<P> Professors conduct original research and commonly teach undergraduate, professional and postgraduate courses in their fields of expertise . In universities with graduate schools, professors may mentor and supervise graduate students conducting research for a thesis or dissertation . In many universities,' full professors' take on senior managerial roles, leading departments, research teams and institutes, and filling roles such as president, principal or vice-chancellor . The role of professor may be more public facing than that of more junior staff, and professors are expected to be national or international leaders in their field of expertise . </P> <P> The term "professor" was first used in the late 14th century to mean "one who teaches a branch of knowledge ." The word comes "...from Old French professeur (14c .) and directly from (the) Latin professor (, for) "person who professes to be an expert in some art or science; teacher of highest rank,"; the Latin term came from the "...agent noun from profiteri "lay claim to, declare openly ." As a title that is "prefixed to a name, it dates from 1706 ." The "(s) hort form prof is recorded from 1838 ." The term "professor" is also used with a different meaning: "(o) ne professing religion . This canting use of the word comes down from the Elizabethan period, but is obsolete in England ." </P> <P> A professor is an accomplished and recognized academic . In most Commonwealth nations, as well as northern Europe, the title professor is the highest academic rank at a university . In the United States and Canada, the title of professor applies to most post-doctoral academics, so a larger percentage are thus designated . In these areas, professors are scholars with doctorate degrees (typically Ph. D. degrees) or equivalent qualifications who teach in four - year colleges and universities . An emeritus professor is a title given to selected retired professors with whom the university wishes to continue to be associated due to their stature and ongoing research . Emeritus professors do not receive a salary, but they are often given office or lab space, and use of libraries, labs, and so on . </P> <P> The term professor is also used in the titles assistant professor and associate professor, which are not considered professor - level positions in European countries . In Australia, the title associate professor is used in place of reader, ranking above senior lecturer and below full professor . </P>

What is the qualification to become a professor
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