Definition and Significance of Extraordinary Professors
Extraordinary professors (abbreviation: apl. professors) are university faculty members who hold a specific legal status within the German higher education system. Although they possess habilitation or equivalent academic achievements and meet the requirements for a professorship, they are not appointed to a regular, budgeted professorship. Instead, the title “extraordinary professor” is bestowed upon them on account of outstanding academic achievements and teaching activities.
Legal Basis and Statutory Regulations
Higher Education Laws of the Federal States
The legal basis for awarding the title of extraordinary professor is primarily found in the higher education laws of the individual federal states. These state laws regulate the prerequisites for the award, rights and duties, and status.
For example, Section 31 of the Higher Education Act of North Rhine-Westphalia (HG NRW) and Section 42 of the Bavarian Higher Education Innovation Act (BayHIG) govern the appointment of extraordinary professors. The specific structure can vary between states, but the regulations have many parallels.
Internal University Regulations
In addition to statutory regulations, universities may issue their own implementing provisions, statutes, or regulations detailing the procedure for awarding the extraordinary professorship, further requirements, and examination modalities.
Requirements for Awarding the Title
Academic Qualification
The key prerequisite for awarding the title of extraordinary professor is proof of special academic achievements. This is typically demonstrated by completing a habilitation or equivalent scholarly works. Significant academic reputation must be evidenced by publications, research achievements, and academic engagement.
Teaching Activities
In addition, evidence of regular, successful teaching activity over a longer period is required. The length and extent of teaching performance demanded vary between states, but generally amount to at least two to four years after completion of the habilitation.
Additional Requirements
It is generally required that the individual makes a contribution to academic teaching and research at the university independently of holding a full-time position. The decision to confer the title is made by the responsible university bodies, based on a recommendation from the relevant faculty or department.
Legal Status and Standing
Relationship to Regular Professors
Unlike university professors and holders of regular professorships (regular professors), extraordinary professors usually do not hold a professorship of their own and are not necessarily employed in civil service status. Frequently, they pursue other primary careers (e.g., as private lecturers, scientists, in the public sector, or in private industry).
Rights and Duties
The rights and duties of extraordinary professors are governed by the state higher education laws and each university’s specific regulations. These typically include entitlement to use the professor title, associated teaching authorizations (Venia legendi), examination activities, and participation in certain committees, but without the full rights afforded to regular university professors. The title alone does not confer any entitlement to remuneration, personal chairs, salary, or civil servant privileges.
Employment and Service Relationship
Since extraordinary professors are generally not holders of regular professorships, the awarding of this title does not establish an independent employment or civil service relationship with the university. Conducting lectures and examinations may—depending on the university—be remunerated but is often structured as honorary or part-time teaching activity.
Procedure for Awarding the Title
Application and Review
The title is awarded upon formal application, which may be submitted by a private applicant or upon recommendation by the relevant faculty. During the procedure, academic qualifications and teaching performance are reviewed and assessed by independent reviewers and faculty committees.
Decision by University Bodies
The award decision is made by the responsible faculty council or appropriate university body. The final appointment is made by the university administration or the responsible ministry of the respective state, in accordance with state law provisions.
Issuing of Certificate and Use of Title
With the positive outcome, a certificate is issued entitling the recipient to use the title “extraordinary professor.” The title is generally not restricted to the respective university but may be used nationwide.
Revocation and Expiry of Appointment
Grounds for Revocation
The title of extraordinary professor may be revoked or withdrawn in specific cases—for example, for serious breaches of scientific integrity, criminal conduct, or if the basis for activity ceases to exist (e.g., permanent discontinuation of teaching activities without good cause).
Revocation Procedure
The revocation procedure is also regulated by state law and internal university regulations and generally includes a hearing for the affected person as well as a formal decision-making process by the university administration.
Distinction from Other Titles
- Honorary Professor: Awarded on the recommendation of the faculty to persons who have achieved outstanding academic or professional accomplishments outside the university and who teach regularly without being full-time academics.
- Private Lecturer: Holds the Venia legendi and is authorized to teach independently at the university without using the additional designation “Professor.”
- Regular Professors (ordinary or extraordinary professorships): Are employed as office holders at universities either as civil servants or salaried employees.
Significance and Practical Relevance
Extraordinary professors are an important part of academic life at German universities. Through their independent research, continuous teaching, and engagement, they contribute to the academic and scientific advancement of their field. Their special legal status reflects the high esteem and necessity for academic qualification beyond solely salaried professorships.
Summary
The term “extraordinary professors” refers to a group of university faculty who are elevated to professor status through excellent academic work and continuous teaching, without occupying a regular professorship in a civil servant or employee relationship. Their rights, duties, and the appointment procedure are primarily regulated by the higher education laws of the federal states as well as university-specific provisions. The role of these title holders is of outstanding importance to the German higher education landscape, as they ensure and promote scientific quality, innovative research, and sustainable teaching.
Frequently Asked Questions
What legal requirements must be met for appointment as an extraordinary professor?
Appointment as an extraordinary professor (apl. professor) requires the candidate to meet the general civil service and higher education law requirements set forth in the respective state higher education law and, in some cases, university statutes. The key prerequisite is usually a habilitation or a scientifically recognized equivalent qualification, which is generally evidenced by extensive independent research and publications. Furthermore, the applicant typically must have completed several years of teaching at a university exceeding normal levels—usually at least two semesters or more. It is also checked whether fundamental university selection principles, such as merit-based selection and transparency, have been followed. The final decision is made by the competent body of the university, often the faculty council or senate, in accordance with a proper certificate of appointment. Additionally, the legal frameworks require positive evaluation of teaching and research activities, which must be documented by formal assessments and committee decisions.
What rights and duties arise from the status of an extraordinary professor?
Extraordinary professors are awarded an honorary title but do not receive their own position and normally are not in a civil servant relationship unless they already hold another position at the university. The status confers special teaching rights (“venia legendi”) and the right to use the title “Professor.” They may offer courses independently, conduct examinations, and, depending on state law, supervise doctoral and habilitation procedures. However, the title does not entitle them to salary or remuneration; often, they remain unpaid or receive payment only for the actual courses taught. Their duty is to continue regular teaching and academic activity. Failure to meet these duties can lead to revocation of the title. Legal claims to equipment, resources, or staff typically do not exist or are only available to a limited extent; exceptions may be regulated individually in university statutes.
What legal differences exist between regular and extraordinary professors?
The main legal difference lies in their employment status and associated service relationships. Regular professors are appointed to an advertised professorship, receive a permanent position, and enter into a civil servant or employment contract with the full rights and duties of a faculty member. They are entitled to a salary and, as a rule, have wide-ranging participation, co-determination, and voting rights in academic bodies. Extraordinary professors, by contrast, only receive the title as an honor, usually after successful completion of habilitation and proven teaching activity, but have no entitlement to a professorship, salary, or similar rights. While they usually have voting rights in doctoral procedures and teaching authorizations, they are excluded from most of the service-related privileges or obligations of regular professors.
To what extent is an extraordinary professor legally integrated into the university?
Legally, extraordinary professors have no claim to integration as civil servants or permanent employees. Their integration primarily results from teaching authorization and the university’s right of self-administration, allowing them to participate in examinations, courses, and selected committees as members or guests, provided this is stipulated in university regulations. However, they are not subject to the same specific duties, such as those required for university self-administration, as regular professors. With respect to authority, benefits, and entitlement to university services (e.g., office, secretarial support, etc.), apl. professors are generally not accorded equal status, unless individually contractually agreed or governed by university regulations.
What legal remedies are available against refusal or revocation of the title “extraordinary professor”?
If appointment as an extraordinary professor is refused or the title revoked, this constitutes an administrative act that the applicant can challenge through legal means. Generally, an objection procedure is initiated first, in which the university or a higher authority reviews the decision. If no remedy is found, the affected party may file a lawsuit before the administrative courts. Judicial review is limited to compliance with legal requirements and procedure, particularly whether discretionary and evaluative errors occurred. In the event of revocation of the title, e.g., due to persistent failure to fulfill teaching obligations or academic deficiencies, the same legal remedies apply, with the university required to substantiate grounds and the proportionality of the action.
Under what legal conditions can the status of an extraordinary professor be revoked?
Revocation of the title “extraordinary professor” is regulated by state higher education laws and the relevant university regulations. Key grounds include permanent and unjustified cessation of ongoing teaching activities, serious academic misconduct such as plagiarism, or gross violations of academic order. Revocation is effected through a formal administrative act against which the affected person may lodge an objection and, if necessary, bring a legal action. The reasons for the decision must be thoroughly documented and the principle of proportionality must be observed. Once revoked, the title generally cannot be awarded again unless the revocation was unlawful and the administrative act is annulled.
Are there special provisions on equality and anti-discrimination in the appointment procedure for extraordinary professors?
The appointment procedure for extraordinary professors is also subject to the principles of the German General Equal Treatment Act (AGG) and state equal treatment laws. Discrimination based on gender, age, ethnic origin, or other legally protected characteristics is legally impermissible. Universities are obliged to ensure transparency and equal opportunity in the selection process, and to appropriately consider the promotion of women and equality. If violations are alleged, legal remedies such as complaints to equal opportunity officers and, where appropriate, judicial review exist. The relevant procedures are detailed in state legal provisions and respective university regulations.
