Undergrad Majors to Consider If You Want to Be a College Professor
Explore undergrad majors to consider if you want to be a college professor, including options that prepare you for advanced study and a successful academic career.
Becoming a college professor is a rewarding path, but it requires dedication, advanced education, and expertise in a specific field. Choosing the right undergraduate major is the first step toward this career. The major you select not only shapes your foundational knowledge but also prepares you for graduate study, which is typically required for professorship. From sciences to humanities, your undergraduate focus can influence research opportunities, teaching experience, and long-term career success. Understanding your options early helps you align your academic path with your career aspirations.
Humanities Majors: English, History, Philosophy
Imagine yourself teaching a literature or philosophy class in a university lecture hall. Humanities majors like English, history, or philosophy provide strong critical thinking, research, and communication skills—qualities essential for college professors.
English majors study literature, writing, and analysis, preparing them for careers in teaching, writing, and research. History students learn to interpret historical documents and trends, providing context for teaching and scholarship. Philosophy majors focus on logic, ethics, and argumentation, which are useful in law, academia, and interdisciplinary studies. These majors emphasize writing-intensive coursework, research papers, and independent study, laying a foundation for graduate school in humanities.
FAQ: Can I become a professor in a humanities field without a PhD? While some teaching opportunities exist at community colleges, a PhD is generally required for tenure-track positions at four-year universities.
STEM Majors: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics
Suppose your goal is to become a professor in the sciences. STEM majors like biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics provide the knowledge base necessary for graduate study and research.
STEM majors typically involve laboratory work, experiments, data analysis, and technical writing, all of which prepare students for advanced degrees. Undergraduate research opportunities, internships, and faculty mentorship are especially important in STEM, as they strengthen your graduate school applications and provide hands-on experience that you can later share with your own students.
đź’ˇ Tip: Seek out research assistant positions or summer programs to gain practical experience in your chosen STEM field.
FAQ: Is it necessary to attend a top-ranked university for STEM majors to become a professor? Not necessarily. Graduate school performance, research experience, and publications often matter more than the undergraduate institution’s ranking.
Social Science Majors: Psychology, Sociology, Political Science
Picture yourself leading a college seminar on human behavior or public policy. Social science majors provide critical insights into society, behavior, and institutions.
Psychology, sociology, and political science teach research methods, data interpretation, and theoretical analysis. These skills are essential for both teaching and publishing scholarly work. Social science majors often include opportunities for field research, internships, and data-driven projects, which strengthen applications for master’s or doctoral programs.
FAQ: Can social science majors teach in fields outside their major? Some flexibility exists, especially at community colleges, but tenure-track positions usually require expertise in the major field.
Interdisciplinary and Applied Majors
Suppose you’re interested in combining multiple fields. Interdisciplinary or applied majors—like environmental studies, international relations, or communication studies—can also lead to professorships, especially as universities increasingly value cross-disciplinary knowledge.
These majors provide diverse skills and perspectives that can enhance teaching and research. Students often have opportunities for internships, research projects, and applied experiences that make them competitive for graduate programs and academic positions.
⚠️ Warning: Interdisciplinary majors may require careful planning to ensure you meet graduate school prerequisites for your chosen field.
FAQ: Do interdisciplinary majors limit my chances of getting a PhD? Not necessarily. Many PhD programs welcome students with interdisciplinary backgrounds if they have completed core prerequisites and relevant research experience.
Final Thoughts on Choosing an Undergrad Major
Selecting an undergraduate major is a foundational step toward becoming a college professor. Humanities, STEM, social sciences, and interdisciplinary fields all offer paths to academia, but the best choice aligns with your interests, strengths, and long-term career goals. Complement your major with research, internships, and mentorship to strengthen your graduate school applications. By choosing wisely and staying committed, you can build the expertise and experience needed for a successful career as a college professor.
💡 Tip: Focus on gaining both knowledge and research experience during undergrad—these are critical for admission into graduate programs and future professorship.