How to Become an English Professor

Gone are the days when English professors were solely responsible for teaching literature and writing classes. Now, English professors must combine knowledge of literature and writing with a thorough understanding of culture, technology, and communication. Curious about how to become an English professor? Look no further!

Get an Advanced Degree

The first step to becoming an English professor is to get an advanced degree. Depending on the institution, you may need a master’s degree or a Ph.D. While graduate coursework can vary from program to program, common courses include teaching writing, literary methods, critical theory, and research options in both classroom and online formats. During your studies, you’ll develop awareness of socioeconomic factors that affect cultural patterns and language. At the same time, you’ll learn to become an expert in your field, whether that’s as a specialist in British literature, American literature, world literature, or another subject.

Develop a Specialty

With a master’s degree or higher, you will likely qualify for instructor-level positions at universities and colleges. With these positions, you’ll develop a specialty within less-studied cultural or language categories, such as authorship, genre, and text. For example, you might focus on 19th-century American fiction, contemporary British literature, or post-colonial studies. With a specialty of your own, you can offer a unique perspective in an ever-evolving academic landscape.

Gain Teaching Experience

To eventually take on an advanced professor position, you’ll need teaching experience. To qualify for most positions, you must have at least three years of experience teaching English. You should strive to demonstrate excellent teaching skills, such as facilitating meaningful interactions and providing critical feedback to students. Additionally, you’ll need to clearly demonstrate knowledge in your field, along with the ability to apply methods of teaching to different topics. As you gain experience, you’ll also want to gain a steady reputation for teaching excellence.

Consider Your Future

The future of education is starting to shift, and educators must recognize and understand the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in the classroom. AI can help to assess students, develop curricula, provide detailed analytics, and engage students. Knowing how to effectively integrate AI into the learning process may be an asset for potential English professors. As you develop your teaching strategies, be sure to keep up with the latest technology and teaching pedagogy to stay ahead in the competition.

Ready to Apply?

Getting an advanced degree and the necessary experience can put you on the path to becoming an English professor. But be sure to plan ahead by researching universities to see if they are seeking English educators with experience. Once you have a job offer, you can complete the required background checks, obtain the necessary certifications, and begin teaching. With a passion for literature, writing, and teaching, you can spread your love of language and culture.

Becoming an English professor takes dedication, commitment, and a willingness to never stop learning. If you have the necessary skills and qualifications, you can take the first step toward the hiring process. Good luck!