Visiting Assistant Professor vs. Tenure Track: Which Is Better for Your Career?

When you finish your PhD, you will see two main types of full-time faculty jobs: visiting assistant professor (VAP) and tenure-track assistant professor. They sound similar but are very different.

What Is a Tenure-Track Assistant Professor?

A tenure-track assistant professor is a permanent line. You have a probationary period of 5-7 years. If you meet the requirements, you get tenure and job security for life. These jobs are the gold standard but very competitive.

What Is a Visiting Assistant Professor (VAP)?

A VAP is a full-time, temporary position lasting 1 to 3 years. You have the same duties as a tenure-track professor but no path to tenure. When your contract ends, you must find another job.

Key Differences

Job security: Tenure-track has permanence. VAP has none.

Salary: Tenure-track pays $78k-$95k. VAP pays $55k-$75k.

Research expectations: Tenure-track requires publication. VAP may have none.

Mentorship: Tenure-track faculty get formal mentorship. VAPs often do not.

Pros and Cons

Tenure-track pros: High pay, job security, research support, prestige.

Tenure-track cons: Extremely competitive, high pressure, possible denial.

VAP pros: Easier to get, good experience, no research pressure.

VAP cons: Low pay, no job security, must move again after 1-3 years.

Should You Take a VAP?

Take the VAP if: You have no other full-time offer, need teaching experience, are willing to move again.

Decline if: You have a better-paying non-academic job, the VAP has a 4-4 teaching load, you have already had a VAP that did not lead to anything.

How to Use a VAP to Get a Tenure-Track Job

Publish during your VAP. Get great teaching evaluations. Network with senior faculty. Apply widely to 20-30 tenure-track jobs per year.

Final Decision Framework

A VAP is not a failure. It is experience. Use it wisely.