There's more you can do with a teaching degree than babysit teenagers and correct comma splices and misspelled words. Here are five jobs in higher education to consider.
Academic advisor. An academic advisor, according to USA Education Guides monitors student academic development, suggests alternatives to academic plans, helps foster a strong relationship between individual students and the college or university, and maintains student records. Most institutions require or prefer their advisors to have a master's degree in the academic area in which they are advising. For some positions, a bachelor's degree in the appropriate field is sufficient. Salary.com reports that the national average salary for an academic advisor is just over $41,000 annually. The salary, however, varies depending on the university and the experience and education of the applicant.
College professor. The most well-known job in higher education is professor. To become a tenured professor, one must acquire a doctorate degree in the appropriate academic field. In addition to teaching, college professors are involved in research and serving the campus via committees and conferences. Research activities involve solving problems and keeping up with other research in the field. In many universities, professors are expected to be published authors too.
Adjunct professor. A college faculty is made up of full-time tenured professors and adjunct professors. Adjunct professors work part time on a contract basis. Some adjunct professors are on their way to becoming full-time professors, whereas others have careers in other fields and are looking to supplement their incomes. Unlike a tenured professor, adjunct professors are not necessarily required to hold a doctorate. They are, however, expected to have at least a master's degree in the appropriate field. A part-time adjunct professor's main responsibility is to teach, although they are expected to keep abreast of research in their academic discipline.
Teaching assistant. Quite often graduate students at a college or university will supplement their income and knowledge by becoming a teaching assistant. A teaching assistant is generally required to teach a limited number of hours per week, set up and lead laboratories, lead discussion sections, help with grading, tutor students, help with course administration and hold regular office hours.
Academic dean. An academic dean provides leadership and strategic planning for specific academic departments at colleges and universities. Job requirements include developing academic programs, evaluating teacher performance, developing educational policies, conducting external networking for the benefit of students, managing and monitoring budgets, and supervising public relations efforts for the department. Academic deans are required to hold a doctorate in the appropriate field.
