Alternate Title(s) | Postsecondary Teacher |
Minimum Education Requirements | Doctoral degree |
Salary | See Bureau of Labor Statistics for more information |
Job Skills | - Critical-thinking skills. To challenge established theories and beliefs, conduct original research, and design experiments, postsecondary teachers need good critical-thinking skills. - Interpersonal skills. Most postsecondary teachers need to be able to work well with others and must have good communication skills to serve on committees and give lectures. - Resourcefulness. Postsecondary teachers need to be able to present information in a way that students will understand. They need to adapt to the different learning styles of their students and teach students who have little or no experience with the subject. - Speaking skills. Postsecondary teachers need good communication skills to give lectures. - Writing skills. Most postsecondary teachers need to be skilled writers to publish original research and analysis. |
Job Duties | Postsecondary teachers typically do the following: - Teach courses in their subject area - Work with students who are taking classes to improve their knowledge or career skills - Develop an instructional plan (known as a course outline or syllabus) for the course(s) they teach and ensure that it meets college and department standards - Plan lessons and assignments - Work with colleagues to develop or modify the curriculum for a degree or certificate program involving a series of courses - Assess students’ progress by grading assignments, papers, exams, and other work - Advise students about which classes to take and how to achieve their goals - Stay informed about changes and innovations in their field - Conduct research and experiments to advance knowledge in their field - Supervise graduate students who are working toward doctoral degrees - Publish original research and analysis in books and academic journals - Serve on academic and administrative committees that review and recommend policies, make budget decisions, or advise on hiring and promotions within their department |
Job Profile | Postsecondary teachers instruct students in a wide variety of academic and career and technical subjects beyond the high school level. They also conduct research and publish scholarly papers and books. Postsecondary teachers, often referred to as professors or faculty, specialize in a variety of subjects and fields. Some teach academic subjects, such as English or philosophy. Others focus on career-related subjects, such as law, nursing, or culinary arts. |
The information presented within this occupational profile was synthesized from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Outlook Handbook, 2016-17 Edition and the U.S. Office of Personnel Management’s Handbook of Occupational Groups & Families.