Education teachers at the postsecondary level design courses, deliver instruction, and guide students in higher education settings. You'll need a doctoral degree and extensive preparation. The work is intellectually demanding and deeply rewarding.
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Education teachers at the postsecondary level design and deliver courses to college and university students. You train and teach others in education theory, practice, and research. You organize curriculum, plan lessons, and prioritize learning outcomes. You assess student work and judge the quality of their understanding. You communicate regularly with colleagues and supervisors about program direction. You solve problems that arise in the classroom and in your field. You gather information from research, professional literature, and peer institutions to stay current in your discipline.
Core work activities
Career video courtesy of CareerOneStop.
Education Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $75,350 a year, based on 2025 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and location.
The outlook is modest. Employment is projected to grow 2 percent from 2024 to 2034, little or no change for all occupations, with about 5,600 openings a year.
Top skills
Knowledge areas
You will need a doctoral degree to teach education at the postsecondary level. This typically means completing a bachelor's degree first, then a master's degree, and finally a doctoral program in education or a related field. The path is extensive and requires strong academic performance throughout. During your studies, you will develop deep knowledge of education theory, psychology, sociology, and research methods. Many programs include teaching assistantships or internships that let you gain classroom experience while you study. Plan for several years of preparation before you are ready to apply for faculty positions.
The main route to this career is earning a doctoral degree after completing your bachelor's and master's degrees. The timeline and program fit matter a lot, so if you are exploring whether this path aligns with your goals, Pathly can map the education teacher, postsecondary path that fits you and work through it with your counselor to build a realistic plan.
You do not need a license to work as an education teacher, postsecondary, but professional certifications can strengthen your resume.
Common certifications
You are drawn to working with people and helping them learn and grow. You enjoy social interaction, collaboration, and making a meaningful difference in others' lives through education.
Reading about a career is the easy part. Turning it into a plan is where most students get stuck. Pathly takes you from curious to a clear next step, and gives your counselor the insight to champion you along the way.
Start with a quick quiz and assessments that surface your personality, your EQ, and what really motivates you, so your next steps are built around who you actually are.
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Get a personalized, step-by-step plan to reach this career, with the training, coursework, and credentials tracked in one place. Link your school or IEC and your counselor in the loop.
Last updated July 1, 2026.
Data sources. Career details from the O*NET 30.3 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under CC BY 4.0. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Salary and outlook figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025 wages; 2024–2034 projections), delivered via the CareerOneStop API. Certification, licensing, wage, and outlook data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by USDOL/ETA and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).