LM312 - So You Want to be An Adjunct: A Practical Guide to Adjunct Teaching in Audiology Programs

Abstract: This session offers audiologists and hearing scientists a practical guide to pursuing adjunct teaching positions in Doctor of Audiology programs. Participants will learn how to identify and secure adjunct opportunities, navigate the application process, and negotiate fair compensation and working conditions—an area where experiences often vary widely even within institutions. The presentation covers time-efficient teaching strategies designed specifically for working professionals balancing clinical or research careers with instruction. Through interactive discussions, case scenarios, and downloadable resources including negotiation checklists and course templates, attendees will gain concrete tools to successfully contribute to academic teaching while enriching AuD education with real-world expertise.

Summary: This session provides a comprehensive roadmap for audiologists and hearing scientists interested in adding adjunct teaching roles within Doctor of Audiology (AuD) programs alongside their full-time clinical practice or research. As AuD programs continue to expand and seek experienced practitioners to bridge the gap between academic theory and clinical reality, adjunct opportunities have grown substantially. However, many qualified clinicians and researchers remain unaware of how to access these positions or navigate the unique challenges of part-time academic instruction. The presenters have also found that experiences also differ widely across different adjunct instructors even within the same institution, which can lead to differences in preparatory time or compensation.

Finding Opportunities: The presentation will demystify the academic hiring process, including how universities identify and recruit adjunct faculty. Attendees will learn strategies for connecting with program directors, leveraging professional networks, timing their outreach effectively, and understanding which courses best match their clinical or research expertise.

Application and Interview Process: Practical guidance will address creating teaching-focused CVs, preparing teaching philosophy statements, and succeeding in academic interviews. Participants will learn what program directors seek in adjunct candidates and how to demonstrate teaching potential without extensive pedagogical experience.

Negotiating Terms: This critical section addresses compensation structures, workload expectations, course preparation time, access to university resources, and professional development support. Attendees will receive concrete frameworks for negotiating fair arrangements that respect their time while meeting program needs.

Teaching Strategies for Working Professionals: The presentation will offer time-efficient approaches to course preparation, classroom management, and student engagement specifically designed for instructors balancing clinical or research responsibilities. Topics include leveraging clinical expertise in teaching, creating efficient assessment strategies, using technology effectively, and maintaining work-life-teaching balance.
Innovation and Relevance: While teaching methodology workshops exist, this session uniquely addresses the complete adjunct faculty pipeline from a practitioner's perspective. It fills a significant gap in professional development by acknowledging the specific barriers and opportunities facing audiologists who maintain primary careers outside academia.

Engagement and Takeaways: The session employs interactive elements including audience polling, case scenarios, and Q&A. Participants will receive downloadable resources including email templates for program outreach, negotiation checklists, sample syllabi, and time-management tools. These concrete takeaways ensure immediate applicability.

Impact: By empowering more clinicians and researchers to pursue adjunct teaching, this presentation strengthens audiology education through increased clinical relevance and real-world expertise in AuD curricula. It addresses the profession's need for qualified instructors while creating meaningful career enrichment opportunities for practitioners. Ultimately, students benefit from instruction by active clinicians and researchers who bring current practice trends directly into the classroom, better preparing the next generation of audiologists.

Instructional Level Rationale: This presentation is designated as fundamental because it assumes no prior teaching experience and provides foundational knowledge suitable for all audiologists and hearing scientists, regardless of practice setting or career stage. Content is designed for first-time or prospective adjunct instructors seeking practical, actionable guidance to enter academic teaching. Experienced adjunct instructors are also encouraged to attend to learn negotiation and other strategies and to participate in group discussions.

Brief Summary of Clinical Takeaways: The clinical takeaway for this session is that by equipping clinicians with tools to become effective adjunct instructors, attendees will enhance AuD student preparation, bringing current clinical practices and real-world problem-solving directly into academic curricula, ultimately improving the clinical competence of future audiologists entering the profession.