Associate professor is an academic title with two principal meanings.

What is the difference between a professor and an associate professor?

The job of professor and associate professor both require a doctorate or other professional degree. A main difference involves the level of recognition; professors are nationally or internationally known and associate professors may be an authority in their field, but have not earned the notoriety of a full professor.

Is an associate professor higher than a professor?

The difference between professor and associate professor is that there is less of an imperative to demonstrate leadership qualities for the title of associate professor. ... They have nearly always held the title of professor at the university.