Have you finished your online MA degree and want to become an assistant professor? Becoming an Assistant Professor of English is a dream of many students who are passionate about literature and teaching.
If you are interested in exploring the different writing styles and genres and analysing novels, plays, and poetry, this can be your perfect career.
Sometimes one question may hit you: “How to become an Assistant Professor with Online MA English?” You can become an assistant professor until the UGC recognises your MA degree. In this blog, we will clear all your doubts and tell you about the steps to become an Assistant Professor in India.
Who is an Assistant Professor?
An assistant professor is an entry-level job at a college or university where you teach students, conduct research, and guide students in their academic career journey. An associate professor of English deals with books, literature, linguistics, and many other related topics.
Apart from teaching, he also contributes to curriculum creation, assignment creation and guides students in their research projects. This profession requires a lot of knowledge, patience, and passion for teaching.
Universities also encourage professors to research, write papers, and attend academic conferences. It’s not just about teaching; it’s about increasing your knowledge and understanding of the subject.
Is It Possible to Become an Assistant Professor with an Online MA in English?
Yes, it is possible to become an Assistant Professor with an online MA in English if your degree is from a UGC-recognised university. Over the past few years, online education has gained significant acceptance in India, and many universities now offer quality online programs that are fully recognised by the University Grants Commission (UGC).
If the institution offers a UGC-approved online MA degree, then you will meet the educational requirements needed for teaching jobs. However, while the online format offers flexibility, the qualifications you gain will be the same as those from a regular, on-campus program.
So, yes, if you are pursuing an online MA in English from a recognised university, you are on the right path to becoming an Assistant Professor.
How To Become An Assistant Professor With Online MA English?
Below is the step-by-step guide on how to become an Assistant Professor with Online MA English:
Step 1: Complete Your Online MA in English
The first step is to complete your online MA in English degree from a UGC-recognised university. This degree will help you build a career as an Assistant Professor. Choose a university with a strong reputation to ensure a quality education.
Step 2: Clear the UGC NET Exam
The next step is to clear the UGC NET exam, the minimum qualification after an MA degree if you want to become an assistant professor in India. This exam will test your knowledge of English literature and general aptitude for teaching and research.
Step 3: Gain Research Experience
Many universities require you to gain some research experience; for that, you need to read journals, research papers, and books related to your field. You can also contribute to publications and research projects to improve your profile.
Step 4: Build Teaching Experience
However, it is not mandatory everywhere, but teaching experience helps to improve your CV. Consider part-time teaching, tutoring, or conducting workshops. This will help you build your teaching skills, manage classrooms, and gain confidence for a full-time role.
Step 5: Stay Updated with New Trends
Keep yourself updated with the latest academic trends, literature critiques, and teaching methods in your field. You can attend seminars, webinars, and educational conferences to stay in touch with new research, trends, and teaching strategies.
Step 6: Network with Academics
Networking with professors, researchers, and other academics can open new career opportunities. Join academic groups and online communities to connect with professionals in the field and stay informed about job openings or academic developments.
Step 7: Apply for Assistant Professor Positions
Once you have completed your education, cleared the UGC NET, gained some experience, and built a strong profile, it’s time to apply for Assistant Professor roles. Look for job openings at universities, colleges, and research institutes, and submit your CV and your application.
Step 8: Appear for the Interview
The last step is to appear for the interview, where you will be reviewed and asked questions related to your subject, and you may give a teaching demo.
Eligibility Criteria to Become an Assistant Professor in India
- Educational Qualifications
Candidates need to gain an MA in English degree with a minimum of 55% marks in their marksheet from a UGC-recognised university. This is the first qualification you need to become an assistant professor; however, having only a degree can’t make you eligible for an assistant professor interview.
- UGC NET Exam
Now with an Online MA in English degree, you need to qualify UGC NET exams, which is an important and necessary exam you need to clear. This exam tests your subject knowledge and teaching abilities.
- Ph.D. (Optional)
However, it is not required every time, but having a PhD can improve your chances of getting hired as an assistant professor.
- Teaching or Research Experience (Helpful)
This is also not mandatory every time, but if you have prior teaching and research experience, then this is beneficial for you and may be preferred by universities.
- Age Limit
The UGC NET exam has an age limit for candidates (usually 30 years for general candidates), but there’s no age limit for the Assistant Professor role itself.
Importance of UGC NET for Assistant Professor roles
- Essential for College Teaching Jobs:
Clearing the UGC NET is usually a must if you want to become an Assistant Professor in India. Without it, most universities won’t consider your application.
- Test Your Knowledge and Teaching Skills:
The exam checks how well you know your subject (like English Literature) and whether you’re ready to teach or do research.
- Eligibility for JRF (Junior Research Fellowship):
If you score high enough, you may also qualify for a JRF, which is helpful if you plan to do a Ph.D. in the future.
- Opens More Career Opportunities:
Once you clear the UGC NET, you can apply to various government and private colleges across India as an Assistant Professor.
- Compatible with an Online MA:
If your online MA is from a UGC-approved university, you’re fully eligible to appear for UGC NET and pursue teaching roles.
Top Skills Required for Assistant Professors in English
- Strong Subject Knowledge
The basic requirement is your subject knowledge; you need to have a deep knowledge of your subject, because while teaching students may ask questions related to the topic, and you need to answer them.
- Effective Communication Skills
You need excellent communication skills to deliver lectures, many concepts are very hard to explain and hard to understand, and here your communication skills play an important role. If you can explain the complex concepts easily, then students are likely to understand the topic easily.
- Critical Thinking and Analysis
Many topics in English literature need critical analysis. During your teaching career, you need to analyse many novels, poems, and dramas. So, you need to work on your critical thinking and analytical skills.
- Excellent Writing Skills
While teaching, you need to prepare notes, assignments, to publish research papers or articles, writing is a regular part of your job. Clear, well-structured writing helps in both academics and communication with students.
- Classroom Management
Classroom management is another skill you need to develop. You will be working with students of different levels, interests, and backgrounds. In this case, it becomes important to keep students engaged, manage time effectively and handle classroom challenges calmly.
- Strong Teaching Aptitude
You need to develop a strong teaching aptitude to deliver your lectures. Patience, empathy, and a student-first approach are key qualities. If you genuinely care about students’ progress, it will show, and students will respect and respond to that.
- Comfort with Technology
Today’s classrooms, whether online or offline, often involve digital tools. Knowing how to use slides, projectors, online platforms like Google Classroom, Zoom, or Moodle makes your job easier and keeps your teaching more interactive and modern.
Career Scope and Salary as an Assistant Professor
Assistant Professor salaries in India depend on many factors like experience, qualification, and the college or university they work in. Usually, an assistant professor can earn from INR 7,00,000 to INR 9,50,000 and as they gain experience and get promotion their salaries will increase.
Other things like the subject they teach, their research work, and whether the college is government or private also affect how much they earn.
Post Name | Level | Salary (Per Month) |
Assistant professor | Level 10 | INR 57,700 |
Level 11 | INR 68,900 | |
Level 12 | INR 79,800 | |
Associate professor | Level 13A | INR 1,31,400 |
Professor | Level 14 | INR 1,44,200 |
Level 15 | INR 1,82,200 |
Top Universities Offering Online MA in English
University Name | Location |
IGNOU (Indira Gandhi National Open University) | New Delhi |
Kurukshetra University | Kurukshetra, Haryana |
Phagwara, Punjab | |
Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) | Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh |
Multiple (Noida, Lucknow, etc.) | |
Gangtok, Sikkim | |
Jaipur, Rajasthan | |
Chandigarh University | Mohali, Punjab |
Mangalyatan University | Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh |
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Final Thoughts
If you are wondering how to become an Assistant Professor with Online MA English? the path is clear and very much achievable. If your degree is from a UGC-approved university, it holds the same value as a regular one. With the right qualifications, like UGC NET, strong subject knowledge, and a passion for teaching, you can confidently step into the world of academics.
This journey may take time and effort, but it is worth it, especially if you love literature and want to guide the next generation of learners. Just stay focused, keep learning, and continue building the skills that matter most in the classroom.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q.1 Can I apply for Assistant Professor without PhD?
Ans: Yes, you can apply for an Assistant Professor position without a PhD. A PhD is not mandatory for Assistant Professor positions; a Master's degree with at least 55% marks (50% for certain categories) and passing the UGC NET/SET/SLET is required. A PhD is, however, required for promotion to Associate Professor.
Q.2 What is the salary of an Assistant Professor as per UGC norms?
Ans:The minimum starting salary for an Assistant Professor, as per UGC norms, is ₹57,700 per month. This is the basic pay, and the total monthly salary can range from ₹75,000 to ₹80,000, depending on other allowances and benefits.
Q.3 Which is better, JRF or Assistant Professor?
Ans: The minimum starting salary for an Assistant Professor, as per UGC norms, is ₹57,700 per month. This is the basic pay, and the total monthly salary can range from ₹75,000 to ₹80,000, depending on other allowances and benefits.
Q.4 Where can I find job openings for Assistant Professor positions?
Ans:Check university websites, job portals, and academic networks.
Q.5 What skills are essential for an Assistant Professor in English?
Ans:Strong communication, research, and teaching skills are crucial.