Postsecondary History Teachers
Overview
History teachers at colleges and universities help students explore the past through engaging courses on everything from ancient civilizations to modern events. They create lesson plans, grade assignments, conduct research, and often publish their findings in books or academic journals. Using both traditional methods and modern technology like online platforms and digital archives, they guide students through historical analysis while collaborating with other professors to design degree programs. Many also mentor students on career paths and serve on academic committees that shape university policies.

Did you know?
A doctoral degree in History or a related field is typically required for tenure-track positions at American colleges and universities.
At a Glance
Median Wage
$80,202.04 Avg/yr
Growth
Stable
Top Skill
Mathematics
Key Responsibilities
- Maintain regularly scheduled office hours to advise and assist students.
- Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.
- Teach community courses and speak to local groups and organizations.
- Provide professional consulting services to government, educational institutions, or industry.
- Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as ancient history, postwar civilizations, and the history of third-world countries.
- Act as advisers to student organizations.
- Develop, maintain, and teach online courses.
- Maintain student attendance records, grades, and other required records.
- Plan, evaluate, and revise curricula, course content, course materials, and methods of instruction.
- Select and obtain materials and supplies, such as textbooks.
- Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.
- Advise students on academic and vocational curricula and on career issues.
- Participate in student recruitment, registration, and placement activities.
- Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.
- Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
- Compile bibliographies of specialized materials for outside reading assignments.
- Supervise undergraduate or graduate teaching, internship, and research work.
- 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.
- Collaborate with colleagues to address teaching and research issues.
- Conduct research in a particular field of knowledge and publish findings in professional journals, books, or electronic media.
- Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
- Review books and journal articles for potential publication.
- Participate in campus and community events.
- Write grant proposals to procure external research funding.
Career Considerations
Advanced Degree Requirements
A doctoral degree in History or a related field is typically required for tenure-track positions at American colleges and universities.
Highly Competitive Job Market
The academic job market for history professors in the US is extremely competitive, with many qualified candidates competing for limited permanent positions.
Research and Publication Expectations
American universities expect history faculty to maintain active research programs and publish scholarly work regularly to achieve tenure and career advancement.