Education and libraries
Area, ethnic, and cultural studies teachers, postsecondary
Teach courses pertaining to the culture and development of an area, an ethnic group, or any other group, such as Latin American studies, women's studies, or urban affairs. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Median pay
$85,020
Growth to 2035
+3%
about as fast as average
Openings a year
1,000
Time to qualify*
5 years
* From a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field.
Pay
Area, ethnic, and cultural studies teachers, postsecondary
Getting in
- Typical entry education
- Doctoral or professional degree
- On-the-job training
- None
- Prior experience
- None
Calculate your switch to area, ethnic, and cultural studies teachers, postsecondary
What the work is like
Dealing with the public
Unpleasant or angry people
Time pressure
Cost of a mistake
Freedom to make decisions
Repeating the same tasks
Time sitting
Time standing
Area, ethnic, and cultural studies teachers, postsecondary: 82% usually work over 40 hours a week
Core tasks
- Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
- Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.
- Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as race and ethnic relations, gender studies, and cross-cultural perspectives.
- Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
- Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.
- Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.
- Plan, evaluate, and revise curricula, course content, course materials, and methods of instruction.
- Conduct research in a particular field of knowledge and publish findings in professional journals, books, or electronic media.
Also called: Adjunct Professor · American Studies Professor · Assistant Professor · Associate Professor · Black Studies Professor · Ethnic Studies Professor · Humanities Professor · Lecturer
Outlook and AI
Area, ethnic, and cultural studies teachers, postsecondary held 14,300 jobs in 2025. BLS projects 14,700 by 2035 (+3%, about as fast as average; all jobs: +3.5%).
Compare with
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- Area, ethnic, and cultural studies teachers, postsecondary vs. English language and literature teachers, postsecondary
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- Area, ethnic, and cultural studies teachers, postsecondary vs. Foreign language and literature teachers, postsecondary
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