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What is a political science instructor and how to become one
A political science instructor does more than teaching undergraduate and graduate classes. They also do huge amounts of research and turn in papers and books for publication. Some of their most essential subjects are classic political thought, public policies, democracy and citizenship, and international relations.
Universities and colleges have different requirements for a political science instructor. Some will require them to acquire a graduate degree in political science, while others will require a Ph.D. These qualifications are needed to establish a political science instructor's expertise in their field. A political science instructor needs excellent communication skills to be able to conduct class lectures, strong research skills, and interpersonal skills.
A typical day of a political science instructor includes facilitating classroom discussions, grading papers and assignments, planning and revising course curricula, and conducting research. To be able to advance in their career, a political science instructor has to publish a significant amount of scholarly papers, attend conferences related to their field, and keep up with the developments in the political science arena.
What general advice would you give to a political science instructor?
David McMahan Ph.D.
Charles A. Dana Professor of Religious Studies, Franklin and Marshall College
Avg. Salary $56,669
Avg. Salary $59,228
Growth rate 12%
Growth rate 0.3%
American Indian and Alaska Native 0.28%
Asian 12.84%
Black or African American 7.07%
Hispanic or Latino 10.07%
Unknown 4.92%
White 64.82%
Genderfemale 40.63%
male 59.38%
Age - 46American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%
Asian 7.00%
Black or African American 14.00%
Hispanic or Latino 19.00%
White 57.00%
Genderfemale 47.00%
male 53.00%
Age - 46Stress level is manageable
7.1 - high
Complexity level is advanced
7 - challenging
Work life balance is good
6.4 - fair
Political science instructor career paths
Key steps to become a political science instructor
Explore political science instructor education requirements
Start to develop specific political science instructor skills
Skills Percentages International Relations 19.13% Syllabus 10.26% Comparative Politics 10.06% Public Policy 9.98% Public Administration 7.44% Research political science instructor duties and responsibilities
- Update and follow approved course syllabus.
- Develop course work programs adopt by HCC student handbook.
- Develop syllabus, teach all areas of political science, create tests and homework assignments, grading, etc.
- Publish an article on legal reform in Kazakhstan analyzing legal aspects of the foreign investment climate in the country.
Prepare your political science instructor resume
When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your political science instructor resume.
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Apply for political science instructor jobs
Now it's time to start searching for a political science instructor job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:
- Browse job boards for relevant postings
- Consult your professional network
- Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
- Watch out for job scams
How did you land your first political science instructor job
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Average political science instructor salary
The average political science instructor salary in the United States is $56,669 per year or $27 per hour. Political science instructor salaries range between $35,000 and $89,000 per year.
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Updated January 8, 2025
