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Education · Teaching, Training & Facilitation

Professor or postsecondary teacher: Ph.D. route, master's for community colleges

Four-year colleges and universities typically hire professors with a Ph.D. in their field; a master's may be enough at some community colleges, and some fields value work experience instead.

For: People who love one subject deeply, enjoy research and want to teach adults.

See the roadmap Professor & Postsecondary Teacher guide

Route 1: Bachelor's → Ph.D. → (post-doc) → assistant professor → tenure 4-year colleges

Postsecondary teachers at 4-year colleges and universities typically need a Ph.D. or other doctorate in their field.

  1. Start here

    Bachelor's (or master's) degree

    BLS
    Postsecondary Teachers — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)
    Checked
    20 Oct 2026
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  2. Several years

    Ph.D. with a dissertation

    Original research defended before experts; many students teach classes as graduate teaching assistants.

    BLS
    Postsecondary Teachers — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)
    Checked
    20 Oct 2026
    View source

  3. 2 to 3 years

    Post-doc, in some fields

    Common in biological science, physics and chemistry.

    BLS
    Postsecondary Teachers — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)
    Checked
    20 Oct 2026
    View source

  4. Up to 7 years

    Assistant professor → associate professor

    Tenure is decided on research, teaching and contribution to the institution.

    BLS
    Postsecondary Teachers — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)
    Checked
    20 Oct 2026
    View source

  5. Goal

    Professor with tenure

    Some go on to dean or president.

    BLS
    Postsecondary Teachers — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)
    Checked
    20 Oct 2026
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Route 2: Master's → community college teaching Some colleges

Community colleges may hire those with a master's degree, though some prefer a Ph.D.

  1. Start here

    Bachelor's degree

    BLS
    Postsecondary Teachers — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)
    Checked
    20 Oct 2026
    View source

  2. 1 to 2 years

    Master's in the subject

    BLS
    Postsecondary Teachers — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)
    Checked
    20 Oct 2026
    View source

  3. Goal

    Community college instructor

    BLS
    Postsecondary Teachers — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)
    Checked
    20 Oct 2026
    View source

Route 3: Work in the field → teach it Health, art, law, education

In some fields hands-on work experience is especially important, and a teacher may need the same license as the job, for example a nursing license to teach nursing.

  1. Start here

    Degree and license in the field

    BLS
    Postsecondary Teachers — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)
    Checked
    20 Oct 2026
    View source

  2. Years

    Work in the occupation

    BLS
    Postsecondary Teachers — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)
    Checked
    20 Oct 2026
    View source

  3. Goal

    Postsecondary teacher, full or part time

    BLS
    Postsecondary Teachers — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)
    Checked
    20 Oct 2026
    View source

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Back to the full Professor & Postsecondary Teacher guide

What the job is, BLS pay and job outlook, and how to become one.

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Every step links to the official page it came from (regulators, licensing boards, the law), checked 20 Oct 2026. State and city licensing rules change: confirm with the board where you will work before you pay any fee. Education Margdarshan does not recommend paid courses. All careers →