How many years and what kind of schooling do I have to do to be a college professor?

Question

I want to teach undergraduate school...science (chemistry, biology) preferably. I'm a freshman in college majoring in biology.

How many years does it take? What courses should I take?

Any other info that would help...

THANKS ;)

Answer 1

To teach at a community college, you need at least a masters degree in the field (6-7 years of college, depending on whether or not you do a thesis - thesis isn't really necessary to teach community college).  If you want to teach at a 4-year college, you need a PhD.  That's 8 - 12 years, depending on you, your adviser, and your topic.

You don't need any specific courses or certification to teach college - getting some experience teaching while in grad school will help, but colleges and universities usually look at your research first, and then teaching ability and experience.

Answer 2

Hi there. :)

Looks like you're considering a career as a professor of science - very cool.

To teach college, you have three different "career tracks" - the community college, the University, and the "for profit school/trade school".

Community colleges require at least a master's degree in science. A Ph.D. is helpful, because these positions are competitive. That said, community colleges are more concerned with how well you teach, and are less concerned with how well you conduct research.

Universities are different in some ways than community colleges, because they prefer that you have a Ph.D. in science - you almost HAVE to have one. They are more concerned with the quality of your research than the quality of your teaching.

HOWEVER, there are some Universities out there that value your teaching - and will want you to be a good teacher - these are "teaching-centered" Universities, that want professors who have both research and teaching skills.

There is a third route you can take - the for profit trade school - which doesn't always require a master's or doctorate degree (Ph.D.), but will most certainly require a bachelor's (4 year) degree.....these schools are less stringent about your education, but this is changing...

I recommend that you get as much education as you can stand - and at least acquire a master's degree....

Here's a breakdown of time and degrees, by the way...

DEGREE                                  TIME TO COMPLETE

Bachelor's degree                       4 years (beyond high school)

Master's degree                          6 years (same)

Ph.D.                                         8 years (same)

Hope this helps - master's and Ph.D. programs will both require that you take prerequisites (different classes to qualify you for the program), and these will vary by program, and there are standardized tests as well, which you'll want to look into...

Best of luck! :)