Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in political science, international affairs, and international relations. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

From people doing the work

It's a constant balance of staying current with global events, inspiring critical thinking in students, and managing the demands of research and publication. The real reward is seeing students grasp complex political theories and apply them to the world around them.

Drawn from APSA discussions, Chronicle of Higher Education forums, H-Net listservs

Attribution: Composite

Composite · Synthesised from APSA discussions, Chronicle of Higher Education forums, H-Net listservs

A day in the life of Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary

People interaction
Extensive
Team vs solo
70% Team / 30% Solo
Client facing
Sometimes
Impact visibility
Low
Travel
Minimal
Schedule flexibility
Flexible
Remote work
On-site Only
Typical work hours
40-50
Stress level
Moderate

Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary salary, education and outlook at a glance

Median salary
$94,680
Entry-level
$57,000
Senior
$170,000
Growth by 2033
+2.0%
Demand
Stable
Freelance potential
Moderate
Salary growth potential
198%
Typical student debt
Very High

Skills you need as Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Hard skills

  • Law and Government
  • Complex Problem Solving
  • Development environment software

Soft skills

  • Instructing
  • Learning Strategies
  • Speaking

Technical complexity: Low

Tools of the trade

Core tools

  • Learning Management Systems (LMS) like Canvas or Blackboard (Platform): To deliver course content, manage assignments, facilitate discussions, and track student progress in an online or blended learning environment.
  • Academic Databases (e.g., JSTOR, ProQuest, Web of Science) (Database): To conduct in-depth research, access scholarly articles, journals, and primary sources for lectures, publications, and student guidance.
  • Presentation Software (e.g., PowerPoint, Google Slides) (Software): To create engaging lectures, visual aids, and present complex political science concepts to students effectively.

Commonly used

  • Statistical Software (e.g., R, SPSS, Stata) (Software): To analyze quantitative data for research, interpret political trends, and teach research methods to students.
  • Video Conferencing Tools (e.g., Zoom, Google Meet) (Software): To conduct virtual office hours, deliver online lectures, and facilitate remote collaboration with students and colleagues.

Specialist tools

  • Reference Management Software (e.g., Zotero, Mendeley) (Software): To organize research materials, generate citations, and manage bibliographies for academic papers and publications.

How to become Political Science 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 Social Studies Teacher: Transitioning from teaching political science at the secondary level to postsecondary education, often requiring advanced degrees.
  • Research Assistant (Political Science): Moving from supporting academic research to leading and teaching political science courses.
  • Government Analyst: Shifting from analyzing policy and data in government to teaching and researching political science in academia.

Where you can go from here

  • Sociology Teacher, Postsecondary: Leveraging expertise in social structures and political systems to teach related disciplines.
  • International Relations Professor: Specializing in global politics and international affairs, often a natural progression for political science teachers.
  • Policy Analyst: Applying academic knowledge of political systems and policy to practical analysis and recommendations in government or think tanks.
  • Academic Dean: Advancing into administrative roles within academia, overseeing departments or colleges.

Typical progression

  1. Special Education Teachers, Elementary School
  2. Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary
  3. or Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary

Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary job outlook and future demand

Automation probability
Low
AI disruption risk
Moderate
Demand trend
Stable

Job satisfaction as Political Science 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

Podcasts and media

  • Chronicle of Higher Education: A primary source of news, information, and job listings for college and university faculty and administrators.
  • Inside Higher Ed: A news organization providing free news, opinion, and jobs for all of higher education.

Reddit communities

  • r/PoliticalScience: A subreddit for discussions, news, and resources related to political science.

Online communities

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