What type of Masters do I need to become an online professor?

Question

What type of degree does one need to teach online classes. I know that a Masters is a minimum but are there any recommendations as to what the Masters should be in? Thanks

Answer 1

Definitely not the MEd or MAT unless you want to teach in the education department.

It depends on the level and subject that you want to teach. The absolute minimum is going to be 'a master's degree in any field with at least 18 graduate hours in the subject' you want to teach. Most schools will prefer a master's degree in the subject and many will prefer a doctorate in the subject.

University of Phoenix requires a master's in the subject (or closely related field) with the last five years work experience in that field as a minimum for their entry instructors online.

The competition for these jobs (online or traditional) is very steep. There are plenty of people with a PhD and/or teaching experiences applying for most positions. You are best serve by getting the highest degree you can in your specialty, getting published, and getting some teaching experience.

Looking at the help wanted ads at the Chronicle of Higher Education will show you exactly what colleges are requiring of their faculty right now. http://chronicle.com/jobs/

Answer 2

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RE:
What type of Masters do I need to become an online professor?
What type of degree does one need to teach online classes. I know that a Masters is a minimum but are there any recommendations as to what the Masters should be in? Thanks

Answer 3

Sorry Suburbcat, you do not need a Masters in Education to be an online professor. You need a Masters in the subject area you want to teach. So, if you want to be an online instructor in math, your MS should be in math. Same with any other area, although it is possible to have a related Masters along with significant work experience. For example, you might have a Masters in Psychology, 10 years work experience in advertising and then teach a marketing class.

Answer 4

If you are going to teach at a for-profit, like the University of Phoenix, you need at least a master's, and probably some significant work experience, in the field in which you are teaching. You would be an instructor, not a professor. If, instead, you are talking about teaching online courses at a traditional university, unless you are teaching something like art, you would probably need a doctorate.

Answer 5

A professor at the collegiate level must have a master's in education with emphasis in whatever subject you want to teach in. A doctorate is nice; however, it's only necessary if you want to be tenured. If you want to teach online at the collegiate level through an accredited college, the requirements should be the same. If it's not an accredited college or you want to teach at the secondary level, a bachelor's should suffice, but you should ask the HR rep to be sure.

Answer 6

Education and a subject such as sociology