The timeline depends on your field and how far you go
Becoming a professor typically takes 8 to 12 years after high school, though the exact length depends on your field and whether you pursue a doctoral degree. Most universities require a PhD or equivalent terminal degree for full-time faculty positions, and that degree alone takes 5 to 7 years after you finish your bachelor's degree. Add a bachelor's degree (4 years) and you are looking at 9 to 11 years minimum. Some fields move faster; others take longer.
The path is not one straight line. You might work as a teaching assistant, postdoctoral researcher, or adjunct instructor while completing your degree or after it. Many people spend time outside academia and return later. Understanding the actual steps and their timing helps you plan realistically.
Key Takeaways
- A bachelor's degree takes 4 years, and a PhD takes 5 to 7 years after that, putting you at 9 to 11 years before you can explore for tenure-track positions.
- Some fields like engineering and sciences take longer for a PhD; humanities fields sometimes finish in 5 to 6 years.
- You may spend 2 to 5 additional years as a postdoctoral researcher or adjunct before landing a permanent faculty role.
- Community colleges and some four-year institutions accept candidates with a master's degree instead of a PhD, shortening the timeline by 2 to 3 years.
- Your field, institution type, and funding availability all affect how quickly you move through each stage.
Bachelor's degree: 4 years
Your first step is a bachelor's degree in your intended field or a related discipline. This takes 4 years at most universities if you attend full-time and complete it without interruption. Some students finish in 3 years with advanced placement or heavy course loads; others take 5 years if they change majors or attend part-time.
During your bachelor's, you should seek research opportunities, internships, or teaching assistant positions in your field. These experiences strengthen your graduate school applications and help you confirm that an academic career is what you want. They also build relationships with professors who will write recommendation letters later.
Master's degree: 1 to 3 years (optional for some paths)
A master's degree is not always required to become a professor, but it is common in some fields and can shorten your overall timeline in others. A master's typically takes 1 to 2 years full-time. Some programs, especially in STEM fields, are designed to be completed in 1 year; others take 2 to 3 years depending on whether you write a thesis.
If you want to teach at a community college or some four-year institutions, a master's degree may be sufficient instead of a PhD. This path gets you to a faculty position in 6 to 7 years total (4 years bachelor's plus 2 to 3 years master's). However, if your goal is a research university or a competitive four-year institution, you will likely need to continue to a doctoral degree.
PhD or equivalent terminal degree: 5 to 7 years
A PhD is the standard requirement for tenure-track positions at research universities and most four-year colleges. The time to complete a PhD varies significantly by field. In STEM disciplines—biology, chemistry, physics, engineering—a PhD typically takes 5 to 7 years. In humanities fields like English, history, or philosophy, 5 to 6 years is common. Social sciences fall somewhere in between.
The first 1 to 2 years usually involve coursework and comprehensive exams. The remaining 3 to 5 years focus on original research and writing your dissertation. Some programs have strict time limits (5 or 6 years); others allow longer if you are making progress. Funding matters: if you have a full fellowship or assistantship, you can focus on your work full-time. If you are funding yourself or working outside the program, it takes longer.
Some fields use different terminal degrees. In fine arts, an MFA (Master of Fine Arts) may be equivalent to a PhD. In business, an MBA can lead to faculty positions. In law, a JD is the terminal degree. Check the requirements for your specific field and the institutions where you want to teach.
Postdoctoral positions and adjunct teaching: 0 to 5 years
After your PhD, you do not automatically become a professor. Many fields require or strongly prefer a postdoctoral position—a temporary research role, usually 2 to 3 years, where you continue developing your research and publication record. Postdocs are especially common in STEM fields and less common in humanities, though that is changing.
During this time, you are building the publication record and research reputation that makes you competitive for tenure-track jobs. You may also teach occasionally, but your primary role is research. Some people do one postdoc; others do two or three, either by choice or because tenure-track positions are scarce in their field.
If you do not land a tenure-track position when ready after your PhD or postdoc, you might work as an adjunct instructor (part-time faculty) or lecturer while continuing to explore for permanent roles. This can add 1 to 5 years or more, depending on your field and the job market. Adjunct work pays much less and offers no benefits or job security, but it keeps you in academia and on your CV while you search.
Tenure-track positions and the tenure clock: 6 to 7 years
Once you land a tenure-track position, you enter a probationary period called the tenure clock, which typically lasts 6 to 7 years. During this time, you are evaluated on teaching, research, and service. At the end, you either earn tenure (permanent employment) or you are let go.
Tenure is not automatic. You must meet the standards set by your department and institution, which usually means publishing research, teaching effectively, and contributing to the department and profession. The pressure during these years is real, and many people do not earn tenure on their first attempt. If you do not, you may look for another tenure-track position elsewhere, move to a non-tenure-track role, or leave academia.
Timeline by field and institution type
| Path | Typical Total Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Research university (PhD required) | 9–15 years | Bachelor's (4) + PhD (5–7) + postdoc (2–3) + tenure-track (6–7) |
| Four-year college (PhD preferred) | 9–13 years | Bachelor's (4) + PhD (5–7) + possibly shorter postdoc or adjunct period |
| Community college (master's sufficient) | 6–8 years | Bachelor's (4) + master's (2–3) + adjunct or lecturer time (0–2) |
| STEM field with postdoc | 12–16 years | Longer PhD (5–7) and often multiple postdocs (2–3 each) |
| Humanities field | 10–14 years | Shorter PhD (5–6) but often longer adjunct period due to fewer positions |
What affects how long it actually takes
Funding is the single biggest factor. If you have a full fellowship or assistantship during your PhD, you can focus entirely on your work and finish on schedule. If you are paying your own way or working outside your program, it takes longer. Some students take 8 to 10 years to finish a PhD because they are funding themselves.
Field and advisor matter too. Some advisors are known for moving students through quickly; others have students who take much longer. Some fields have clearer timelines and expectations; others are more open-ended. STEM fields often have more structured programs and faster timelines than humanities.
Job market conditions affect how long you spend as an adjunct or postdoc before landing a tenure-track role. In fields with many openings, you might move quickly. In fields with few positions, you could spend years in temporary roles. This is not in your control, but it is real.
Personal circumstances also play a role. If you take time off for family, health, or other reasons, your timeline extends. Some people work full-time while pursuing a degree part-time, which can double the time required. None of this is unusual or a failure—it is just the reality of how long education and career building actually take.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I become a professor without a PhD?
Yes, but it depends on where you want to teach. Community colleges often hire faculty with a master's degree. Some four-year colleges also accept master's-level candidates, especially in applied fields. Research universities almost always require a PhD or equivalent terminal degree. Check the job postings in your field to see what institutions are hiring at your education level.
Is it faster to get a master's and then a PhD?
Not usually. Most PhD programs expect you to enter with a bachelor's degree and do not give credit for a separate master's. You might finish slightly faster if your master's coursework counts toward PhD requirements, but you are not saving a full year or two. Some people earn a master's along the way to a PhD, but that is a side benefit, not a shortcut.
What if I work while getting my degree?
It takes longer. A full-time PhD typically takes 5 to 7 years; part-time can take 8 to 10 years or more. If you are working full-time and studying part-time, add several years to any timeline. Some programs allow part-time enrollment; others do not. Check with programs in your field before assuming you can balance both.
Do I have to do a postdoc after my PhD?
It depends on your field. In STEM and many social sciences, a postdoc is expected and often required to be competitive for tenure-track jobs. In humanities, postdocs are less common and not always necessary. Some people skip postdocs and go directly to tenure-track or non-tenure-track positions. Research what is standard in your specific field and the institutions where you want to work.
How long does it take to get tenure after I am hired?
The tenure clock is typically 6 to 7 years. You are evaluated at the end and either earn tenure or your contract ends. Some institutions allow you to extend the clock by a year or two if you have a major life event like having a child, but the standard is 6 to 7 years of probationary employment.