Education · 1 of 4
The path
The longest training of any teaching job, and the narrowest funnel at the end.
- 1
High school
Grades 11 and 12
Strong grades in everything, plus real reading in whatever subject grips you. Nothing here is specialized yet.
- 2
Bachelor's degree
4 years
Major in your future field. Keep a high GPA, get to know professors, and try to work on a research project with one of them.
- 3
Doctorate
5 to 7 years
A funded PhD (doctor of philosophy) program: coursework, exams, then an original dissertation. You teach undergraduate classes as part of the deal.
- 4
Postdoctoral position
0 to 4 years
Common in the sciences, less so in the humanities. A short research contract while you publish and apply for faculty jobs.
- 5
Tenure track and tenure
6 to 7 years
Hired as an assistant professor, then judged on research, teaching and service. Pass and you are tenured. Fail and you usually have to leave.