How to Become a College Professor

Complete your compulsory education. In the United States, this is finishing 12th grade and obtaining a high school diploma, or receiving a General Equivalency Diploma (GED). Strive to attend the most academically rigorous college/university you can. It doesn't have to be an Ivy League school, but following the advice in How to Get Into an Ivy League School will help you get into any institution. Get a bachelor's degree in the discipline you'd like to teach. Follow the steps in How to Prepare for a PhD as an Undergraduate. Do your best to maintain high grades to qualify for honors programs and to graduate at the top of your class. Universities want to hire professors who love learning, the educational environment, and who excelled at school themselves. Apply for Ph.D. programs. If you want to teach in a two year college, you will need a master's degree (and often a Ph.D.) in the subject you want to teach. If you want to teach at a university (four year institution), you definitely need a terminal degree in that discipline, usually the doctorate.

Belinda

If you want to become a university professor, will you need to be highly dedicated to academics, as this competitive and lucrative field is reserved for those who can demonstrate academic achievement at all levels.

Below we've outlined what you'll need to succeed in a career as a university professor. We've also included helpful information for a university professor career, such as job description, job duties, salary expectations, career advancement information and much more!

Tawatchai003