Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Visiting professor education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a visiting professor. Visiting professors usually study nursing, business, or english. 42% of visiting professors hold a bachelor's degree, and 30% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 2,749 real visiting professor resumes to see exactly what visiting professor education sections show.
The most common colleges for visiting professors are the New York University and the New York University.
There are also many online visiting professor courses to help get the education required to be a visiting professor.
What education do you need to become a visiting professor?
What degree do you need to be a visiting professor?
- Bachelor's, 42%
- Master's, 30%
- Doctorate, 23%
- Associate, 3%
- Other Degrees, 2%
What should I major in to become a visiting professor?
- Nursing, 13%
- Business, 9%
- English, 7%
- Psychology, 6%
- Other Majors, 65%
Most common colleges for visiting professors
| Visiting professor common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| New York University | 8.27% |
| University of Phoenix | 7.55% |
| Florida State University | 6.83% |
| University of Florida | 6.47% |
| Ohio State University | 5.76% |
Best majors for visiting professors
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nursing | 13.0% |
| 2 | Business | 9.0% |
| 3 | English | 7.1% |
| 4 | Psychology | 6.1% |
| 5 | Chemistry | 6.0% |
Best colleges for visiting professors
The best colleges for visiting professors are Northwestern University, Columbia University in the City of New York, and Duke University.
A visiting professor with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for visiting professors. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become visiting professors.
1. University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX • Private
In-state tuition
$10,610
Enrollment
40,329
2. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$55,695
Enrollment
6,596
3. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI • Private
In-state tuition
$15,262
Enrollment
30,079
4. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
5. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
6. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
7. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$59,430
Enrollment
8,216
8. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$50,420
Enrollment
7,582
9. Cornell University
Ithaca, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$55,188
Enrollment
15,105
10. Pennsylvania State University
University Park, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$18,454
Enrollment
40,108
20 best online courses for visiting professors
Advertising disclosure
1. Psychological Research
This specialization is primarily aimed at first- and second-year undergraduates interested in psychology, data analysis, ethics in research, and quantitative research methods along with high school students and professionals with similar interests.\n\nLearners will develop knowledge about the fundamentals of research design for quantitative studies in psychology, analysis of data from quantitative studies in psychology, and ethical standards for conducting psychological research. Learning...
2. Introduction to Economic Theories
Wondering why economists have not predicted serious financial crises? Shocked by economic assumptions of human behavior as self-centered and focusing only on what can be measured? Asking yourself if there are no sensible economic alternatives to free markets? Then you are at the right place to learn economics! This is the first online course that teaches economics from a pluralist perspective. Economic pluralism means that a plurality of theoretical and methodological viewpoints is regarded as...
3. Introduction to Behavioral Economics & Consumer Psychology
Learn how to apply some of the most powerful principles from consumer psychology to increase conversions...
4. Business Ethics: How to Create an Ethical Organization
Learn the 90 best practices for how to design ethical businesses and manage ethical organizations of high integrity...
5. Customer Centricity with Professor Jagdish Sheth
This is a master class in Customer Centricity. Professor Jagdish Sheth, 2020 Padma Bhushan Award winner for Literature and Education, guides you through proven strategies and practical steps for implementing customer centricity practices into your business. Professor Sheth shares wisdom and insight from decades of experience, years of research, and recommendations from multiple senior industry leaders to help grow your business and cut costs by keeping the customers you have by creating a...
6. Social Psychology
Ever wonder why people do what they do? This course—which includes more than $1,000 of video and reading materials—offers some answers based on the latest research from social psychology. Students taking the course for a Certificate will also receive free membership in Social Psychology Network (SocialPsychology.org). COURSE DESCRIPTION FROM PROFESSOR PLOUS: Each of us is dealt a different hand in life, but we all face similar questions when it comes to human behavior: What leads us to like one...
7. Introduction to Moral Philosophy
Ethics! Normative, applied and meta...
8. Organic Chemistry: Spectroscopy Master Class
Gain confidence in NMR (1H and 13C), IR, and MS with guided practice problems...
9. Welcome to Game Theory
This course provides a brief introduction to game theory. Our main goal is to understand the basic ideas behind the key concepts in game theory, such as equilibrium, rationality, and cooperation. The course uses very little mathematics, and it is ideal for those who are looking for a conceptual introduction to game theory. Business competition, political campaigns, the struggle for existence by animals and plants, and so on, can all be regarded as a kind of “game,” in which individuals try to...
10. Chemical Biology
Chemical biology is a burgeoning field that has rapidly risen to prominence. This surge of interest has been fuelled by chemical biology’s applicability to understanding critical processes in live cells or model organisms in real time. This success has arisen because chemical biology straddles a nexus between chemistry, biology, and physics. Thus, chemical biology can harness rapid chemistry to observe or perturb biological processes, that are in turn reported using physical assays, all in an...
11. General Biology I: Foundations of Biology
An essential course in Biology for students of all ages...
12. Economics Decoded: 10 Essential Principles Shaping Our World
Master the application of 10 core economics principles to make informed decisions in both professional and personal life...
13. Introduction to Self-Determination Theory: An approach to motivation, development and wellness
Self-determination theory (SDT) is an empirically based theory of motivation and psychological development that is especially focused on the basic psychological needs that promote high quality motivation and wellness, and how they are supported in social contexts. SDT details how the styles and strategies of motivators such as parents, teachers, coaches, managers, and health-care professionals can promote or undermine engagement and the positive consequences that follow from it. In this course,...
14. Spanish Vocabulary Project
In this course, we'll imagine that you are applying for an all-expenses paid, educational trip to a Spanish-speaking nation of your choice. You'll introduce yourself to a host family that you'll be staying with, research the rich culture and history of the place you intend to visit and compare it with your own country, and plan out an itinerary of places you plan to see, and things you plan to do and experience while visiting. In addition, you'll summarize the key points of your written report...
15. Introduction to Cheminformatics and medicinal chemistry
Understand the underlying chemistry of drug development and use free softwares to analyze molecules...
16. Research Methods For Business Students
A-Z guide to writing a rockstar Research Paper with a bulletproof Research Methodology!...
17. Classical Sociological Theory
This Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) will offer the participants an introduction into the most important classical sociological readings between the 18th and 20th century. Highly influential social science scholars, such as Karl Marx, Max Weber and Emile Durkheim, will be discussed during 8 sessions. Combined with small tests, based on the video’s and recommended readings, the participants will be encouraged to dive deeply into the complex texts and get familiar with classical sociological...
18. Chemistry 101 - Part 1 Principles of Chemistry
An introductory course for anybody who wants to study chemistry - either towards future pathways or just for fun!...
19. Dr. K's Complete First Semester General Chemistry I Course
A Course to Prepare You for College Level General Chemistry...
20. Learn Bioinformatics From Scratch (Theory & Practical)
Best Bioinformatics course for Students, Academia and Industry Professionals to learn Bioinformatics and biological data...
Top 10 most affordable universities for visiting professors
The most affordable schools for visiting professors are University of Florida, hunter college of the city university of new york, and california state university - long beach.
If the best universities for visiting professors are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for visiting professors.
1. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
2. Hunter College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,182
Cost of attendance
13,998
3. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
4. Lehman College of the City University of New York
Bronx, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,210
Cost of attendance
14,359
5. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Cost of attendance
21,623
6. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York
Brooklyn, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,240
Cost of attendance
13,991
7. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
8. City College of New York of the City University of New York, The
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,140
Cost of attendance
14,430
9. University of South Florida
Tampa, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,410
Cost of attendance
20,456
10. California State University - Fullerton
Fullerton, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,886
Cost of attendance
17,645
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for visiting professors
The hardest universities for visiting professors to get into are Northwestern University, Columbia University in the City of New York, and Duke University.
Some great schools for visiting professors are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for visiting professors based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.
1. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
2. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,512
3. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
Admissions rate
9%
SAT average
1,516
4. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
5. Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
17%
SAT average
1,507
6. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
7. Cornell University
Ithaca, NY • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,471
8. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
Admissions rate
5%
SAT average
1,520
9. New York University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
20%
SAT average
1,419
10. Yale University
New Haven, CT • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,517
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for visiting professors
The easiest schools for visiting professors to get into are Mount Saint Mary's University, wayland baptist university, and barry university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a visiting professor without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for visiting professors.
1. Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,031
2. Wayland Baptist University
Plainview, TX • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
1,003
3. Barry University
Miami, FL • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,006
4. Notre Dame College
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
994
5. University of the Incarnate Word
San Antonio, TX • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,044
6. Cardinal Stritch University
Milwaukee, WI • Private
Admissions rate
71%
SAT average
1,035
7. Kean University
Union, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
86%
SAT average
991
8. Bluefield College
Bluefield, VA • Private
Admissions rate
95%
SAT average
980
9. Centenary University
Hackettstown, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
67%
SAT average
987
10. Texas Woman's University
Denton, TX • Private
Admissions rate
87%
SAT average
1,059
Average visiting professor salary by education level
| Visiting professor education level | Visiting professor salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $106,641 |
| Doctorate Degree | $146,890 |
Visiting professor education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common education, training, and library questions.
Search for visiting professor jobs
Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025