What degree do you need to be a college professor?

Question

Zippia Team · Accepted Answer

To be a college professor, you generally need a doctorate degree in the field in which you teach. Professors will begin their schooling by first gaining a bachelor's degree, and then continuing on through a master's program and finally a doctorate program. If you seek employment at a junior college, you may only need to hold a master's degree.

The specific subject of the degree you obtain will depend entirely on which field you would like to go into. If you are unsure, undergraduate classes will hopefully push you in the right direction. Many professors are specialized within their fields, such as an Electrical Engineering professor who focuses mostly on circuit design.

Often, becoming a professor can be incredibly competitive. You need to excel in your field and need to have published research. It is not uncommon for professors to have 10 years of research experience before teaching, so many will work other, related jobs to help them boost their resumes before applying for a university position.