Being an online professor is a great way to earn some extra money. The job is easy, flexible, and can be done from anywhere.
If you are interested in becoming an online professor, the first thing you’ll want to do is create a profile on [platform]. Once your profile is created, you can start applying for jobs. You will want to focus on finding jobs that require teaching skills rather than writing or research.
Once you’ve found a job that fits your needs and qualifications, make sure you do everything in your power to make sure it goes smoothly. This means being on time for every class session and regularly checking in with students via email or other communication methods so they know they can reach out if they need anything.
If you’re looking for more tips on how to become an online professor, check out this blog post: [link].
How To Become An Online Professor
Virtual learning is a growing educational practice that allows a flexible class experience for students and educators. These classes are especially popular in post-secondary education institutions. If you are interested in teaching a college course online, you may want to learn about the career of an online professor. In this article, we explain what an online professor is, what they do and how to become one, and we address frequently asked questions about the profession.
Get your personalized job feed on Indeed
Be the first to see new jobs in your area
What is an online professor?
Online professors teach virtual courses to college students. Though they share similar responsibilities with traditional professors, online professors teach their courses completely online. This can give the students and the professor more flexibility in schedule and does not require a commute.
What does an online professor do?
Online professors essentially have the same primary duties as traditional professors. However, because of the virtual medium they use to teach, online professors usually implement a different approach while they instruct students. Here’s a list of an online professor’s primary duties:
- Designing course curriculums
- Planning lessons and lectures
- Maintaining the class website
- Providing technical support for students
- Communicating with students
- Grading and commenting on student assignments
- Scheduling tests and lessons
How to become an online professor
To become an online professor, follow these steps:
1. Choose a topic that interests you
Online professors usually have an area of specific focus, such as British literature or statistics. While you’re working toward your bachelor’s degree, consider which subject you enjoy most and if you would like to teach it. Deciding your topic early allows you to take related courses and learn more about different areas.
Read more: What Is a Major in College? Tips on How To Choose One
2. Plan what type of colleges you want to work at
During your education, consider where you would like to work. The qualifications you may need often depend on the size, location and specialty of a college. If you would like to work at a large public institution, you probably need a doctoral degree. If you want to work at a smaller university, you may only need a master’s degree.
The size of the college you choose to work at also can affect your workplace culture and the number of students you teach. Though online professors complete most of their work virtually, it’s still important to choose an institution that aligns with your values and career goals.
3. Earn a master’s degree
The minimum education requirement to be an online professor is a master’s degree. You can major in the subject you want to teach instead of earning a degree in education.
With a master’s degree, you’re qualified to work for private and community colleges. If you’re interested in furthering your education, some colleges offer programs that waive a partial or full amount of tuition costs if you work at the college you attend.
Related: What Is Job Tuition Reimbursement and How Does It Work?
4. Consider a doctoral degree
While a master’s degree can qualify you to work as an online professor at some private and community colleges, most major universities prefer professors who have doctorates. Online professors usually earn their doctorate in a subject specific to their area of interest. Earning a doctorate can help you earn tenure and work full time. It also can give you an advantage in the application process.
Related: The Role of Tenure and Why It Is Important
5. Complete a certification program
Though not always required, sometimes earning a certification in online teaching can be helpful to online professors. These certification programs help professors master the skills needed for online instruction and better prepare for teaching over non-traditional mediums.
College administrations do not always require online professors to earn an online teaching certification, but certifications can give you an advantage over other candidates in the application process. An online teaching certification could be especially helpful to professionals who do not have a doctorate.
Top job searches near you
Frequently asked questions about being an online professor
Before you decide to become an online professor, you may want to learn more about the career. Here’s some frequently asked questions about being an online professor:
What skills do you need to be an online professor?
While pursuing a master’s and doctorate can help you gain the academic knowledge needed to be a professor, there are other skills that you may need. Here’s a list of skills that online professors commonly have:
- Critical thinking: Online professors need to think critically to develop course syllabuses and create effective assignments for students.
- Communication: Because online professors often communicate with their students via email and online forums, these professionals need to develop strong written communication skills. These skills ensure that all students understand class expectations and subjects.
- Leadership: Online professors benefit from strong leadership skills to motivate their students and help them develop the skills to be self-sufficient.
- Computer skills: Because they teach their courses completely over the internet, online professors should be able to troubleshoot common computer issues and navigate the internet and common applications with ease. This can help ensure that the course is free from technical issues.
- Creativity: Unlike in-person professors, online professors often cannot see if their students are engaged in the course. In order to provide interesting coursework and effective teaching methods, online professors can benefit from finding creative ways to instruct their classes.
What are the benefits of being an online professor?
Teaching online offers more flexibility in scheduling and allows professionals to work from home. This flexibility also extends to students, which can increase the accessibility of your class, meaning you can teach students that could not otherwise attend in-person classes. Having a wider variety of students in your class can encourage diverse discussions and new perspectives.
Being an online professor can also give you opportunities to be more creative with your teaching methods and integrate more technology to connect students with various online resources.
What is an online professor’s work environment like?
Online professors primarily work from home. However, if you are interested in teaching a combination of online and in-person classes, many universities can accommodate this request. Depending on the university they teach at, online professors may need to travel to the campus for department meetings.
How much does an online professor earn?
The national average salary of a college professor is $64,095 per year. Online and in-person professors of similar experience and who work at the same university usually earn the same salary. Education level and certifications can also affect salaries.
What is the job outlook for an online professor?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects the demand for post-secondary teachers, including online professors, to increase by 9% from 2019 to 2029, which is much faster than the national average.
