How to Become an Education Professor: Is It the Right Career for You?

by | May 11, 2025 | Uncategorized | 0 comments

Education Professor Career Video

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Our career test, also known as a career aptitude test, can help you determine if becoming an Education Professor aligns with your strengths, skills, and passions.

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✅ A personality trait quiz to understand your work style

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What Do Education Professors Do?

Education professors are pivotal in higher education institutions, focusing on teachers' and educational professionals' preparation and ongoing development. Their primary responsibilities include:​

  • Curriculum Development and Instruction: Designing and delivering undergraduate and graduate courses in education, ensuring that curricula are current and relevant. ​NSTA
  • Research and Scholarship: Conducting original research in areas such as teaching methodologies, educational psychology, and policy analysis, and publishing findings in academic journals. ​NSTA
  • Student Mentorship: Advising and mentoring students on academic and career goals, guiding them through their educational journey. ​NSTA
  • Service to the Institution: Participating in departmental and faculty meetings, serving on academic committees, and contributing to the institution's governance. ​Betterteam
  • Grant Writing and Project Management: Applying for research grants, managing project budgets, and overseeing research initiatives. ​NSTA

By fulfilling these duties, education professors impart knowledge and contribute to the advancement of educational practices and policies.

What Is the Working Environment for an Education Professor?

Academic Settings

Education professors primarily work in postsecondary institutions such as colleges, universities, and teacher preparation programs. They teach in education departments, often in classrooms, lecture halls, or online learning platforms. Depending on their focus, they might also lead seminars, workshops, or supervise student teaching in K–12 settings.

Schedule and Workload

Most education professors work full-time with teaching, research, and service responsibilities. Their academic year typically follows a semester system, with breaks during the summer and holidays. However, the workload can be substantial, particularly for tenure-track students, as they balance lesson planning, grading, research publication, conference presentations, and committee service.

Research and Collaboration

In addition to teaching, education professors conduct research in curriculum design, instructional methods, special education, educational psychology, equity in education, and educational leadership. They often collaborate with other faculty, graduate students, school districts, or government agencies on projects to improve academic outcomes.

How Do You Become an Education Professor?

Becoming an education professor is a long but rewarding journey that involves advanced education, field experience, and a passion for teaching and research.

Step 1: Earn a Bachelor’s Degree

Begin with a bachelor's degree in education or a closely related field. During this time, prospective professors may also obtain teaching credentials and gain classroom experience, particularly if they intend to work in teacher preparation programs.

Step 2: Gain Classroom Experience

Many education professors have prior experience teaching in K–12 or adult education settings. This hands-on experience provides valuable insight and credibility when training future educators.

Step 3: Pursue a Master’s Degree (Optional)

While not always required, a master’s degree in education, curriculum and instruction, educational leadership, or a specialized area such as special education can be a stepping stone to doctoral studies and help refine one's area of focus.

Step 4: Earn a Doctoral Degree (Ph.D. or Ed.D.)

To teach at the university level, you’ll need a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) or Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in education. A Ph.D. is typically research-intensive and suited for academic careers, while an Ed.D. may be more practice-oriented and focused on leadership in educational institutions.

Step 5: Publish Research and Gain Teaching Experience

While pursuing your doctorate, you'll likely teach undergraduate courses or assist with research projects. Publishing peer-reviewed articles and presenting at conferences will enhance your academic profile and job prospects.

Step 6: Apply for Academic Positions

Start by looking for assistant professor roles, which are typically tenure-track. Positions can be found on academic job boards, university websites, and through professional associations such as the American Educational Research Association (AERA) or ChronicleVitae.

What Is the Salary of an Education Professor?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual salary for postsecondary education teachers was $70,160 as of May 2022. Salaries can vary significantly based on institution type, geographic location, academic rank, and years of experience.

Professors at research universities may earn higher salaries than those at smaller colleges or community colleges. Tenured faculty and department chairs often receive additional compensation and benefits.

What Is the Labor Market for an Education Professor?

Employment for postsecondary teachers, including education professors, is projected to grow 8% from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations.

The growing demand for higher education, teacher training programs, and educational research, particularly in special education and instructional technology, makes this a promising field. However, competition for tenure-track roles can be intense, with many positions requiring an extensive academic and research record.

What Are the Pros and Cons of Being an Education Professor?

Pros

  • Academic Freedom: Ability to explore research topics of interest and develop unique teaching styles.
  • Influence on Education Policy and Practice: Opportunity to shape how future educators teach and support students.
  • Professional Prestige: Professors often hold respected positions within academia and society.
  • Flexible Schedule: Compared to other careers, professors enjoy breaks and flexibility outside the academic year.

Cons

  • High Entry Barriers: Requires many years of education and research, often including unpaid or underpaid graduate work.
  • Competitive Job Market: Tenure-track roles are limited, especially at prestigious institutions.
  • Balancing Responsibilities: Teaching, research, advising, and administrative duties can be time-consuming and stressful.
  • Funding Challenges: Securing research grants and institutional support can be difficult, particularly in education-focused disciplines.

What Are the Careers Related to Being an Education Professor?

Here are some careers closely related to being an education professor. Click each title to learn more via ONET:

​Certainly! Here are the updated career descriptions with direct O*NET links:

Education Professor – A Social Career Path

An Education Professor is a profession that aligns with the Social and Investigative personality types in the Holland Code (RIASEC) system. This framework helps match your interests and traits with compatible careers. You can learn your unique three-letter Holland Code by taking the Career Fit Test™.

Those with Social personalities are drawn to helping and teaching others, while Investigative individuals enjoy research, analysis, and exploring complex ideas. As an Education Professor, you’ll teach courses in educational theory, instructional design, and classroom management at the university level. You’ll also conduct academic research, publish scholarly articles, and mentor future educators. This role is ideal for individuals who are passionate about improving teaching practices, shaping education policy, and preparing the next generation of teachers and administrators.

List of Holland Social Careers

Below are many more social careers. Also, see our article, Finding the Right Career for Your Social Personality.

To determine which careers best fit you, take a career test such as the Career Fit Test™.

What Types of Jobs Can an Education Professor Pursue?

Beyond traditional faculty positions, education professors can pursue a variety of leadership or interdisciplinary roles, including:

  • Department Chair or Program Director: Leading academic programs and overseeing faculty.
  • Educational Consultant: Advising schools, districts, or government bodies on instructional practices and reforms.
  • Policy Analyst: Working with think tanks or education departments to shape policy based on research.
  • Author or Curriculum Developer: Writing textbooks or designing innovative curricula for educators.
  • Nonprofit Leadership: Running organizations focused on educational equity, teacher development, or school reform.

What Websites Are Best for Finding Education Professor Jobs?

When searching for faculty positions in education, these websites are highly recommended:

How Do I Know If I Should Be an Education Professor?

Deciding to become an education professor requires self-reflection and research. Here’s how you can assess your fit for this career:

Take a Career Aptitude Test

The Free Career Fit Test™ is an excellent place to start. This comprehensive tool includes:

  • Career Test: Matches your interests and values with careers like an education professor.
  • Career Aptitude Assessment: Measures your natural leadership, communication, and analytical thinking strengths.
  • Personality Trait Quiz: Evaluates traits like empathy, patience, and curiosity, which are essential for professors.

Your personalized Premium Report will reveal your top career matches, help you understand your work personality, and guide you in building a life where your job aligns with your passions and skills.

Conduct Informational Interviews

Talk to current education professors at universities or teacher training institutions. Ask them:

  • What inspired you to pursue this career?
  • What are your biggest challenges and rewards?
  • What advice would you give to aspiring faculty members?

These conversations can give you invaluable insight into the daily realities of the profession.

Reflect on Your Passion for Teaching and Research

Do you enjoy mentoring others? Are you curious about how people learn? Do you want to impact future generations of educators? If so, becoming a professor of education might be your calling.

How Can I Learn More About a Career as an Education Professor?

Explore these resources for more information:

Conclusion

Becoming an education professor is a fulfilling and intellectually rewarding career that allows you to make a lasting impact on future generations of teachers, students, and educational systems. Whether you are training new educators, conducting research to improve learning outcomes, or shaping policies that transform classrooms across the country, this role places you at the forefront of educational innovation.

However, this career path is not without its challenges. It requires years of academic study, advanced degrees, a commitment to lifelong learning, and balancing teaching, research, and service. Success in this field often depends on a deep passion for education, strong communication and leadership skills, and a desire to contribute meaningfully to academia and the wider community.

Before committing to the journey, it’s vital to assess whether your strengths, interests, and career goals align with the responsibilities and expectations of an education professor. One of the most effective ways to do this is by taking the Free Career Fit Test™. This powerful career test offers a three-part assessment, including:

The results are compiled into a Premium Report designed to help you discover your unique strengths, align your career with your purpose, and chart a path toward meaningful, fulfilling work. Whether you’re just beginning your educational journey or considering transitioning from K–12 teaching or another academic role, the Career Fit Test™ can provide the clarity and confidence you need to take your next step.

In addition, consider engaging in informational interviews with current education professors, exploring online resources like O*NET, or joining professional associations such as the American Educational Research Association (AERA) to immerse yourself in the field.

Your calling might be to educate those who will go on to inform others—a legacy that ripples across generations. If you're ready to explore that possibility, let the Free Career Fit Test™ guide your journey and help you unlock a future doing work that truly matters.