10 Simple Steps to Become a College Professor

Do you love leading, teaching, and engaging in discussions on your favorite topics? Would you consider yourself a lifetime learner? If so, then becoming a college professor might be an excellent career choice for you.

College professors are postsecondary academic instructors who are experts in their subject or field. They typically hold the highest-ranking instructional position at a university or college and teach a wide variety of students. Professors often work in a broad range of environments, from large, nationally-recognized universities to small, private institutions. Currently, the median salary for a college professor is $80,840 per year, with an expected job growth of 8% over the next 10 years. Since students are expected to continue to pursue advanced degrees, postsecondary teachers will always be in demand.  

The day-to-day responsibilities of a college professor can vary from field to field, but a general overview looks something like the following:  

Teaching lessons: A large majority of most college professors’ time is devoted to teaching courses. Depending on their field of expertise, they might instruct in a variety of subjects. For example, an instructor in an English department can teach courses on writing, journalism, literary criticism, or poetry. 

Helping learners: The heart of teaching is helping others learn. College professors guide students in improving their knowledge and skills as they work toward earning a degree or certification. Professors also help learners by assessing their progress with papers, tests, projects, and one-on-one tutoring. 

Designing curriculum: Professors use their expert knowledge to write assignments and design curricula. They often take into consideration their students’ various learning styles and needs while developing their course outlines or syllabi from semester to semester.  

Researching subjects: Remaining a constant learner is important for college professors. They do this by researching, writing articles for academic journals, writing books, attending conferences, and remaining current on the innovations and ideas in their field. 

Supervising students: College professors often serve as advisors to students eager to learn from them. At the graduate-school level, this mentor-mentee relationship is an important experience for students, particularly those hoping to earn doctoral degrees. 

Serving in administrative roles: Many institutions rely on individual departments to make hiring recommendations and review policies. Professors, especially those who are employed full-time, are often expected to serve on their department’s committees as part of their contractual duties.

It’s not uncommon to hear people use the terms “teacher” or “professor” interchangeably, but there is a distinct difference between teachers and professors. Simply put, a teacher teaches younger learners, ranging in age from elementary to high school, while a professor instructs students at the postsecondary level. Typically, professors are the highest level of educators and specialists in their academic subject or field. While both a teacher and a professor are trained professionals, a college professor’s journey requires more steps and academic requirements.

Most four-year colleges and universities require a professor to have a Ph.D. in their field, while some part-time positions or community and vocational colleges require only a master’s degree. You should expect at least six to nine years of academic work after high school to complete the steps to becoming a college professor. It’s important to keep the following aspects in mind at each step of your journey:  

High School 

Step 1: Get Good Grades and Standardized Test Scores 

High school transcripts and placement tests will make a difference when you’re applying for scholarships and admissions. Make sure you focus on getting good grades and placing well on your standardized test for guaranteed success. 

Step 2: Prepare for College 

It’s important to start thinking about college applications as early as your junior year of high school. Since many colleges and universities limit the number of new students each semester, you want to make sure to submit your college applications early. WGU does not limit the number of students accepted, and students can start on the first of every month. 

Bachelor’s Degree 

Step 3: Earn a Degree in Your Chosen Teaching Field 

Your specialty as a professor begins at the bachelor’s level, so it’s important to think about the subject or field you’re most interested in. For example, if you want to eventually be a professor of poetry, then majoring in English will provide you with a strong foundation in the field. 

Step 4: Perform Well and Cultivate Relationships 

Maintaining strong grades while earning a bachelor’s degree can be a challenge, but those grades will set you up for scholarships or grants when applying to graduate school. The strong relationships you make with your undergraduate professors are also important when considering references or internship opportunities. 

Step 5: Take the GRE and Apply for Graduate School 

The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is a standardized test that many colleges or universities require for admission into graduate programs. You’ll want to determine if an institution requires a specific GRE grade and apply for graduate school at least six months in advance of the fall semester. Conveniently, WGU does not require the GRE for admission into its graduate programs, and since coursework is solely online, students can work on a schedule that best fits their lives.

Master’s Degree 

Step 6: Have Excellent Grades and a Strong Thesis 

Keeping strong grades while in your graduate program is very important. Many graduate programs require students to maintain a 3.0 average GPA to stay in good academic standing. In addition, most programs require a master’s thesis (a long-format academic paper) to be completed as the last step in obtaining the degree. Similarly, WGU’s competency-based education focuses on a capstone project, which many students find more applicable to their career field. 

Step 7: Become a TA for Practical Experience 

Gaining classroom experience as a teaching assistant (TA) or instructional student assistant (ISA) will help you understand the daily responsibilities of lecturing, grading, and time management as a professor. The more time you spend in the classroom as a TA, the more confident you can feel in facilitating student learners.  

Doctoral Degree 

Step 8: Build Relationships and Write a Winning Dissertation 

The priority of your doctoral program is centered on developing your knowledge in your field, building relationships, and researching and writing your dissertation (a more in-depth version of a thesis). The dissertation will become the foundation for how you position yourself in seeking and competing for employment after your doctoral program.  

Step 9: Apply for Post-Doctoral Positions 

While at the end of your doctoral program, you’ll want to begin to apply for teaching positions at colleges or universities of your choice. Many professors start as adjunct or contract-based professors to gain experience before being hired full-time within a department. 

Post-Doctorate 

Step 10: Continue Applying and Accept an Offer 

As faculty positions in higher education are highly prized, you should expect it to take some time before receiving an offer. It’s always good to continue to deepen your teaching experience as an adjunct professor or guest lecturer while going through the interview cycle. 

The job market for college professors can be very competitive, especially for highly specialized fields, which is why you want to seriously consider your degree, school, research, and professional development when building your résumé.

 Important résumé features to highlight include:

• Research: A professor who is actively conducting relevant and dynamic research in their field is going to be more appealing as a new hire for colleges and universities. For instance, many institutions are eager to welcome a professor into their department whose research can bring their institution recognition and funding.
• Publications: Actively publishing is an important part of being an academic. For a potential hire, being able to see your work in publication garners respect in the academic community and places you at a unique advantage.
• Teaching experience: Having teaching experience will set you apart in the hiring process. Many colleges and universities want to have confidence in your ability to lead the next generation of thinkers and creators, and working as a private tutor, TA or adjunct professor helps to reinforce that.
• Education: For many employers, the accomplishment of earning a master’s or Ph.D. becomes the most important factor in a hiring decision. Students who choose WGU as a part of their process of becoming a professor will find themselves prepared to excel as leaders in their field and higher education as a whole. 

Earning a degree from WGU can be a vital step toward achieving your dream of becoming a college professor. Not only does WGU offer a variety of degree programs in education, but we also provide flexible options for working professionals looking to further their education. With personalized support and a competency-based learning model, WGU equips students with the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in academia. Additionally, WGU graduates have a reputation for being innovative and adaptable leaders in the field, making them highly desirable candidates for teaching positions at higher education institutions. Whether you are just starting your journey or looking to take the next step in your academic career, a degree from WGU can provide the foundation you need to achieve your goals.