How to Become a Post secondary Teacher in 2024
Educational requirements vary depending on the subjects taught and the type of educational institution. Typically, post secondary teachers must have a Ph.D. or other Ph.D. in the field.
However, a master’s degree may be sufficient for some post secondary teachers at community colleges. Other post secondary teachers may require work experience in their area of expertise.
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Educate
Post secondary teachers working in four-year colleges and universities often require a Ph.D. or a Ph.D. in another field. The school can employ masters or doctoral students for some professional or part-time positions.
Doctoral programs usually take several years to complete, and students typically need a bachelor’s or master’s degree to enroll.
Most doctoral programs require students to write a doctoral dissertation, a dissertation presenting original research in their field of study, which they then defend against expert questions. Candidates specialize in a sub-field, such as organic chemistry or European history.
Community colleges can hire people with a master’s degree. However, some institutions prefer applicants to have a Ph.D.
Work experience in a relevant occupation
Institutions may prefer to hire people with teaching or other work experience.
In some fields, such as the health professions, arts, law, and education, practical work experience is significant. Post secondary teachers in these fields often gain experience by pursuing careers in their field of study.
In other fields, such as biological sciences, physics, and chemistry, some post secondary teachers have post-doctoral research experience.
This experience is sometimes referred to as a “postdoc,” The work usually involves 2 to 3 years as a research assistant or similar position at a college or university.
Some post secondary teachers gain teaching experience by serving as graduate teaching assistants—students take graduate courses and teach courses at their institutions.
Licensing, Certification, and Registration
Post secondary teachers who prepare students for careers that require license, certification or registration may be required to have or may benefit from having the same accreditation.
For example, a post secondary nursing teacher may require a nursing license, or a post secondary education teacher may require a teaching license.
Progress
Post secondary teachers with Ph.D soften seek tenure—a guarantee that professors won’t be fired without cause. Tenure-track tenure can take up to 7 years to advance through positions: Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, and Professor.
The decision to award tenure is based on the candidate’s research, contributions to the institution, and teaching.
Some professors advance to senior administrative positions, such as deans or presidents. For information on deans and other executive functions, see Introduction to Post secondary Education Administrators.
For more details on the presidents of colleges and universities, see Profiles for Senior Managers.
Important qualities
Critical thinking skills. Post secondary teachers must analyze information logically to conduct original research and design experiments.
Communication ability. Post secondary teachers must collaborate with others to mentor students and serve on committees.
Resourceful. Post secondary teachers must present information in a way that students can understand. They need to accommodate students’ different learning styles and be able to use technology for lessons or assignments.
Speech ability. Post secondary teachers need good communication skills to give lectures and provide feedback to students.
They are writing skills. Post secondary teachers need strong writing skills to publish original research and analysis.
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Job prospect
Overall employment of post secondary teachers is projected to grow 12 percent from 2020 to 2030, faster than the average for all occupations.
On average, about 139,600 post secondary teacher vacancies are expected yearly over the decade. Many of these vacancies are expected to be due to the need to replace workers who move to a different occupation or exit the workforce (e.g., retire).
Employment
Expected employment for post secondary teachers varies by occupation. Both part-time and full-time post secondary teachers are included in these projections.
Over the forecast decade, the number of people attending post secondary institutions is expected to grow. Students will continue to pursue higher education to acquire the knowledge and skills needed to achieve their career goals.
As more people enter colleges and universities, more post secondary teachers will be required to serve these additional students. Colleges and universities may hire more adjunct faculty to meet this demand.
A limited number of full-time non-tenure-track and tenure-track positions are expected across all disciplines.
With the growing demand for healthcare services from an aging population, it is expected that more post secondary teachers will be needed to help educate the workers who provide these services.
However, despite projected enrollment increases, job growth at public colleges and universities will depend on state and local government budgets. If higher education budgets are reduced, job growth could be limited.
Pay
Through May 2021, the median annual salary for post secondary teachers is $79,640. The median wage is when half of the workers in an occupation are paid more than that amount, and the other half are paid less. The bottom 10% earned less than $46,690, and the top 10% earned more than $172,130.
The median annual salaries for post secondary teachers in May 2021 are as follows:
- Law Teacher, Higher Education $123,470
- Engineering teachers, higher education 104,940
- Economics teacher, higher education 104,940
- Health Professions Teachers, Higher Education 102,720
- Atmospheric, Earth, Ocean, and Space Science Teacher, Higher Education 98,070
- Faculty of Anthropology and Archaeology, Higher Education 97,340
- Agricultural Science Teacher, Higher Education 95,910
- Architecture teacher, higher education 95,160
- Business teachers, higher education 94,360
- Physics teacher, postsecondary 93,070
- Forestry and conservation science teachers, higher education 82,330
- Political Science Teacher, Higher Education 81,980
- Environmental Science Teacher, Higher Education 81,980
- Geography teacher, higher education 81,440
- Biological Sciences Teacher, Higher Education 81,440
- Faculty of Family and Consumer Sciences, Higher Education 79,630
- Chemistry teacher, higher education 79,410
- Regional, Ethnic and Cultural Studies Faculty, Higher Education 78,910
- History teacher, higher education 78,130
- Sociology teacher, higher education 77,980
- Computer Science Teacher, Higher Education 77,910
- Psychology teacher, higher education 77,860
- Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Higher Education 77,610
- Mathematical science teachers, higher education 77,580
- Communications teacher, higher education 77,560
- Social science teachers, higher education, and all other 77,500
- Nursing teachers and teachers, higher education 77,440
- Library Science Teacher, Higher Education 77,100
- Foreign Language and Literature Teacher, Junior College 77,030
- Art, drama, and music teachers, higher education 75,940
- English Language and Literature Teacher, Higher Education 75,930
- Recreation and Fitness Studies Faculty, Higher Education 72,440
- Social Work Teacher, Higher Education 71,010
- Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Faculty, Higher Education 64,600
- Education teachers, higher education 63,910
In May 2021, the median annual salaries for post secondary teachers in the top industries they work in were as follows:
- Colleges, universities, and professional schools; state $81,250
- Colleges, universities, and professional schools; private 79,820
- Junior College; Local 79,810
- Junior College; State 63,590
Salaries vary by institution type. Higher education teachers’ salaries at colleges, universities and professional schools are generally higher than those at community colleges or other schools.
Most post secondary teachers work full time, although part-time jobs are expected. Part-time post secondary teachers may provide instruction at several colleges or universities.
In addition to part-time teaching positions, some also work full-time in their area of expertise. For example, an active attorney or judge might teach evening classes at a law school.
College and university courses usually take place during the day, but some courses are offered on evenings or weekends to accommodate students with work or other obligations.
Academic calendars often include breaks, such as between semesters. The availability and type of summer programs vary by institution. While some post secondary teachers provide mentoring during summer programs, others use the time for research or professional development.
Post secondary teachers’ schedules are often flexible. Full-time faculty are usually required to teach on campus and have office hours but are free to set their schedules.
