My Experience and Stipend as an Online Adjunct Professor at the University of the People

Can you make money teaching online? 

I am always looking for ways to make money online. So, when the opportunity came up to be an Online Adjunct Professor at the University of the People (UoPeople), I decided I would accept. Today, I'm sharing my honest experience including the challenges, the rewards, and the income reveal, all with a healthy dose of reality for my fellow digital nomads.

University of the People logo.

The Accidental Professor: My Journey into Academia

My initial aim was simply to teach English online, a skill I honed with a shiny new TEFL certificate. Little did I know, my background in HR, coupled with degrees in computer science and business administration, opened up even more exciting avenues at UoPeople. It turns out, my diverse skillset wasn't just collecting digital dust on my resume – UoPeople needed instructors to teach english, computer science, and business administration! I think they were as happy to find me as I was to find them. I had never taught at a university before, but I was ready for the challenge.

The application started smoothly, just an online application that took an hour or so. There wasn't even an interview. Then came the delightful world of international degree certification. My US degrees were easy to verify, but my Master's from O.P. Jindal University in India required a special "NACES certification" which is a process that is very confusing, involves way too many people, and costs at least $100 USD. I hope you never have to go through it, but if you do, stay strong! It took forever to get my transcripts to the certifying organization, but eventually, my application was complete, my degrees were certified, and I completed the onboarding to be a new Online Adjunct Instructor at the University of the People. I was ready to teach my first course.

My First Term: Diving into the Deep End of Online Education

For my first term (January 30th to April 2nd, 2025), I decided to ease myself in with one course. The university randomly assigns courses you are qualified to teach and I ended up with Intermediate English. I had a warm group of students from all over the world. The curriculum was already laid out, which was helpful for a new teacher like me. My main tasks involved creating engaging discussions in the online forums, grading written assignments, and occasionally troubleshooting technical issues for students. Beyond the core responsibilities, I made it a point to encourage and support my students in their learning journey. There was also a weekly virtual meeting for new instructors and the requirement to log into the platform at least every 48 hours.

Over the course of that term, I logged just over 80 hours and 12 minutes. That breaks down to approximately 1.27 hours per day, around 8.89 hours per week, and roughly 40 hours per month. The beauty of it was the flexibility – I could work whenever I wanted, as long as I met the deadlines and the 48-hour login requirement. Some days were light, just checking emails, while others involved hours of grading and responding to discussion posts.

The Good, The Bad, and The "Could Be Better"

Like any experience, this one had its ups and downs. The pros included gaining valuable teaching experience, the small stipend, which I will detail in a moment, and the rewarding interaction with people keen on learning. It's is pretty inspiring to connect with students from such diverse backgrounds and witness their progress.

However, there were also cons. Despite being an intermediate English class, some students weren't quite ready for that level. There was also limited influence over the curriculum, so I didn't get to practice designing courses. The realities of global education also presented some challenges. It was humbling to learn about the limited resources some students faced, with stories of long journeys just to access a computer. On a more personal note, despite my best attempts at coaching and guidance, one student ultimately didn't meet the academic requirements. Delivering that failing grade was not easy, and I reviewed his work multiple times looking for some sort of redemption, but in the end they failed. To make it worse, the student sent me multiple emails insulting me, making excuses, and demanding I give them a passing grade.

Advice for Aspiring Remote Educators (and a Reality Check)

Thinking of becoming an online adjunct professor? If you have the time, patience, and a genuine desire to help others learn, I say go for it! The experience of connecting with students and contributing to their education is rewarding. However, it's crucial to view this, at least if your situation is like mine, as an opportunity to give more than you receive. It is a volunteer opportunity with a stipend. Ensure your main income streams are stable before taking on this role. The stipend alone will not fund your digital nomad adventure.

The Moment You've Been Waiting For: The Income Reveal!

Alright, you skipped the whole blog and made it to the section where I reveal my earnings. For the 80 hours and 12 minutes I dedicated to teaching Intermediate English, my total earnings were $300 USD. Breaking that down, it comes to roughly $3.74 per hour, about $33.33 per week, and around $142.86 per month. That is relatively not much money, and it definitely won't fund a lifestyle.

While the stipend was low for a single, non-credit introductory course. The stipend for credit-bearing courses in high-demand fields like computer science and business administration is significantly higher. I just started teaching my second term which includes two undergraduate courses in computer science and expect a much higher stipend. So, consider this my "level one" income reveal. I will make a future blog where I share the breakdown of earnings from teaching the two computer science courses this term.

A Game-Changing Development: Accreditation Achieved!

But wait, there's more! Halfway through my first term, something unexpected happened. The University of the People earned WASC accreditation from the Senior College and University Commission which is the very same accreditation held by giants like Stanford University. This is a game-changer for UoPeople students, making their hard-earned credits more respected and transferable, and opening doors to Federal Financial Aid. For me, it was another twist on the path of my digital nomad adventure. I went from being a volunteer English instructor at a non-accredited institution to teaching computer science to undergraduates at an accredited university. This accreditation significantly boosts the value of the education UoPeople provides, and I'm humbled to be a part of it.

Western Association of Schools and Colleges logo.

My initial foray into the world of online education with the University of the People has been an eye-opening adventure. It is not a instant ticket into the digital nomad lifestyle, but it offers a unique and fulfilling way to contribute to global education, gain valuable remote work experience, and make a little money while you travel. This experience perfectly encapsulates the evolving landscape of remote work and the various possibilities for funding your freedom and living life on your own terms, one online class at a time.

Adventure on!