How to Apply at Colleges to Be a Professor
If you have ever thought about applying to teach at the college level, there a few things you need to know about becoming a professor before you apply. Applying to teach at a university or college is no simple matter. In order to even be seriously considered for the position you must evaluate your marketability as a professor in light of your level of education, the quality of your degree, your field of expertise, your current research and your publications.
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Instructions
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Obtain the proper degree. The most common degree among college and university professors is the doctorate. It is possible to teach at the college level with just a master's degree, but to be considered seriously for a permanent position, you should consider having your doctorate completed or at least be working on your dissertation. A doctorate is a research-oriented degree and your research is what a university will consider primary in your application. Teaching is still necessary as part of the job, but the level of research you can contribute to the institution often takes precedence. This is less true with smaller colleges that often need to fill teaching positions, but they will still take a candidate with a doctorate over one with only a master's degree. Doctorate applicants provide research expertise in their given field and are expected to continue to publish in that field while employed by the university.
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Evaluate your research interests. Colleges and universities are looking for faculty members who can make a unique contribution within their own field of study and whose research interests complement those of other faculty members. Most colleges tend to hire faculty members whose research interests are different than those of other faculty members to enhance the school's reputation for quality research. By having a diversity of interests represented at the school, the college or university can ensure its good reputation within the academic community. You should make sure that your interests would be a complement to the college or university you are applying to, otherwise you might be wasting your time. You can figure this out by doing some simple research. Find the faculty homepage for the department of the institution you are applying to and peruse the research interests and publications of each faculty member. Make sure that your research interests do not simply mirror that of another faculty member. When you submit your application to the school, be sure to highlight your research and emphasize how you will contribute to the college or university's ongoing influence in the research community.
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Appraise the quality of your degree. While a doctorate certainly qualifies you teach at the university level, not all degrees are created equal. Where you received your degree may be just as important as the fact that you have one. The more reputable the school from which you received your degree, the more likely you are to be considered for the position. Academic pedigree can vary based on the field of study. Ivy League schools are typically well-regarded regardless of your field, but there are other universities that often exceed these schools for research in certain fields. If you know what your specific research interests are, you should seek out a program that has an established reputation for producing scholars in that field.
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Complete your list of schools and make your application to each. You applications should be made primarily based on where you would be a good fit rather than geographical location, if possible. The "Chronicle of Higher Education" is a good place to start looking for full-time faculty positions at colleges and universities. If you would like to be considered for online faculty positions you can search the job listings on a site like geteducated.com. When you submit your application you will need to submit your resume with a cover letter that highlights your research interests, expertise, and teaching experience. You will also need to submit your curriculum vitae, the academic equivalent of a resume that lists vital information such as the classes you have taken. You will also likely need multiple reference letters and copies of official transcripts from every school you have attended.
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