What degree do I need to become a college professor?

Question

I'm studying to become a History Professsor. I'll be graduating in a year from college with a major in History and minors in Political Science and Humanities.

I know I need to go on to grad school to be a college professor, but how high a degree do I need to earn? Is it different for 2 year schools and 4 year universities? What about public and private colleges?

Answer 1

In the field of history, you will need a Ph.D. A Ph.D. involves - at minimum - 2 years of coursework, a year or so of languages and comprehensive exams, a year or so of research and writing a dissertation.

In order to be hired and promoted within the history department at a 4 year college of any kind (public or private), a Ph.D. is necessary. Community colleges used to hire folks with Master's degrees alone, but this is rare today. Even if one is hired at a community college with only a Master's degree, it is generally only as an adjunct, or as a visiting instructor. In order to be retained, and eventually achieve tenure, a Ph.D. will be necessary.

(In other fields, such as English composition, art, film, etc., sometimes a Master's degree - MFA or MA will suffice. But not in history.)

Answer 2

To be a history professor, you should get your degree in history.

At the community college level, most will hire professionals with a masters degree in the subject (history) or with a masters degree in another subject but at least 18 credit hours in the the subject you wish to teach (history).

To work at a 4 year college/university, most require a PhD in the subject (history).

Of course there are always exception, there are some community colleges that only want PhD and there are some (not many) 4 year universities that will accept the masters level.

There usually isn't much variation on these requirement when looking at public or private colleges.

Below are links to job searches for history professors to give you an idea of what schools are looking for.

Answer 3

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RE:
What degree do I need to become a college professor?
I'm studying to become a History Professsor. I'll be graduating in a year from college with a major in History and minors in Political Science and Humanities.

I know I need to go on to grad school to be a college professor, but how high a degree do I need to earn? Is it different for 2...

Answer 4

If you want to teach History at a college or university, you will need to get your Bachelor's Degree in History, then go on to grad school.

You will need a Master's Degree in History. You should probably write a Thesis. Why? Because you will also need a PhD in was the discussion leader for a history survey clHistory in order to be a college professor. The Thesis is often the basis for your Dissertation.

If you want to teach at a 2 year college, often a Master's Degree is required. You may not get paid as much.

Both public and private colleges require a PhD for a 4 year college.

In addition to the PhD, you will need a record of publishing- articles or books in your field.

You may want to talk about this with some of your own college profs and see what they say. They are actually in the field and are your best resources!

Good luck! History was one of my favorite subjects in college!
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Answer 5

I've been to both community college and a 4 year and I remember that most of my professors at the community college had only master's degrees while most of those at the 4 year had PhDs. I went to public school so I'd imagine that in private schools it depends on the schools -- I would guess the better the private school, the more likely they'd want you to have a PhD.

Answer 6

Community Colleges, Trade Schools, etc require only a BA, but prefer a masters or PHD, I believe most university will only accept masters with the individual willing to work towards the PHD or someone who already has a PHD.

Answer 7

I believe you need at least a master's in the subject you want to teach.

Answer 8

I'm not in college but, heres what i think.

-Get a Master Degree
-Go to a University
-Talk to your consular for more advice or help

Answer 9

You must have master degree