Professor vs. Teacher: What's the Difference?
Quick Answer
A "teacher" is a general term for anyone who instructs students, most commonly used for primary and secondary (K-12) education. A "professor" is a specific, higher academic rank held by an instructor at a college or university, usually requiring an advanced degree (often a PhD) and involving research responsibilities alongside teaching.
Difference at a Glance
| Feature | Teacher | Professor |
|---|---|---|
| Level taught | Primary/secondary school (also a general term) | College/university |
| Typical qualification | Teaching degree/certification | Doctorate (PhD) in most countries |
| Main duties | Classroom instruction | Teaching, research, publishing, advising |
| Scope of term | General — any instructor | Specific academic rank/title |
Definitions
Teacher
The general word for someone who instructs students, especially at school level, or as a broad category covering all instructors.
a/the teacher (of + subject)
"Her math teacher assigned extra homework."
"He has been a high school teacher for ten years."
Professor
A specific university-level academic rank, usually earned through advanced degrees and ongoing research, alongside teaching.
a/the professor (of + subject)
"The professor published a new study on climate change."
"She became a professor after finishing her PhD and years of research."
Grammar Rule
Key Rule: Use "teacher" as the general word for anyone who teaches, especially at school level, or as a broad category covering all instructors. Use "professor" specifically for a university-level academic rank, usually earned through advanced degrees and research.
In casual speech, university instructors are sometimes loosely called "teachers," and all professors are technically teachers — but not all teachers are professors, since "professor" is a specific rank within the broader "teacher" category.
Common Mistakes
Incorrect: The elementary school professor gave the students a math worksheet.
Correct: The elementary school teacher gave the students a math worksheet.
Elementary instructors are called teachers, not professors.
Incorrect: Every university teacher must complete a PhD and publish research to get the title.
Correct: Every university professor must complete a PhD and publish research to get the title.
"Professor" specifically requires the advanced degree and research record described here.
Incorrect: She calls herself a professor after finishing her teaching certificate for high school.
Correct: She calls herself a teacher after finishing her teaching certificate for high school.
A high school teaching certificate leads to the title "teacher," not "professor."
More Correct Examples
Mini Quiz
1. Choose the correct word: The person who teaches third grade at the local school is called a _____.
Show answer and explanation
Answer: teacher
K-12 instructors are called teachers, the general term.
2. Choose the correct word: A university instructor with a PhD who both teaches and publishes research is a _____.
Show answer and explanation
Answer: professor
Teaching combined with research at a university is the professor rank.
3. Fix the sentence: "My kindergarten professor reads us a story every afternoon."
Show answer and explanation
Answer: My kindergarten teacher reads us a story every afternoon.
Kindergarten instructors are teachers, not professors.
Common Learner Questions
Are all university instructors professors?
Not necessarily — some university instructors hold titles like "lecturer" or "instructor" without having earned the full "professor" rank, which usually requires an advanced degree and research record.
Can a professor also be called a teacher?
Yes — "teacher" is the broad category that includes professors, so it is accurate (if informal) to call a professor a teacher, even though "professor" is more specific.
What ranks exist below professor?
Many universities use a ladder such as lecturer, assistant professor, associate professor, and full professor, each requiring different levels of experience and research achievement.