Education Teachers, Postsecondary
SOC Code: 25-1081.00
Education & LibraryEducation teachers at the postsecondary level prepare the next generation of teachers, counselors, and educational leaders by teaching courses in pedagogy, curriculum design, and learning theory at colleges and universities. With a median salary of $72,090, these professors combine classroom teaching with research on educational practices, contributing to the scholarly understanding of how people learn and how schools can improve. Their work sits at the critical intersection of academic scholarship and practical impact on K-12 classrooms and educational systems nationwide.
Salary Overview
Median
$72,090
25th Percentile
$50,630
75th Percentile
$96,260
90th Percentile
$126,450
Salary Distribution
Job Outlook (2024–2034)
Growth Rate
+2.1%
New Openings
5,600
Outlook
Slower than average
Key Skills
Knowledge Areas
What They Do
- Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.
- Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.
- Supervise students' fieldwork, internship, and research work.
- Write grant proposals to procure external research funding.
- Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
- Conduct research in a particular field of knowledge and publish findings in professional journals, books, or electronic media.
- Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.
- Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as children's literature, learning and development, and reading instruction.
Tools & Technology
★ = Hot Technology (in-demand)
Education Requirements
Typical entry-level education: Related Work Experience
Related Careers
Top Career Pivot Targets
View all 27 →Careers with the highest skill compatibility from Education Teachers, Postsecondary.
A Day in the Life
A typical day for a postsecondary education teacher begins with preparing lectures, reviewing student assignments, or updating course materials to incorporate the latest educational research and policy developments. Morning classes might cover topics like differentiated instruction, educational psychology, multicultural education, or school leadership, often using case studies and practical simulations that connect theory to classroom reality. Between teaching sessions, professors meet with students during office hours to discuss practicum experiences, advise on research projects, or provide guidance on licensure requirements and career planning. Afternoon activities frequently include supervising student teachers at local K-12 schools, observing their lessons, and providing feedback that bridges the gap between university coursework and real-world teaching practice. Research occupies a significant portion of the workweek, with professors designing studies on topics like literacy instruction, educational technology integration, or equity in school funding. Faculty meetings, committee service, and collaboration with school district partners on professional development initiatives round out the workday. Many education professors maintain active connections with K-12 schools, serving on advisory boards, leading grant-funded professional development projects, or consulting on school improvement initiatives.
Work Environment
Postsecondary education teachers work primarily on college and university campuses, dividing their time between classrooms, offices, and field-based settings where they supervise student teachers in K-12 schools. The academic calendar structures the work year, with intensive teaching periods during fall and spring semesters and more flexible research-focused time during summers and breaks. Teaching loads in education departments are typically moderate compared to some disciplines, though the added responsibility of clinical supervision in K-12 schools significantly expands time commitments. The culture in education departments tends to be collaborative and practice-oriented, with faculty maintaining active partnerships with local school districts and community organizations. Research expectations vary significantly by institution type—research universities demand consistent publication in peer-reviewed journals, while teaching-focused institutions prioritize classroom instruction and student mentoring. Travel to professional conferences, school supervision sites, and collaborative research meetings is common throughout the academic year. The work environment is intellectually engaging but can be emotionally demanding, as education faculty often grapple with complex social issues like inequality, racism, and child welfare that intersect with their scholarly and professional activities.
Career Path & Advancement
Most postsecondary education teachers hold a doctoral degree in education (Ed.D. or Ph.D.) along with prior experience as K-12 teachers or school administrators, which provides the practical credibility essential for training future educators. The path typically begins with several years of K-12 teaching experience, followed by pursuit of a doctoral degree that takes four to seven years and combines coursework in research methodology with specialized study in areas like curriculum and instruction, educational leadership, or special education. During doctoral programs, aspiring professors gain teaching experience as graduate assistants and begin building publication records through their dissertation research. Entry-level faculty positions as assistant professors involve balancing teaching loads of two to four courses per semester with active research agendas and service commitments. Tenure review at the five-to-seven-year mark evaluates research productivity, teaching effectiveness, and service contributions to the university and profession. Promotion to associate and then full professor follows sustained scholarly contributions and increasing professional recognition. Some education professors transition into administrative roles as department chairs, deans of education, or provosts, while others take on leadership positions in professional organizations or education policy institutes.
Specializations
Postsecondary education teaching encompasses a wide array of specializations that reflect the breadth of the education field. Curriculum and instruction specialists teach methods courses in specific content areas like reading, mathematics, science, or social studies education, preparing teachers to deliver effective instruction in their subjects. Educational psychology professors study cognitive development, motivation, learning processes, and assessment practices that inform teaching strategies across grade levels. Special education faculty prepare teachers to work with students who have learning disabilities, behavioral challenges, and developmental differences, covering legal frameworks, intervention strategies, and inclusive classroom practices. Educational technology specialists examine how digital tools, learning management systems, and emerging technologies can enhance teaching and learning in both K-12 and higher education contexts. Educational leadership and administration professors prepare aspiring principals, superintendents, and other school leaders for management roles in educational organizations. Counselor education faculty train school counselors and career advisors in therapeutic techniques, developmental guidance, and crisis intervention. Comparative and international education specialists study educational systems across countries, examining policy approaches, cultural influences, and global trends in education reform.
Pros & Cons
Advantages
- ✓The work directly shapes the quality of education by preparing effective teachers and school leaders who impact thousands of students throughout their careers.
- ✓Academic freedom allows professors to pursue research questions they are passionate about and design courses reflecting their expertise and values.
- ✓The academic schedule provides flexibility in structuring workdays and offers longer breaks during summer and holiday periods for focused research.
- ✓The median salary of $72,090, combined with university benefits like tuition remission and retirement contributions, provides reasonable total compensation.
- ✓Close relationships with students who are aspiring educators create meaningful mentoring experiences and lasting professional connections.
- ✓Active engagement with K-12 schools through supervision and partnership maintains a connection to practical educational work and its real-world impact.
- ✓Sabbatical and professional development opportunities support continuous intellectual growth and career renewal.
Challenges
- ✗The path to a faculty position requires extensive education, including a doctoral degree that takes four to seven years beyond the master's level.
- ✗The academic job market for education faculty is competitive, with many qualified candidates competing for a limited number of tenure-track positions.
- ✗Balancing teaching, research, service, and clinical supervision demands creates workload pressures that frequently exceed reasonable boundaries.
- ✗Tenure expectations for publications in high-impact journals create sustained pressure during the early career probationary period.
- ✗Education programs sometimes face lower prestige within university hierarchies, leading to smaller budgets and less institutional support.
- ✗Keeping coursework aligned with rapidly changing K-12 policies, standards, and technologies requires constant curriculum updates.
- ✗The emotional involvement in student teachers' struggles and the complex social issues in education can lead to compassion fatigue over time.
Industry Insight
The field of postsecondary education teaching is being shaped by urgent challenges and transformative opportunities in how teachers are prepared and supported. Teacher shortages across the country, particularly in fields like special education, STEM, and bilingual education, are driving innovation in preparation program design, including accelerated pathways and residency models that immerse candidates in schools from day one. The movement toward clinical practice-intensive teacher preparation is reshaping how education courses are taught, with more time spent in K-12 classrooms and tighter integration between university coursework and field experiences. Anti-racism and equity-focused education have become central themes in teacher preparation programs, with faculty redesigning courses to address systemic inequalities and prepare culturally responsive educators. Educational technology integration has accelerated dramatically, requiring education faculty to model effective uses of digital tools while researching their impact on learning outcomes. Alternative certification pathways and online teacher preparation programs are challenging traditional university-based models, creating competitive pressure to demonstrate the value of comprehensive preparation. Accreditation standards from CAEP and state agencies continue to evolve, demanding more rigorous evidence of teacher candidate competence and program effectiveness.
How to Break Into This Career
Breaking into postsecondary education teaching requires building a strong foundation that combines practical experience with scholarly credentials. Aspiring education professors should begin with meaningful K-12 teaching or school counseling experience, as search committees at education programs strongly value candidates who have practiced what they teach. Pursuing a doctoral degree at a program with strong research mentorship and a track record of producing faculty members is the essential next step, with attention to selecting an advisor whose research interests align with your own. During doctoral studies, gaining teaching experience through graduate assistantships, adjunct positions, or co-teaching arrangements with faculty mentors builds the pedagogical portfolio that hiring committees evaluate. Publishing research during the dissertation phase—even as conference papers or co-authored manuscripts—significantly strengthens faculty job applications. Presenting at major education conferences like AERA, AACTE, and discipline-specific organizations builds professional visibility and networking connections that lead to job opportunities. Developing expertise in methodological approaches that are in demand—such as mixed methods research, participatory action research, or data science applications in education—distinguishes candidates in competitive searches. Many successful candidates also bring grant-writing experience, which is increasingly valued as external funding becomes more important for education research programs.
Career Pivot Tips
Postsecondary education teachers develop a distinctive combination of research skills, teaching expertise, and educational systems knowledge that translates well to numerous career transitions. Research methodology and data analysis skills transfer directly to program evaluation, educational consulting, and policy analysis roles at organizations focused on improving educational outcomes. Expertise in curriculum design and instructional methods prepares education professors for curriculum development positions at educational publishers, edtech companies, and corporate training organizations. Experience mentoring and training adult learners translates to talent development, organizational learning, and leadership development roles in corporate human resources departments. Knowledge of educational policy, assessment systems, and school improvement strategies positions professors for leadership roles at state education agencies, accrediting bodies, and education-focused foundations. Publishing and grant-writing experience supports transitions to research management, communications, and content strategy roles at think tanks and education nonprofits. Professors specializing in educational technology can pivot to instructional design, learning experience design, and product development roles at edtech companies. The combination of subject-matter expertise and public speaking skills also prepares education faculty for thought leadership, keynote speaking, and educational media roles.
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