How to Become a College Professor | Step-by-Step Guide
Teaching is a well-known and most suited profession around the world. For those who enjoy teaching, research, and sharing knowledge, being a college professor is a respected and fulfilling professional option.
Choosing teaching as a profession can be the best choice for those who enjoy sharing their skills and knowledge with others. College instructors have a significant impact on students’ futures, the creation of novel concepts through research, and the advancement of society.
But many graduates and students are unsure of where to begin and what credentials are required.
In this guide, we will help you through every step of the process of becoming a college professor, from selecting the appropriate field and degree to acquiring teaching experience and getting your first employment at a university or college.
Key Takeaways
- It usually takes 7-10 years or longer to become a professor, including finishing a dissertation, pursuing a Ph.D., and negotiating a competitive academic job market.
- With a predicted 7% job surge through 2034 and a median yearly pay of $83,980, professors are in higher demand in STEM, health sciences, and business sectors.
- Permanent positions are becoming fewer in number; many faculty members start out as lecturers or adjuncts and may also work in industry, nonprofit organizations, or research.
What Does a College Professor Do?
Being a college professor is actually a very responsible job; professors have a huge impact on the lives of students, and educating them rightly is a big responsibility.
- Create lesson plans, assignments, and exams.
- Teach lectures and guide discussions.
- Engages students in all activities.
- Conduct research and publish papers (mainly in universities).
- Supervise thesis and research projects.
- Mentor students academically and professionally.
- Attend meetings and contribute to department activities.
- Participate in conferences, seminars, and workshops.
How to Become a Professor: A 6 Step Guide
Step 1: Choose the Right Degree
It is the first piece of advice to students to choose the right degree, which means selecting a degree according to their interests. Get a basic knowledge of all fields, then choose the right one that suits you the most and meets your career goals.
To become a college professor, you must hold a bachelor’s degree. Becholr’s degree is base of getting into the teaching profession.
Common Fields include:
- Business and Management
- Computer Science / IT
- Psychology
- English Literature
- Mathematics
- Engineering
- Medicine and Health Sciences
- Law and Political Science
- Education and Social Sciences
Step 2: Complete a Bachelor’s Degree
Completing your program is necessary. It is also important that you have earned your degree with good grades and a good GPA. This is the foundation of your academic career.
Step 3: Earn a Master’s Degree
The very next step is to pursue and obtain your master’s degree. Holding a master’s degree is quite common in many countries, and is mandatory if you want to teach at the college level.
Step 4: Pass the Comprehensive Test
Once you have completed your degree, the next step is to qualify in competitive exam to become a professor. Comprehensive exams, sometimes known as general exams, and doctoral exam, they test your knowledge to determine whether you are eligible for the post.
The format varies depending on the discipline. In history, for example, doctoral students may complete written and oral exams in their primary research area. Other disciplines may require a portfolio, a research paper, or an oral defense.
Students are guided to study hard and grasp the required knowledge to qualify for this exam. After qualifying these exams, you complete a dissertation prospectus. In this prospectus, you propose a dissertation topic in which you have done research it include, research questions and a bibliography. You also put together a faculty dissertation committee to evaluate the prospectus.
Step 5: Write a Dissertation
A dissertation is typically required to obtain a Ph.D. (however, in certain situations, a practicum may be completed instead). Depending on the field, these documents are usually between 200 and 300 pages long. Dissertations in technical subjects might be as short as fifty pages. A dissertation is a unique addition to the body of knowledge in one’s profession and a testament to a student’s capacity for producing scholarship and conducting research at the university level.
You do research in your field before writing the dissertation. Depending on the field, this could entail conducting surveys, building databases, and performing archival research.
After that, you have to defend your dissertation in front of your dissertation committee, which is frequently accessible to the entire university community.
Step 6: Apply for a Job
After doing all procedures, and your education and experience are strong, you can start applying for academic positions.
Where to Apply
- Colleges
- Universities
- Government institutions
- Private universities.
- Online universities and distance learning programs.
Benefits of Becoming a College Professor
There are numerous benefits to teaching at the college level, including:
1. Respect and acknowledgment in the community
2. A steady and competent career
3. Possibilities to mentor upcoming leaders
4. An atmosphere for research and education
5. Schedule flexibility, in contrast to certain corporate positions
6. Opportunities to travel for academic gatherings and conferences
Final Thoughts
Being in the teaching field is actually fun. It can be a source of productive knowledge. You have the chance to mentor pupils, impart your knowledge, and positively influence society in this line of work. The rewards are genuinely significant, even though the process may take several years and calls for commitment, perseverance, and hard work.
Working as a professor allows you to advance both academically and personally, regardless of your objectives, teaching, research, or mentoring young professionals. Your network grows when you start teaching different people and in turn new opportunities unlocked for you.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What qualifications do I need to become a college professor?
To become a college professor, you usually need at least a master’s degree. For university-level professor posts, a PhD is often required.
2. Can I become a professor without a PhD?
Yes, in many colleges you can teach as a professor with a master’s or MPhil.
3. How many years does it take to become a professor?
It can take around 6 to 12 years, depending on how far you study. A bachelor’s plus master’s may take 5–6 years, while a PhD can add 3–6 more years.
