Thanks for the replies so far.

I am aware that most colleges and universities rely very
heavily on part-time and non-tenure track instructors. It has
been this way for quite some time, and this was part of why I
initially gave up on the idea of becoming a professor. I went
back to college at 25, I didn't like the idea of spending 5 or
6 years to get a Ph.D. in psychology and then have a job
without stability or benefits when I would finish in my
mid-30s. Now that I have a career and I'll be in my mid-40s by
the time I get my doctorate I really don't want to have to do that.

So, here is a new question. After I get my masters I will try
to get a part-time position teaching in a local community
college or four-year college (with a masters I figure the
community college would be much more realistic). By the time I
get my doctorate I should have just over a decade teaching in
the public schools (if I try to become an education professor
that will be work experience in the field I intend to teach)
plus five or six years teaching part-time in a community
college. With the part-time college teaching experience would
I likely be able to skip the time as adjunct or as a non-tenure
track instructor, or will most universities and colleges want
to see that experience with them and full-time? Also, would
the part-time experience be counted at all towards any salary
determination? I know I would start at the bottom level when
it comes to rank (assistant professor), but most positions have
a pay range for people in that position. With the teaching and
part-time college experience would I probably still start at
the bottom salary tier for the ranking or would I have a chance
at being placed higher on the salary range for the position of
assistant professor? I have no illusions that I would start at
a higher level ranking, but at least I would hope that some of
this closely related experience would help my placement on the
salary scale.

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