Requirements to Become a College Professor

People who enter the education field as a primary or secondary public school teacher must first go through the hoops and develop a certain competency level in education. They pass several education classes, do practice teaching, and pass at least one standardized teaching examination. However, the only requirement to become a college professor is to obtain a post-graduate degree. This does not necessarily even have to be a doctoral-level degree. Many professors have a masters degree in their field.

Many schools now certify their professors to teach courses due to accreditation requirements. The minimum requirement to teach a course is a masters degree and 18 related graduate credit hours. It is interesting that the masters degree can be in a different field as long as there are a minimum of 18 related graduate credit hours.

The level of education required for a professor varies on the type of college. Most major universities and four-year institutions require or at least prefer terminal degrees for their full-time faculty. They may hire well-established professionals who hold a masters degree as adjunct professors but this is usually predicated on need. However, most community colleges and for-profit colleges and universities are willing to hire masters-level professors for full-time positions.

Although an advanced degree is the only requirement to become a college professor, there are other skills and considerations that will dictate your ability to be successful. Organizational skills are important because a lecture must be organized and structured so that there is an understandable flow of information from the mentor to the class. Also, a current knowledge in your subject is imperative.

It is important to have, or be able to develop, good public speaking skills. Since lectures are the primary way to transfer your knowledge to a class of students, you must be effective with this skill. An effective speaker not only has a great depth and breadth of knowledge of the course material, they must also be passionate about the subject. This excitement is transmitted to the class who become stimulated. This higher level of interest results in a greater mastery of the subject material. Accents are fine as long the class can understand what you are saying. If they cannot understand the professor students become disgruntled and demoralized. The learning process is compromised.

Unfortunately, there are many problems that can stop you from being successful starting out as a professor and barriers that can prevent you from making a steady significant income. Fortunately, there is help for those who are serious about breaking-in and earning big money as a part-time professor teaching both online and onground.