What's the best route into a career in academia?

Question

I'm wanting to pursue a career in higher education and at the moment am thinking of becoming a philosophy lecturer. Unfortunately I have no idea how to go about doing this. I have already completed an undergraduate degree in History and got a very low 2:1. This was due to a lack of hard work, which I would hope to rectify by returning to study. I'm not sure if any philosophy MA courses would accept me. I'm thinking of doing a masters with the open university and then using this as a platform to return to full time study and do a research masters before embarking on a PhD. However I'm not really sure if this is the conventional way forward, or even if it will get me where I really want to be. Any advice would be hugely, hugely appreciated. Thank you for reading this long and cumbersome question, and in advance for replying.

Answer 1

You'll need a PhD to teach at a 4-year university, and at least a masters to teach at a community college-type institution.  

Keep in mind that there are lots of people with degrees in philosophy and not that many jobs available for them - it's a popular degree but not one you can really do much with besides teach or go into law.

Answer 2

Most universities require that you have a doctorate before you are hired, a few might hire you with a masters under the understanding that you will being going for your doctorate next while there teaching.

Out side from that what you need to do is field different universities looking to fill a position and then express your interest in the position/apply (as long as you meet the requirements for the position.)