The Adjunct Alert › Online teaching guides

How to tell if a college teaching job is really online

Why can't you trust the title or the location?

The location on a posting is often filled in by the college's human resources system. That system needs a campus for every job, even a remote one. So a fully online class can show a city and state.

It works the other way too. A title can say "online" when the role mixes online and campus classes. The posting's own words settle it.

What words mean a job is fully online?

Look for plain statements like these, taken from real postings:

"Modality: 100% Online Asynchronous"

"teach assigned graduate counseling courses in a fully online format"

"Work Location: Full Remote"

Other good signs: "online campus," "distance education," "delivered asynchronously," and "remote position."

What words mean it could be online or on campus?

Many postings cover every format the department offers. You may get an online class, or you may not. Watch for wording like this:

"in a face to face or online setting as dictated by the course format"

"may include face-to-face, hybrid, online, and remote instruction"

These are still worth applying to if you can only teach online. Say so in your cover letter, so the department knows which sections to offer you.

What words mean you will need to be on campus?

Some postings mention online teaching and still expect you in person. These phrases are the ones to catch:

• "This is not a remote position."
• "No remote-only assignments."
• "On-campus intensive" or "residency" each term.
• "Must live within commuting distance."
• Labs, clinicals, or simulations that meet in person.

What is the difference between synchronous and asynchronous?

An asynchronous class has no set meeting time. You post, grade, and reply on your own schedule, within deadlines. A synchronous class meets live at a set time, usually by video.

This matters if you teach for more than one college. Asynchronous classes are easier to stack, because the schedules cannot collide.

Does it matter what state you live in?

It can. Some colleges only hire online instructors who live in certain states. Look for a line such as "eligible states" or "must reside in." It is often near the bottom of the posting.

A quick checklist

• Find the sentence that says how the class is taught.
• Check whether it says online only, or lists several formats.
• Look for any campus visit, lab, or residency.
• Check for live meeting times.
• Check for a list of states.

Common questions

Is "hybrid" the same as online?

No. A hybrid class mixes online work with in-person meetings, so you need to be near the campus.

Is "remote" the same as "online"?

Not always. "Online" describes how students take the class. "Remote" describes where you work. A fully online class with a remote instructor is the one to look for.

How does The Adjunct Alert show this?

We read each posting. Every job lead shows how the class is taught and quotes the posting's own words, so you know before you click.

The Adjunct Alert Team