Postsecondary Educators
About this Career
Postsecondary teachers instruct students in a wide variety of academic and vocational subjects beyond the high school level. They also conduct research and publish scholarly papers and books. Professors and other postsecondary teachers specialize in any of a wide 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.Postsecondary teachers work for different types of institutions, and their job duties vary with the kind of organization they work for.
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Some postsecondary teachers are professors who work for large universities. In this setting, they often spend a large portion of their time conducting research or experiments and applying for grants to fund their research. Frequently, they spend less time teaching. Classes may be taught by graduate teaching assistants, who are supervised by a professor.
At colleges and universities, professors (together called the "faculty" of the school) are organized into departments based on the subject matter of their specialty, such as English, physics, Spanish, or music. They may teach one or more courses within that department, such as a mathematics professor teaching calculus, statistics, and a graduate seminar in a very specific area of mathematics.'
The amount of time postsecondary teachers spend teaching, serving on committees, and doing research also varies with their position in the university or college. Full-time professors, particularly those who have tenure, often are expected to spend more time on their research. They also may be expected to serve on more college and university committees. Part-time professors, often known as adjunct professors, spend most of their time teaching students.
At colleges and universities, professors (together called the "faculty" of the school) are organized into departments based on the subject matter of their specialty, such as English, physics, Spanish, or music. They may teach one or more courses within that department, such as a mathematics professor teaching calculus, statistics, and a graduate seminar in a very specific area of mathematics.'
The amount of time postsecondary teachers spend teaching, serving on committees, and doing research also varies with their position in the university or college. Full-time professors, particularly those who have tenure, often are expected to spend more time on their research. They also may be expected to serve on more college and university committees. Part-time professors, often known as adjunct professors, spend most of their time teaching students.
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Additional Resources
Occupational Outlook Handbook: Career and Technical Education Teachers
Occupational Outlook Handbook: Postsecondary Teachers
O*Net Online: Adult Basic and Secondary Education
O*Net Online: Education Administrators, Postsecondary
Occupational Outlook Handbook: Postsecondary Teachers
O*Net Online: Adult Basic and Secondary Education
O*Net Online: Education Administrators, Postsecondary
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