Assistant Professors: How to Become One
If you were to ask a group of assistant professors about how they arrived at their current job, there's a good chance you would get several different answers about the paths and steps that each person took.
That said, there are still ways that you can develop a baseline understanding of the preparation that is necessary to become one.
The Best Adult Colleges and Careers Guide has gathered data to provide you with insight into the type of education that's commonly required for assistant professors to land a job. This page contains information, sourced from real job postings, that describes the experience levels and specific skills that employers of assistant professors expect candidates to have. In the end, this information will help you create an education or professional development plan that aligns with your career aspirations.
Keep reading to learn more about career steps for assistant professors.
What Education & Experience is Needed for Assistant Professors?
Do assistant professors need a degree? What kind of experience do assistant professors typically need? Thanks to data sourced from Lightcast™ from real job postings, we can get some clarity on those questions, as well as the level of education that is commonly required for assistant professors to secure jobs.
Education Level Required in Job Postings for Assistant Professors
Jobs Postings for Assistant Professors By Education
- Master's degree: 142,188 (30%)
- Ph.D. or professional degree: 123,294 (26%)
- Bachelor's degree: 108,267 (23%)
- No Education Listed: 76,116 (16%)
- High School or GED: 28,257 (6%)
A master's degree is the level of education sought the most by employers of assistant professors. According to job data, a master's degree was required for 30% of positions. In 26% of job listings a ph.d. or professional degree was required and in 23% of postings a bachelor's degree was required.
Experience Level Required in Job Postings for Assistant Professors
Jobs Postings for Assistant Professors By Experience
- 0-1 Years: 25,098 (20%)
- 2-3 Years: 63,661 (51%)
- 4-6 Years: 29,454 (24%)
- 7-9 Years: 2,826 (2%)
- 10+ Years: 3,731 (3%)
While the amount of required experience will vary based on the responsibility and seniority of the position, an aggregate view of job posting data can help paint a picture of the experience level sought for most job openings for assistant professors. In 51% of job postings for Assistant Professors, employers were looking for candidates with 2-3 years of experience. In 24% of listings employers were looking for candidates with 4-6 years of experience, while 0-1 years of experience was sought in 20% of job postings for assistant professors.
What Kind of Degree Do Assistant Professors Need?
So far this page has provided detail into the level of education and the amount of experience required in job openings for assistant professors, but what type of education or degree will help prepare you for a career in the field?
According to occupational data obtained through Lightcast,™ there are 108 key academic programs that can help prepare prospective assistant professors, and in 2021 a total of 564,720 of those programs were completed at institutions in the United States.
Check out the information below to learn more about the specific programs that should be considered by prospective assistant professors.
Top Degree Programs for Assistant Professors
Top 5 Degree Programs for Assistant Professors (2021)
| Program | Completions |
|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies. | 366,667 |
| General Studies. | 129,753 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities, Other. | 37,634 |
| Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General. | 9,051 |
| Nursing Education. | 4,027 |
| Program | Completions |
|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies. | 366,667 |
| General Studies. | 129,753 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities, Other. | 37,634 |
| Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General. | 9,051 |
| Nursing Education. | 4,027 |
| Talmudic Studies. | 3,559 |
| Jewish/Judaic Studies. | 1,387 |
| Electrical and Computer Engineering. | 1,378 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections, General. | 1,117 |
| Comparative Literature. | 936 |
| English Language and Literature/Letters, Other. | 935 |
| Christian Studies. | 723 |
| Sports Studies. | 614 |
| Data Science, General. | 526 |
| Data Analytics, General. | 493 |
| Digital Marketing. | 477 |
| Applied Statistics, General. | 464 |
| Cultural Studies/Critical Theory and Analysis. | 388 |
| Cloud Computing. | 386 |
| Philosophy, Other. | 296 |
| Educational Statistics and Research Methods. | 295 |
| Philosophy and Religious Studies, Other. | 285 |
| Medical/Health Humanities. | 281 |
| Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research, Other. | 258 |
| Cybersecurity Defense Strategy/Policy. | 191 |
| Music History, Literature, and Theory. | 173 |
| Ethics. | 150 |
| Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Educational Methods. | 140 |
| Energy Systems Engineering, General. | 138 |
| Educational Assessment, Testing, and Measurement. | 129 |
| Religion/Religious Studies, Other. | 117 |
| English as a Second Language. | 108 |
| College/Postsecondary/University Teaching. | 105 |
| Philosophy, Politics, and Economics. | 97 |
| Theatre and Dance. | 94 |
| Online Educator/Online Teaching. | 79 |
| Performance and Sport Psychology. | 72 |
| Worship Ministry. | 69 |
| History and Political Science. | 66 |
| Play Therapy/Therapist. | 56 |
| Theatre Literature, History and Criticism. | 51 |
| Islamic Studies. | 50 |
| Applied/Public Sociology. | 49 |
| Area, Ethnic, Cultural, Gender, and Group Studies, Other. | 46 |
| Earth Systems Science. | 44 |
| Patient Safety and Healthcare Quality. | 43 |
| Comedy Writing and Performance. | 43 |
| Cultural Studies and Comparative Literature. | 42 |
| Geography and Environmental Studies. | 40 |
| Physics and Astronomy. | 38 |
| Tribal/Indigenous Law. | 35 |
| Comparative Group Studies. | 29 |
| Health Professions Education. | 29 |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions, General. | 28 |
| Architectural Design. | 25 |
| Forensic Anthropology. | 23 |
| Transpersonal/Spiritual Psychology. | 23 |
| Security Science and Technology, General. | 22 |
| Communication Arts and Literature Teacher Education. | 22 |
| Environmental Geosciences. | 20 |
| Chaplain/Chaplaincy Studies. | 18 |
| Construction Project Management. | 18 |
| Comprehensive Transition and Postsecondary (CTP) Program. | 17 |
| Data Science, Other. | 15 |
| Orthopedic Technology/Technician. | 15 |
| Geospatial Intelligence. | 14 |
| Forensic Nursing. | 14 |
| Anthrozoology. | 13 |
| Financial Analytics. | 13 |
| Digital Humanities. | 12 |
| Sound Arts. | 12 |
| Biomechanics. | 12 |
| Community/Environmental/Socially-Engaged Art. | 10 |
| Mathematical Economics. | 10 |
| Metal Arts. | 9 |
| Contemplative Studies/Inquiry. | 8 |
| Epidemiology and Biostatistics. | 7 |
| Business and Economic Journalism. | 7 |
| Data Analytics, Other. | 7 |
| Linguistics and Computer Science. | 6 |
| Catholic Studies. | 6 |
| Applied Demography. | 6 |
| Science/Health/Environmental Journalism. | 6 |
| Sustainable Design/Architecture. | 6 |
| Healthcare Environment Design/Architecture. | 5 |
| Architectural Studies. | 5 |
| Astronautical Engineering. | 5 |
| Linguistics and Anthropology. | 4 |
| Real Estate and Land Development Law. | 4 |
| Health Professions Education, Ethics, and Humanities, Other. | 3 |
| Data Visualization. | 2 |
| Buddhist Studies. | 2 |
| Architectural Conservation. | 2 |
| Hawaiian Language and Literature. | 2 |
| Economics and Computer Science. | 2 |
| Financial Risk Management. | 1 |
| Geobiology. | 1 |
| Patent Law. | 1 |
| Criminal Law and Procedure. | 1 |
| Human Resources Law. | 1 |
| Appalachian Studies. | 1 |
| Cheminformatics/Chemistry Informatics. | 1 |
| Thanatology. | 0 |
| Drama Therapy/Therapist. | 0 |
| Farrier Science. | 0 |
| Agriculture Law. | 0 |
| Power Plant Engineering. | 0 |
| History and Language/Literature. | 0 |
Top Online College For Working Adults
Franklin University is a top choice for adults who need to balance school with busy lives. Founded in 1902 in Columbus, Ohio, Franklin's main focus has been serving adult students and tailoring education to fit their needs. Nonprofit and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org/800.621.7440), Franklin offers more than 50 affordable bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs — all available 100% online.
Degree Options for Assistant Professors
Expand your leadership capabilities to change the business of doing business.
- Years To Complete: 3
Focus your online doctoral program at Franklin University and earn an Ed.D. in curriculum and instruction (Doctor of Education in Instructional Design Leadership).Focus your online doctoral program at Franklin University and earn an Ed.D. in curriculum and instruction (Doctor of Education in Instructional Design Leadership).
- Years To Complete: 3
Become a stronger and more confident and conscious leader with Franklin’s 3-year Ed.D. doctorate with a focus on Higher Education. In this 100% online program, you’ll learn and apply theoretical frameworks and data-informed leadership skills across different organizational contexts within the college and university setting.
- Years To Complete: 3
Educational and business settings need effective and ethical leaders. Franklin’s 3-year Ed.D. with a focus on Organization Leadership equips you to become a transformative leader. With this 100% online doctor of education, you’ll develop expertise in educational technology, data-driven decision making and real-world change management.
- Years To Complete: 3
Become a more relevant and responsive leader with a 100% online Ed.D. in PK-12 Leadership from Franklin. This 3-year program will help you become a visionary leader ready to solve the learning, technology and cultural challenges facing PK-12 districts and schools.
- Years To Complete: 3
Rise to meet the unique challenges of a higher education leader with Franklin’s 12-month online M.Ed. in Educational Leadership with a focus in Higher Education Leadership. The broad-based, theory-to-practice program will prepare you to manage systems and processes that contribute to student achievement.
- Placement Tests: GMAT/GRE not required for admission
Shape the future of nursing with Franklin’s M.S. in Nursing-Nurse Educator program. The 18-month, CCNE accredited online program blends evidence-based advanced nursing practice with industry-standard skills and concepts in instructional methods and design that equip you to excel in academic or clinical settings.
- Months To Complete: 18
- Accreditation: CCNE
- Placement Tests: GMAT/GRE not required for admission
What Skills Do Assistant Professors Need?
Education and experience have been covered, so what are the specific skills and traits needed by assistant professors to secure a job?
A good way to understand this is to examine actual job postings for skills commonly sought by employers. Continue reading for a breakdown of specialized skills found in job postings for assistant professors, as well as common skills that can help you thrive in the workplace.
In-Demand Skills for Today's Assistant Professors
Based on 348,263 job postings
Top 5 Specialized Skills for Assistant Professors
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Curriculum Development | 39,666 | 11% |
| Nursing | 35,382 | 10% |
| Pedagogy | 20,208 | 6% |
| Learning Management Systems | 19,504 | 6% |
| Biology | 18,876 | 5% |
Top 5 Common Skills for Assistant Professors
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Teaching | 237,838 | 68% |
| Communications | 102,095 | 29% |
| Research | 98,258 | 28% |
| Writing | 54,770 | 16% |
| Leadership | 48,553 | 14% |
Based on 348,263 job postings related to assistant professors, curriculum development was the top specialized skill sought by employers, with 11% of all postings looking for that skillset. Skills for nursing, pedagogy, learning management systems, biology and lesson planning were also highly sought.
As for common skills, teaching was the most desired skill found in job postings for assistant professors, followed by communications, research, writing, leadership and management.
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Curriculum Development | 39,666 | 11% |
| Nursing | 35,382 | 10% |
| Pedagogy | 20,208 | 6% |
| Learning Management Systems | 19,504 | 6% |
| Biology | 18,876 | 5% |
| Lesson Planning | 18,746 | 5% |
| Psychology | 16,400 | 5% |
| Syllabus Development | 15,797 | 5% |
| Computer Science | 15,371 | 4% |
| Lecturing | 15,302 | 4% |
| Student Engagement | 14,812 | 4% |
| Online Teaching | 14,740 | 4% |
| Educational Assessment | 14,538 | 4% |
| Marketing | 14,497 | 4% |
| Social Sciences | 12,486 | 4% |
| Distance Learning | 12,418 | 4% |
| Academic Advising | 12,388 | 4% |
| Adult Education | 12,317 | 4% |
| Health Sciences | 12,144 | 3% |
| Student Learning Outcomes | 11,918 | 3% |
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Teaching | 237,838 | 68% |
| Communications | 102,095 | 29% |
| Research | 98,258 | 28% |
| Writing | 54,770 | 16% |
| Leadership | 48,553 | 14% |
| Management | 47,881 | 14% |
| Mentorship | 39,536 | 11% |
| Innovation | 35,374 | 10% |
| Advising | 34,555 | 10% |
| Planning | 33,375 | 10% |
| Interpersonal Communications | 30,620 | 9% |
| Mathematics | 27,725 | 8% |
| English Language | 26,361 | 8% |
| Presentations | 20,954 | 6% |
| Customer Service | 20,423 | 6% |
| Operations | 20,367 | 6% |
| Professionalism | 18,947 | 5% |
| Microsoft Office | 18,842 | 5% |
| Ethical Standards And Conduct | 18,182 | 5% |
| Problem Solving | 17,951 | 5% |
Additional Links
Ready to dig deeper into career information about assistant professors? Visit our other pages focused on salary and education for assistant professors.
What do assistant professors do?
How much do assistant professors make?
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