Cultural Studies Professors
Overview
Cultural Studies Professors teach college students about different cultures, ethnicities, and societies from around the world. They create course materials and syllabi, grade assignments and exams, and conduct research that gets published in academic journals. These professors use both traditional classroom settings and modern online platforms to deliver their courses, often working with colleagues to develop new programs. To become one, you typically need a PhD in cultural studies, anthropology, or a related field, plus strong research and communication skills.

Did you know?
Positions typically require a PhD and strong research credentials, with limited tenure-track opportunities and significant competition among qualified candidates.
At a Glance
Median Wage
$82,085 Avg/yr
Growth
Stable
Top Skill
Instructing
Key Responsibilities
- Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.
- Advise students on academic and vocational curricula, and on career issues.
- Maintain student attendance records, grades, and other required records.
- Perform administrative duties, such as serving as department head.
- Serve on academic or administrative committees that deal with institutional policies, departmental matters, and academic issues.
- Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.
- Compile bibliographies of specialized materials for outside reading assignments.
- Conduct research in a particular field of knowledge and publish findings in professional journals, books, or electronic media.
- Supervise undergraduate or graduate teaching, internship, and research work.
- Participate in campus and community events, such as giving public lectures about research.
- Select and obtain materials and supplies, such as textbooks.
- Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
- Plan, evaluate, and revise curricula, course content, course materials, and methods of instruction.
- Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.
- Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as race and ethnic relations, gender studies, and cross-cultural perspectives.
- Act as advisers to student organizations.
- Maintain regularly scheduled office hours to advise and assist students.
- Provide professional consulting services to government or industry.
- Write grant proposals to procure external research funding.
- Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
- Incorporate experiential or site visit components into courses.
- Collaborate with colleagues to address teaching and research issues.
- Participate in student recruitment, registration, and placement activities.
Career Considerations
Highly Competitive Academic Job Market
Positions typically require a PhD and strong research credentials, with limited tenure-track opportunities and significant competition among qualified candidates.
Growing Emphasis on Diversity and Inclusion
American universities increasingly prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, creating expanded opportunities for scholars in ethnic and cultural studies.
Research and Publication Expectations
Success requires balancing teaching responsibilities with ongoing research, publication in peer-reviewed journals, and securing grants in specialized academic fields.