Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary
Teach courses in philosophy, religion, and theology. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
From people doing the work
Teaching philosophy and religion at the postsecondary level is deeply, involving constant intellectual engagement and guiding students through complex ideas. It is seeing students develop their own perspectives makes it all worthwhile. combines scholarly rigor and pedagogical passion.
Drawn from American Philosophical Association, American Academy of Religion, Chronicle of Higher Education
Attribution: Composite
Composite · Synthesised from American Philosophical Association, American Academy of Religion, Chronicle of Higher Education
A day in the life of Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary
- People interaction
- Extensive
- Team vs solo
- 70% Team / 30% Solo
- Client facing
- Never
- Impact visibility
- Moderate
- Travel
- Minimal
- Schedule flexibility
- Flexible
- Remote work
- On-site Only
- Typical work hours
- 40-50
- Stress level
- Moderate
Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary salary, education and outlook at a glance
- Median salary
- $78,050
- Entry-level
- $47,000
- Senior
- $140,000
- Growth by 2033
- +0.7%
- Demand
- Stable
- Freelance potential
- Moderate
- Salary growth potential
- 198%
- Typical student debt
- Very High
Skills you need as Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary
Hard skills
- Philosophy and Theology
- Complex Problem Solving
- Education and Training
Soft skills
- Instructing
- Learning Strategies
- Active Listening
Technical complexity: Low
Tools of the trade
Core tools
- Learning Management Systems (LMS) (Software): Facilitate course delivery, assignments, and student communication
- Academic Databases (e.g., JSTOR, PhilPapers) (Platform): Access scholarly articles, journals, and research materials
- Presentation Software (e.g., PowerPoint, Google Slides) (Software): Create and deliver engaging lectures and visual aids
Commonly used
- Word Processors (e.g., Microsoft Word, Google Docs) (Software): Prepare syllabi, assignments, and written feedback
- Online Conferencing Tools (e.g., Zoom, Google Meet) (Software): Conduct virtual classes, office hours, and meetings
Specialist tools
- Citation Management Software (e.g., Zotero, Mendeley) (Software): Organize research sources and generate bibliographies
How to become Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary
- Minimum education
- Doctoral Degree
- Licensing
- Yes
- Years to mid-career
- 5-8
- Years to senior
- 15-25
- Career switching
- Moderate
Where this career leads
How people arrive here
- High School Teacher: Transitioning from teaching at the secondary level to postsecondary education, often requiring advanced degrees.
- Researcher (Non-Academic): Moving from research-focused roles outside academia to teaching and research within a university setting.
- Clergy/Religious Leader: Leveraging deep knowledge of religious texts and practices to teach theology or religious studies.
Where you can go from here
- Academic Dean: Advancing into administrative roles within a university, overseeing departments or colleges.
- Educational Consultant: Applying expertise in pedagogy and curriculum development to advise educational institutions.
- Author/Editor (Academic Publishing): Utilizing research and writing skills to contribute to or manage academic publications.
- Ethicist: Applying philosophical principles to real-world ethical dilemmas in various sectors.
Typical progression
- Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
- Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary
- or History Teachers, Postsecondary
Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary job outlook and future demand
- Automation probability
- Low
- AI disruption risk
- Moderate
- Demand trend
- Stable
Job satisfaction as Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary
- Overall satisfaction
- 7.2/10
- Meaning
- 8.5/10
- Work-life balance
- 7.5/10
- Prestige
- 7.5/10
- Social perception
- High
Where practitioners gather
Professional organisations
- American Philosophical Association (APA): A professional organization for philosophers in the United States and Canada, promoting the exchange of ideas and fostering philosophical inquiry.
- American Academy of Religion (AAR): The primary academic society for the study of religion, fostering excellence in scholarship and teaching.
Podcasts and media
- Chronicle of Higher Education: A leading source of news, information, and jobs for college and university faculty and administrators.
- Philosophy Talk: A weekly radio series and podcast that discusses philosophical issues in a thought-provoking yet accessible way.
Reddit communities
- Reddit r/askphilosophy: An online community for asking and discussing philosophical questions with serious and informed answers.