In the field of the Higher education, the éméritat is an honorary title granted to some professors allowed to take advantage of their right to the retirement. Decreed in consideration of work and the rendered services, this title also makes it possible its recipient to continue to carry on some university or scientific activities, in particular with regard to the framing of Doctorant S.

In France

Founded by article 4 of the law n° 84-834 of September 13rd, 1984 having the aim of fixing at sixty-five years the limiting starting age to the retirement of the civil civils servant of the State, the éméritat is in the beginning an accompanying measure intended to allow the Professor universities to complete certain framing or research tasks in progress according to methods which must be specified by decree in Council of State. Measurement does not cause however to draw aside the application of the age limit to this body of civils servant nor to create a discrimination in their favor.

The device applicable to the professors of the universities is specified by article 58 of the decree n° 84-431 of the bearing June 6th, 1984 particular status of the bodies of teacher-researchers specific to the universities. This device provides that:

The professors admitted with the retirement can for one limited duration by the establishment receive the title of professor emeritus by resolution of the Board of Directors made in the majority of the attending members on a proposal from the scientific advice sitting in formation restricted with the people who are entitled to direct research tasks in the establishment, catch in the majority absolute of the members composing this formation. The professor emeritus can direct seminars, theses and take part in jurys of thesis or enabling.

The benefit of the provision was extended thereafter by article 7 of the law n° 99-587 of July 12th, 1999 on the innovation and research to the whole of the bodies compared to the professors of the universities for the elections to the National council of the universities. Moreover, of the similar provisions exist with regard to the teachers and the researchers concerned with other government departments that Education national: professors of agricultural higher education, research directors of the scientific and technological public corporations, charged with research and research directors with the National school with the Highways Departments and the National school with public works with the State.

In the United States

In the university system North-American and anglophone countries, a professor emeritus is a Professor which took a partial retirement. Usually, this title is reached at the age of more than 70 years. A professor emeritus is not held any more of the usual loads of a professor, such teaching, but can also maintain some. He can receive in Pension of retirement a great part of his wages, considering its statute of tenured (English for Full professor) is valid with life.

In certain universities, this title included of the positions with less advantages. Sometimes, one finds the title of associated professor emeritus . Other times, the éméritat are prone to an act or a vote.