Retaining the Professor Title After Leaving an Institution: A Guide

If you are a tenured professor, the title often stays with you, especially if you became a full professor or achieved the status of professor emeritus. Personally, I greatly appreciate the honor of being called ‘Dr. G.’ This article explores common scenarios and institutional policies regarding the retention of the professor title after leaving an academic institution.

Clinical Scenario: Can You Keep Your Professor Title?

In the UK, for instance, where the term ‘professor’ always signifies a full professor, retired professors often receive the distinguished title of professor emeritus as a mark of honor and recognition for their service. However, the ability to retain your professor title upon leaving an institution can vary significantly based on the institution's specific policies and the nature of your departure.

Common Scenarios for Retaining the Title

1. Retirement: Many institutions allow retired professors to retain their title, such as Professor Emeritus. This honoree status typically signifies a dedication and service contribution over a significant period.

2. Resignation or Termination: If you resign or are terminated, you generally would no longer be able to use the title as it is often tied to your employment status. Once your employment ends, the title falls out of use.

3. Adjunct or Part-Time Positions: If you leave a full-time position but continue to teach in an adjunct or part-time role, you may retain the title in that context. However, this depends on the institution's policies and internal agreements.

4. Institutional Policies: Some universities have specific policies regarding the retention of titles after leaving. It is advisable to check with the human resources or faculty affairs office of the institution for detailed information.

Understanding the Title Retention Process

Whether you can continue to use the professor title after leaving an institution hinges on your employment status and the institution's specific rules. Institutional policies can be nuanced, so it is crucial to understand these before making any assumptions.

Nominal Considerations

Nominally, the professor title is not something that can be formally retained unless explicitly granted by the institution. Most institutions only use the title “professor” as an active job title, and this title is dropped once formal employment is no longer present. This is often referred to as a “courtesy title,” which means that you may still be referred to as “Professor” out of respect, but you are no longer legally entitled to use the title officially.

Honorary Titles: A Practical Stand-In

In terms of formal recognition, institutions may grant honorary titles to retired professors, such as Professor Emeritus. At some universities, however, this honor is less common and forms of recognition, such as honorary professor, might be given without the formal trappings of Professor Emeritus. These honorary titles serve a practical purpose by acknowledging past contributions, but they do not carry the same formal recognition as the professor emeritus title.

Conclusion

Retaining the professor title after leaving an institution is dependent on these factors, making it important to familiarize yourself with the policies of the institution you are departing and any forms of recognition available to you. In many cases, an honorary title might suffice, though it typically means next to nothing in a formal context but can still hold great value as a form of professional respect.