Faculty Composition

Harvard's faculty consists of both tenured professors and "ladder faculty" (associate and assistant professors), and other teaching...

Harvard's faculty consists of both tenured professors and "ladder faculty" (associate and assistant professors), and other teaching faculty (professors of practice, lecturers, adjuncts, and visitors). Adjusted to full-time equivalents, the heft of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences becomes apparent. So does the mix -- of regular faculty appointees versus others, often practitioners (compare business and law, for example). These data for the fall of 2003 exclude hospital-based medical-faculty members (who equal those shown, from the "Quad" departments), and 9,000-plus unpaid medical and dental clinical appointees.


Chart by Stephen Anderson



Most popular

Meet Harvard’s 2026 Student Commencement Speakers

Two undergraduates and a Ph.D. candidate will address the graduating class on May 28.

Ronny Chieng Tells Harvard to ‘Destroy AI’ as Graduates Cheer

The comedian and The Daily Show host gave the keynote address for Class Day 2026.

Harvard Weathers a Year of Turmoil

The federal government has launched unprecedented actions against the University. Here’s a guide.

Explore More From Current Issue

Woman with long hair, smiling, wearing a black sweater, in a textured beige background.

For This Poet, AI Is a Writing Partner

Sasha Stiles trained a chatbot on her manuscripts. Now, her poems rewrite themselves.

Three joyful graduates in caps and gowns celebrate together outdoors.

Your Harvard 2026 Commencement Week Guide

College reunions and Alumni Day will take place the following week

A glowing orange sun with a star and a trailing gas cloud in space.

A Harvard Astrophysicist Explains the Bizarre Behavior of a Supergiant Star

The dimming and rapid rotation of Betelgeuse may be caused by a hidden companion.