified Elsewhere

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Duties

University professors perform some or all of the following duties:

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Skills

University professors should have the following skills and abilities:

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Employment Requirements

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Terms & Conditions

University professors usually keep flexible work schedules that involve teaching, research, writing, study, meetings, and being available for consultation with students. Most work some evenings. Travel is required to conduct research, attend conferences, symposia and other events. The majority of university professors work full-time (83%) during the school year. All are salaried positions. In Manitoba they are employed by the University of Manitoba (and affiliates), the University of Winnipeg, and the University of Brandon.

Salaries are governed by collective agreements between the University and its Faculty Association. University professors withut tenure, or under short-term contract, typically earn considerably less than those with tenure. Generally, the academic year is considered to be eight months in duration, running from September to April.

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Earnings

$46,500 per annum - starting

$83,000 per annum - average

$136,500 per annum - high

Earnings are reviewed annually or more frequently if new information becomes available.

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Education / Training

The University of Manitoba offers Doctoral (Ph.D.) programs in the following faculties:

Master's degree programs are available as follows:

University of Manitoba offers Master's degrees in the following faculties:

Brandon University offers Master's degrees in the following faculties:

University of Winnipeg offers Master's degrees in the following faculties:

Collège universitaire de Saint-Boniface (French Instruction) offers Master's degree programs in the following faculties:

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Career Paths

While they are graduate students, students wanting to become professors often work as teaching assistants, helping with tasks such as leading tutorial groups, assisting with research and marking papers and exams.

University professors advance through a series of ranks, going from assistant professor to associate professor and finally to full professor status. Many universities hire lecturers on a contract basis before they offer tenure (a permanent position) to professors. The responsibilities of each rank are about the same, but salaries increase with rank to reflect teaching and research achievements and years of service.

Depending on experience, seniority, and credentials, professors with an interest in administration may move to department head, dean, vice-president, president of a university. Some become consultants for industry and government, and may do so while they are professors.

Professors may pursue other occupations related to their field of studies, e.g., research chemist, engineer.

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Outlook

Employment prospects for university professors generally are expected to be good in the period 2010 - 2014. Demand will be strongest in the specialties of Management, Medicine, Information Technology, Engineering and Nursing. The number of university professors in Manitoba in 2010 is estimated at 2,345.

In the last decade, the lack of jobs prompted young people to seek a university education to improve their labour market prospects. A university education is increasingly essential to gain entry into many occupations that required only high school diploma in the past. Technological advances and the knowledge based economy are driving the demand for a post secondary education. At the same time, the cost can have an impact on demand. Manitoba universities have increased revenues and enrolment numbers by attracting many foreign students who pay higher fees than local citizens. To date, Manitoba has avoided the sharp increases in student fees reported in most other provinces. Provincial tax incentives introduced in 2007, favour graduates who remain and work in the province after graduation.

It is not expected that the number of tenured positions will increase significantly over the forecast period, although there may be increases in contract positions. Opportunities will arise as a result of retirements, as a considerable number of university professors are aged 55 years and older. It is possible that distance education will have an impact later in the forecast period, increasing the demand for university professors able to teach in a "virtual" environment.

A proportionally larger number of jobs are located in Winnipeg. The majority of university professors work in the Educational Services sector.

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Employment by Age Group

 This Occupation All Occupations
Age 15-19 0% 7%
Age 20-24 0% 10%
Age 25-29 5% 9%
Age 30-34 9% 10%
Age 35-39 10% 10%
Age 40-44 15% 13%
Age 45-49 16% 13%
Age 50-54 12% 12%
Age 55-59 16% 9%
Age 60-64 12% 5%
65 years and over 6% 3%

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Employment by Industry

     
Educational services 580%

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Employment by Region

 This Occupation All Occupations
North 3% 5%
Parklands 0% 3%
Interlake 1% 8%
Winnipeg 85% 58%
North Central 0% 4%
Southwest 7% 9%
South Central 0% 5%
Southeast 3% 8%

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Employment by Gender

 This Occupation All Occupations
Males 61% 53%
Females 39% 47%

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This Occupation All Occupations

Employment by Aboriginal Self-Identification

 2% 10%

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This Occupation All Occupations

Employment by Visible Minority

 0% 0%

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Please Note - The source for above charts is the 2006 Census.



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Service Canada

Province of Manitoba