The Adjunct's Handbook: A Survival Guide for Part-Time and Contingent Faculty - Softcover

Yager, Jan

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1421453665 ISBN 13: 9781421453668

Publisher: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2026

Synopsis

A practical guide for thriving as an adjunct.

Today, more than two-thirds of college courses are taught by part-time or contingent faculty who are navigating a system that too often offers little guidance, support, or stability. Dr. Jan Yager's The Adjunct's Handbook is a clear, practical guide designed to equip adjunct instructors with the knowledge they need to thrive in a challenging and frequently overlooked corner of higher education.

Drawing on insights from more than 100 surveys, interviews with more than 60 adjunct and full-time professors, and her own extensive teaching experience, Yager covers the essential information you need to become and excel as an adjunct. This comprehensive book explains how to:

• Hone your teaching strategies—including how to structure courses, manage students, and adapt to in-person or online formats
• Navigate the system by learning how to apply for teaching positions, negotiate pay, and choose the right institutions for your goals
• Know your rights regarding contracts, unions, intellectual property, other employment, and academic freedom
• Combat isolation by building professional networks, finding connections, and practicing advocacy

Whether you teach in person, online, or in a hybrid environment, as a new adjunct or a seasoned one, Dr. Yager addresses the inequities, questions, isolation, and stigma that too many adjuncts routinely face. She offers concrete strategies for improving working conditions, building community, and advocating for yourself in a field where opportunities and support can be unevenly distributed. Accessible and informative, filled with real-life anecdotes and quotes, The Adjunct's Handbook is essential reading for anyone who is trying to make part-time teaching work.

About this title

About the Author

Jan Yager is an adjunct associate professor at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice and an adjunct faculty member at William Paterson University. She is the author of numerous award-winning books, including Essentials of Victimology: Crime Victims, Theories, Controversies, and Victims' Rights and Time Management and Other Essential Skills for College Students: How to Improve Productivity, Present with Ease, Write Better, Study More Effectively, Get an Internship, and Lots More.

Edition details

• Publisher: Johns Hopkins University Press
• Publication date: 2026
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1421453665
• ISBN 13: 9781421453668
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 266