The following article talks about the path to becoming a postsecondary teacher. We’ll specifically talk about teaching physics, but we’ll also touch on several other concentrations.
According to Cornell University’s Department of Physics, courses in physics at the higher education level can involve a wide variety of topics, including electromagnetism, quantum mechanics, electronic circuits, thermodynamics, cosmology and stellar structure. With such a wide variety of areas covered by one subject, becoming a physics teacher on the postsecondary level can mean incorporating work experience into your training.
The website of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) states that: “In fields such as biological science, physics, and chemistry, some postsecondary teachers have postdoctoral research experience. These short-term jobs, sometimes called ‘post-docs,’ usually involve working for 2 to 3 years as a research associate or in a similar position, often at a college or university.”
The BLS website also explains that while requirements for becoming a postsecondary teacher can vary depending on the subject being taught and the type of education institution, usually such educators have a Ph.D. although a master’s degree may be sufficient at the community college level.
According to the BLS website, it can take up to 7 years for a postsecondary teacher to achieve tenure. It also explains that: “Tenure and tenure-track positions are declining as institutions are relying more heavily on part-time professors.”
For more information visit https://physics.cornell.edu/ and https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/postsecondary-teachers.htm#tab-4
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