How do I become a professor political science?

Question

Do I need a PHD in Poli Sci? A masters? A masters in education?

I currently have a BA in poli-sci. I graduated college in May 06 and currently work in the private sector.

Answer 1

You need a PhD.

You should get it at the best university that you can get into. You also need to be willing to spend most of your time on research and be able to publish your research. Research is much more important than teaching ability in getting a job as a professor.

Answer 2

I have had some lecturer's who don't have masters degrees or PhD's - rather they are well known within the community and have established themselves as a professional and posess a lot of knowledge in the area they will be teaching. This is particularly evident with the younger (aged 35 - 45) professor's and associate professor's.

However having said that, some uni's/colleges may require post-graduate study as a pre-requisite to employment. It is unlikely that a BA alone would qualify you. Many tutors at my university as well as Associate Professor's are undertaking further study as they teach - this may be an option.

Finally teaching skills are important obviously. Although in Australia lecturers do not have to hold any education qualifications, I have found that the best professor's have often undertaken some form of training - most often a one-year graduate diploma in teaching - I suppose this would also give them an edge over other potential candidates.

Good luck!

Answer 3

toburn, to teach political science, you may only need a master's degree, depending on where you teach. That could be sufficient for community colleges or some small schools, but it's usually not enough for bigger or better colleges and universities.

To get on the tenure track from assistant to associate to full professor, yes, you need a PhD.

You do not need education courses to teach at a college level, although they won't hurt and might improve your classroom performance. Consider auditing or taking them as electives.

Edit: I second Taranto, that once you're on the faculty, publishing is more important than teaching well.

Answer 4

To teach part time, you will need a minimum of a Masters degree. To become faculty, you will need a doctorate and plenty of published research and other "scholarly activities"