The education and training required of postsecondary teachers varies widely, depending on the subject taught and educational institution employing them. Educational requirements for teachers are generally the highest at 4-year research universities while experience and expertise in a related occupation is the principal qualification at career and technical institutes.
Postsecondary teachers should communicate and relate well with students, enjoy working with them, and be able to motivate them. They should have inquiring and analytical minds, and a strong desire to pursue and disseminate knowledge. Additionally, they must be self-motivated and able to work in an environment in which they receive little direct supervision.
Training requirements for postsecondary career and technical education teachers vary by State and by subject. In general, teachers need a bachelor's or higher degree, plus at least 3 years of work experience in their field. In some fields, a license or certificate that demonstrates one's qualifications may be all that is required. Teachers update their skills through continuing education, in order to maintain certification. They must also maintain ongoing dialogue with businesses to determine the most current skills needed in the workplace.
Four-year colleges and universities usually consider doctoral degree holders for full-time, tenure-track positions, but may hire master's degree holders or doctoral candidates for certain disciplines, such as the arts, or for part-time and temporary jobs. Most college and university faculty are in four academic ranks—professor, associate professor, assistant professor, and instructor. These positions usually are considered to be tenure-track positions. Most faculty members are hired as instructors or assistant professors. A smaller number of additional faculty members, called lecturers, are usually employed on contracts for a single academic term and are not on the tenure track.
In 2-year colleges, master's degree holders fill most full-time positions. However, in certain fields where there may be more applicants than available jobs, institutions can be more selective in their hiring practices. In these fields, Master's degree holders may be passed over in favor of candidates holding Ph.Ds. Many 2-year institutions increasingly prefer job applicants to have some teaching experience or experience with distance learning. Preference also may be given to those holding dual master's degrees, especially at smaller institutions, because they can teach more subjects.
Schools and programs that provide education and training for working adults generally hire people who are experienced in the field to teach part time. A master's degree is also usually required.
Doctoral programs take an average of 6 years of full-time study beyond the bachelor's degree, including time spent completing a master's degree and a dissertation. Some programs, such as those in the humanities, may take longer to complete; others, such as those in engineering, usually are shorter. Candidates specialize in a subfield of a discipline—for example, organic chemistry, counseling psychology, or European history—but also take courses covering the entire discipline. Programs typically include 20 or more increasingly specialized courses and seminars plus comprehensive examinations on all major areas of the field. Candidates also must complete a dissertation—a written report on original research in the candidate's major field of study. The dissertation sets forth an original hypothesis or proposes a model and tests it. Students in the natural sciences and engineering usually do laboratory work; in the humanities, they study original documents and other published material. The dissertation is done under the guidance of one or more faculty advisors and usually takes 1 or 2 years of full-time work.
Some students, particularly those who studied in the natural sciences, spend additional years after earning their degree on postdoctoral research and study before taking a faculty position. Some Ph.D.s are able to extend postdoctoral appointments, or take new ones, if they are unable to find a faculty job. Most of these appointments offer a nominal salary.
Obtaining a position as a graduate teaching assistant is a good way to gain college teaching experience. To qualify, candidates must be enrolled in a graduate school program. In addition, some colleges and universities require teaching assistants to attend classes or take some training prior to being given responsibility for a course.
Although graduate teaching assistants usually work at the institution and in the department where they are earning their degree, teaching or internship positions for graduate students at institutions that do not grant a graduate degree have become more common in recent years. For example, a program called Preparing Future Faculty, administered by the Association of American Colleges and Universities and the Council of Graduate Schools, has led to the creation of many now-independent programs that offer graduate students at research universities the opportunity to work as teaching assistants at other types of institutions, such as liberal arts or community colleges. Working with a mentor, the graduate students teach classes and learn how to improve their teaching techniques. They may attend faculty and committee meetings, develop a curriculum, and learn how to balance the teaching, research, and administrative roles that faculty play. These programs provide valuable learning opportunities for graduate students interested in teaching at the postsecondary level, and also help to make these students aware of the differences among the various types of institutions at which they may someday work.
For faculty, a major step in the traditional academic career is attaining tenure. New tenure-track faculty usually are hired as instructors or assistant professors, and must serve a period—usually 7 years—under term contracts. At the end of the period, their record of teaching, research, and overall contribution to the institution is reviewed; tenure is granted if the review is favorable. Those denied tenure usually must leave the institution. Tenured professors cannot be fired without just cause and due process. Tenure protects the faculty's academic freedom—the ability to teach and conduct research without fear of being fired for advocating controversial or unpopular ideas. It also gives both faculty and institutions the stability needed for effective research and teaching, and provides financial security for faculty. Some institutions have adopted post-tenure review policies to encourage ongoing evaluation of tenured faculty.
The number of tenure-track positions is declining as institutions seek flexibility in dealing with financial matters and changing student interests. Institutions rely more heavily on limited term contracts and part-time, or adjunct, faculty, thus shrinking the total pool of tenured faculty. Limited-term contracts—typically 2- to 5 years, may be terminated or extended when they expire, but generally do not lead to the granting of tenure. In addition, some institutions have limited the percentage of faculty who can be tenured.
For most postsecondary teachers, advancement involves a move into administrative and managerial positions, such as departmental chairperson, dean, and president. At 4-year institutions, such advancement requires a doctoral degree. At 2-year colleges, a doctorate is helpful but not usually required, except for advancement to some top administrative positions. (Deans and departmental chairpersons are covered in the Handbook statement on education administrators, while college presidents are included in the Handbook statement on top executives.)
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Programs
| [ save ] | 1. | Agribusiness/Agricultural Business Operations | |
| Matching Occupations: 5 | |||
| A program that prepares individuals to manage agricultural businesses and agriculturally related operations within diversified corporations. Includes instruction in agriculture, agricultural specialization, business management, accounting, finance, marketing, planning, human resources management, and other managerial responsibilities. | |||
| [ save ] | 2. | Agricultural and Domestic Animal Services, Other | |
| Matching Occupations: 2 | |||
| Any instructional program in agricultural and domestic animal services not listed above. | |||
| [ save ] | 3. | Agricultural and Food Products Processing | |
| Matching Occupations: 6 | |||
| A program that prepares individuals to receive, inspect, store, process, and package agricultural products in the form of human food consumables, animal or plant food, or other industrial products. Includes instruction in the nutrient and industrial properties of various agricultural products; logistics and storage procedures; chemical and mechanical processing operations; packaging; safety and health requirements; and related technical and business principles. | |||
| [ save ] | 4. | Agricultural and Horticultural Plant Breeding | |
| Matching Occupations: 2 | |||
| A program that focuses on the application of genetics and genetic engineering to the improvement of agricultural plant health, the development of new plant varieties, and the selective improvement of agricultural plant populations. Includes instruction in genetics, genetic engineering, population genetics, agronomy, plant protection, and biotechnology. | |||
| [ save ] | 5. | Agricultural Animal Breeding | |
| Matching Occupations: 7 | |||
| A program that focuses on the application of genetics and genetic engineering to the improvement of agricultural animal health, the development of new animal breeds, and the selective improvement of agricultural animal populations. Includes instruction in genetics, genetic engineering, population genetics, animal health, animal husbandry, and biotechnology. (Moved from 02.0202) | |||
| [ save ] | 6. | Agricultural Business and Management, General | |
| Matching Occupations: 5 | |||
| A general program that focuses on modern business and economic principles involved in the organization, operation, and management of agricultural enterprises. | |||
| [ save ] | 7. | Agricultural Business and Management, Other | |
| Matching Occupations: 7 | |||
| Any instructional program in agricultural business and management not listed above. | |||
| [ save ] | 8. | Agricultural Economics | |
| Matching Occupations: 2 | |||
| A program that focuses on the application of economics to the analysis of resource allocation, productivity, investment, and trends in the agricultural sector, both domestically and internationally. Includes instruction in economics and related subfields as well as applicable agricultural fields. | |||
| [ save ] | 9. | Agricultural Mechanization, General | |
| Matching Occupations: 2 | |||
| A program that generally prepares individuals to sell, select, and service agricultural or agribusiness technical equipment and facilities, including computers, specialized software, power units, machinery, equipment structures, and utilities. Includes instruction in agricultural power systems; planning and selecting materials for the construction of support facilities; mechanical practices associated with irrigation and water conservation; erosion control; and agricultural data processing systems. | |||
| [ save ] | 10. | Agricultural Mechanization, Other | |
| Matching Occupations: 2 | |||
| Any instructional program in agricultural mechanization not listed above. | |||
| [ save ] | 11. | Agricultural Power Machinery Operation | |
| Matching Occupations: 3 | |||
| A program that prepares individuals to operate specialized farm, ranch, and agribusiness power equipment of a stationary, mobile, and/or hand-operated nature. Includes instruction in operating specialized equipment such as terrestrial and airborne crop spraying equipment; tractors and hauling equipment; planting and harvesting equipment; cutting equipment; power sources and systems for silos, irrigation, pumping, and applications such as dairy, feeding and, shearing operations; processing equipment; and applicable electrical, mechanical, and safety principles. | |||
| [ save ] | 12. | Agricultural Production Operations, General | |
| Matching Occupations: 7 | |||
| A program that focuses on the general planning, economics, and use of facilities, natural resources, equipment, labor, and capital to produce plant and animal products, and that may prepare individuals for work in farming, ranching, and agribusiness. | |||
| [ save ] | 13. | Agricultural Production Operations, Other | |
| Matching Occupations: 6 | |||
| Any instructional program in agricultural production operations not listed above. | |||
| [ save ] | 14. | Agricultural Teacher Education | |
| Matching Occupations: 4 | |||
| A program that prepares individuals to teach vocational agricultural programs at various educational levels. | |||
| [ save ] | 15. | Agricultural/Farm Supplies Retailing and Wholesaling | |
| Matching Occupations: 5 | |||
| A program that prepares individuals to sell agricultural products and supplies, provide support services to agricultural enterprises, and purchase and market agricultural products. Includes instruction in basic business management, marketing, retailing and wholesaling operations, and applicable principles of agriculture and agricultural operations. (Moved from 01.0501) | |||
| [ save ] | 16. | Agriculture | |
| Matching Occupations: 4 | |||
| Instructional programs that focus on agriculture and related sciences and that prepare individuals to apply specific knowledge, methods, and techniques to the management and performance of agricultural operations. | |||
| [ save ] | 17. | Agriculture, Agriculture Operations, and Related Sciences, Other | |
| Matching Occupations: 3 | |||
| Agriculture, Agriculture Operations, and Related Sciences, Other. Any instructional program in agriculture, agricultural operations, and related sciences not listed above. | |||
| [ save ] | 18. | Agriculture, General | |
| Matching Occupations: 4 | |||
| Instructional content is defined in code 01.0000. | |||
| [ save ] | 19. | Agriculture, General | |
| Matching Occupations: 4 | |||
| A program that focuses on the general principles and practice of agricultural research and production and that may prepare individuals to apply this knowledge to the solution of practical agricultural problems. Includes instruction in basic animal, plant, and soil science; animal husbandry and plant cultivation; soil conservation; and agricultural operations such as farming, ranching, and agricultural business. (Moved from 02.0101) | |||
| [ save ] | 20. | Agronomy and Crop Science | |
| Matching Occupations: 6 | |||
| A program that focuses on the chemical, physical, and biological relationships of crops and the soils nurturing them. Includes instruction in the growth and behavior of agricultural crops, the development of new plant varieties, and the scientific management of soils and nutrients for maximum plant nutrition, health, and productivity. (Moved from 02.0402) | |||
| [ save ] | 21. | Animal Health | |
| Matching Occupations: 2 | |||
| A program that focuses on the application of biological and chemical principles to the study, prevention, and control of diseases in agricultural animal populations. Includes instruction in environmental science, pharmacology, animal population studies, genetics, animal physiology and diet, disease prevention, treatment methodologies, and laboratory and testing procedures. (Moved from 02.0203) | |||
| [ save ] | 22. | Animal Nutrition | |
| Matching Occupations: 8 | |||
| A program that focuses on the biology and chemistry of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, water, vitamins, and feed additives as related to animal health and the production of improved animal products. Includes instruction in nutrition science, animal health and physiology, biochemistry, cellular and molecular biology, animal husbandry, and food science. (Moved from 02.0204) | |||
| [ save ] | 23. | Animal Sciences, General | |
| Matching Occupations: 7 | |||
| A general program that focuses on the scientific principles that underlie the breeding and husbandry of agricultural animals, and the production, processing, and distribution of agricultural animal products. Includes instruction in the animal sciences, animal husbandry and production, and agricultural and food products processing. (Moved from 02.0201) | |||
| [ save ] | 24. | Animal Sciences, Other | |
| Matching Occupations: 2 | |||
| Any instructional program in the animal sciences not listed above. (Moved from 02.0299) | |||
| [ save ] | 25. | Animal Training | |
| Matching Occupations: 2 | |||
| A program that prepares individuals to teach and exercise animals for leisure, sport, show, and professional purposes. Includes instruction in animal psychology, health, and safety; human-animal interaction; learning and behavior styles associated with different breeds and species; and the technical and pedagogical aspects of training animals for such specific functions as obedient household pets, performing show animals, animal athletes, care-giving (e.g., seeing-eye dogs), search and rescue, and police/security work. | |||
| [ save ] | 26. | Animal/Livestock Husbandry and Production | |
| Matching Occupations: 10 | |||
| A program that prepares individuals to select, breed, care for, process, and market livestock and small farm animals. Includes instruction in basic animal science, animal nutrition, and animal health as applied to various species and breeds; design and operation of housing, feeding, and processing facilities; and related issues of safety, applicable regulations, logistics, and supply. | |||
| [ save ] | 27. | Applied Horticulture/Horicultural Business Services, Other | |
| Matching Occupations: 3 | |||
| Applied Horticulture/Horticultural Business Services, Other. Any instructional program in horticultural service operations not listed above. | |||
| [ save ] | 28. | Applied Horticulture/Horticultural Operations, General | |
| Matching Occupations: 2 | |||
| Applied Horticulture/Horticulture Operations, General. A program that focuses on the general production and processing of domesticated plants, shrubs, flowers, foliage, trees, groundcovers, and related plant materials; the management of technical and business operations connected with horticultural services; and the basic scientific principles needed to understand plants and their management and care. | |||
| [ save ] | 29. | Aquaculture | |
| Matching Occupations: 4 | |||
| A program that prepares individuals to select, culture, propagate, harvest, and market domesticated fish, shellfish, and marine plants, both freshwater and saltwater. Includes instruction in the basic principles of aquatic and marine biology; health and nutrition of aquatic and marine life; design and operation of fish farms, breeding facilities, culture beds, and related enterprises; and related issues of safety, applicable regulations, logistics, and supply. | |||
| [ save ] | 30. | Crop Production | |
| Matching Occupations: 9 | |||
| A program that prepares individuals to cultivate grain, fiber, forage, oilseed, fruits and nuts, vegetables, and other domesticated plant products. Includes instruction in basic principles of plant science, health, and nutrition as applied to particular species and breeds; soil preparation and irrigation; pest management; planting and harvesting operations; product marketing; and applicable issues of safety, regulation, logistics, and supply. | |||
| [ save ] | 31. | Dairy Science | |
| Matching Occupations: 7 | |||
| A program that focuses on the application of biological and chemical principles to the production and management of dairy animals and the production and handling of dairy products. Includes instruction in animal sciences, nutrition sciences, food science and technology, biochemistry, and related aspects of human and animal health and safety. (Moved from 02.0206) | |||
| [ save ] | 32. | Equestrian and Equine Studies | |
| Matching Occupations: 2 | |||
| A program that focuses on the horse, horsemanship, and related subjects and prepares individuals to care for horses and horse equipment; ride and drive horses for leisure, sport, show, and professional purposes; and manage the training of horses and riders. Includes instruction in horse breeding, nutrition, health, and safety; history of the horse and horsemanship; horse development and training; riding and equestrian technique; stable, paddock, and track management; and equipment maintenance and repair. | |||
| [ save ] | 33. | Farm and Ranch Management | |
| Matching Occupations: 7 | |||
| A program that prepares individuals to manage farms, ranches, and similar enterprises. Includes instruction in applicable agricultural specialization, business management, accounting, taxation, capitalization, purchasing, government programs and regulations, operational planning and budgeting, contracts and negotiation, and estate planning. | |||
| [ save ] | 34. | Food Science | |
| Matching Occupations: 5 | |||
| A program that focuses on the application of biological, chemical, and physical principles to the study of converting raw agricultural products into processed forms suitable for direct human consumption, and the storage of such products. Includes instruction in applicable aspects of the agricultural sciences, human physiology and nutrition, food chemistry, agricultural products processing, food additives, food preparation and packaging, food storage and shipment, and related aspects of human health and safety including toxicology and pathology. (Moved from 02.0301) | |||
| [ save ] | 35. | Greenhouse Operations and Management | |
| Matching Occupations: 4 | |||
| A program that prepares individuals to produce, store, and deliver plant species in controlled indoor environments for wholesale, commercial, research, or other purposes. Includes instruction in applicable principles of plant science; climate, irrigation, and nutrition control equipment operation and maintenance; facilities management; inventory control; safety procedures; and personnel supervision. | |||
| [ save ] | 36. | Horticultural Science | |
| Matching Occupations: 5 | |||
| A program that focuses on the scientific principles related to the cultivation of garden and ornamental plants, including fruits, vegetables, flowers, and landscape and nursery crops. Includes instruction in specific types of plants, such as citrus; breeding horticultural varieties; physiology of horticultural species; and the scientific management of horticultural plant development and production through the life cycle. (Moved from 02.0403) | |||
| [ save ] | 37. | International Agriculture | |
| Matching Occupations: 2 | |||
| A program that focuses on the application of agricultural management and scientific principles to the problems of global food production and distribution, and to the study of the agricultural systems of other countries. Includes instruction in agricultural economics; comparative agricultural systems; international agribusiness and law; third-world development studies and economic development; and global applications of climate, soil, water resources, ecological and environmental studies, and animal and plant sciences. | |||
| [ save ] | 38. | Landscaping and Groundskeeping | |
| Matching Occupations: 6 | |||
| A program that prepares individuals to manage and maintain indoor and/or outdoor ornamental and recreational plants and groundcovers and related conceptual designs established by landscape architects, interior designers, enterprise owners or managers, and individual clients. Includes instruction in applicable principles of horticulture, gardening, plant and soil irrigation and nutrition, turf maintenance, plant maintenance, equipment operation and maintenance, personnel supervision, and purchasing. | |||
| [ save ] | 39. | Livestock Management | |
| Matching Occupations: 4 | |||
| A program that focuses on the application of biological and chemical principles to the production and management of livestock animals and the production and handling of meat and other products. Includes instruction in animal sciences, range science, nutrition sciences, food science and technology, biochemistry, and related aspects of human and animal health and safety. | |||
| [ save ] | 40. | Ornamental Horticulture | |
| Matching Occupations: 6 | |||
| A program that focuses on domesticated plants and plant materials used for decorative and recreational applications and prepares individuals to breed, grow, and utilize ornamental plant varieties for commercial and aesthetic purposes. Includes instruction in applicable plant science subjects, the environmental design and artistic aspects of horticultural product usage, and the management of horticultural operations. | |||
| [ save ] | 41. | Plant Nursery Operations and Management | |
| Matching Occupations: 5 | |||
| A program that prepares individuals to operate and manage outdoor plant farms, tree and shrub nurseries, and related facilities that develop domesticated plant products for propagation, harvesting, and transplantation. Includes instruction in applicable principles of plant science; farm and business management; nursery operations; equipment operation and maintenance; safety procedures; and personnel supervision. | |||
| [ save ] | 42. | Plant Protection and Integrated Pest Management | |
| Matching Occupations: 5 | |||
| A program that focuses on the application of scientific principles to the control of animal and weed infestation of domesticated plant populations, including agricultural crops; the prevention/reduction of attendant economic loss; and the control of environmental pollution and degradation related to pest infestation and pest control measures. Includes instruction in entomology, applicable animal sciences, plant pathology and physiology, weed science, crop science, and environmental toxicology. (Moved from 02.0408) | |||
| [ save ] | 43. | Plant Sciences, General | |
| Matching Occupations: 6 | |||
| A general program that focuses on the scientific principles that underlie the breeding, cultivation, and production of agricultural plants, and the production, processing, and distribution of agricultural plant products. Includes instruction in the plant sciences, crop cultivation and production, and agricultural and food products processing. (Moved from 02.0401) | |||
| [ save ] | 44. | Plant Sciences, Other | |
| Matching Occupations: 2 | |||
| Any instructional program in plant sciences not listed above. (Moved from 02.0499) | |||
| [ save ] | 45. | Poultry Science | |
| Matching Occupations: 6 | |||
| A program that focuses on the application of biological and chemical principles to the production and management of poultry animals and the production and handling of poultry products. Includes instruction in avian sciences, nutrition sciences, food science and technology, biochemistry, hatchery design, and related aspects of human and animal health and safety. (Moved from 02.0209) | |||
| [ save ] | 46. | Range Science and Management | |
| Matching Occupations: 6 | |||
| A program that focuses on the scientific study of rangelands, arid regions, grasslands, and other areas of low productivity, as well as the principles of managing such resources for maximum benefit and environmental balance. Includes instruction in livestock management, wildlife biology, plant sciences, ecology, soil science, and hydrology. (Moved from 02.0409) | |||
| [ save ] | 47. | Soil Science and Agronomy, General | |
| Matching Occupations: 2 | |||
| A program that generally focuses on the scientific classification of soils, soil properties, and their relationship to agricultural crops. Includes instruction in soil chemistry, soil physics, soil biology, soil fertility, morphogenesis, mineralogy, hydrology, agronomy, and soil conservation and management. (Moved from 02.0501) | |||
| [ save ] | 48. | Turf and Turfgrass Management | |
| Matching Occupations: 6 | |||
| A program that focuses on turfgrasses and related groundcover plants and prepares individuals to develop ornamental or recreational grasses and related products; plant, transplant, and manage grassed areas; and to produce and store turf used for transplantation. Includes instruction in applicable plant sciences, genetics of grasses, turf science, use analysis, turf management, and related economics. | |||
Knowledge
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Skills
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