Becoming a Philosophy Professor: Possibilities and Pathways

Becoming a philosophy professor is widely considered one of the most challenging academic career paths due to an extremely competitive job market. While it's certainly possible, it requires exceptional dedication, intellectual talent, and often, a significant amount of perseverance.

Here's a breakdown of the possibilities and pathways, along with crucial factors to consider:

I. The Pathway: A Long and Rigorous Journey

1. Bachelor's Degree in Philosophy (4 years): This is the foundational step. While not strictly required for graduate school, it's highly recommended as it demonstrates your commitment and provides the necessary philosophical background. Strong academic performance and engagement with faculty are crucial.

2. Master's Degree in Philosophy (MA) (1-2 years, optional but often beneficial): Some PhD programs admit students directly from a bachelor's, but an MA can strengthen your application, allow you to explore different areas of philosophy, and help you refine your research interests. It also provides an exit option if you decide academia isn't for you.

3. Doctorate in Philosophy (PhD) (5-7+ years): This is the absolute prerequisite for becoming a philosophy professor. Key aspects of a philosophy PhD program include:

   • Coursework: Deep dives into various philosophical subjects and historical periods.
   • Comprehensive Exams: Demonstrating broad knowledge across different areas of philosophy.
   • Dissertation: Original research culminating in a book-length manuscript that makes a significant contribution to the field. This is the cornerstone of your academic identity.
   • Teaching Experience: Most PhD programs require or offer opportunities for graduate students to serve as teaching assistants (TAs) or even teach their own introductory courses. This practical experience is vital for future job applications.
   • Publication: Increasingly, having publications in peer-reviewed journals during your PhD is crucial for securing a tenure-track position.
   • Networking: Building relationships with faculty, attending conferences, and presenting your work are essential for recommendations and job leads.

4. Postdoctoral Fellowships and Visiting Positions (1-3+ years, common): After completing your PhD, many aspiring professors enter a phase of temporary, short-term academic positions such as postdoctoral fellowships (postdocs) or visiting assistant professorships (VAPs). These allow you to gain more teaching experience, continue publishing, and strengthen your CV while continuing to search for a permanent role. They are often highly competitive themselves.

5. Tenure-Track Position: The ultimate goal is to secure a tenure-track position, which typically begins as an Assistant Professor. This is a multi-year appointment (often 5-7 years) during which you are expected to excel in teaching, research, and service (e.g., departmental committees).

6. Tenure: If you meet the institution's criteria for excellence in teaching, research, and service, you are granted tenure, which provides academic freedom and job security. This is a highly sought-after status.

II. The Possibility: A Highly Competitive Landscape

The reality is that becoming a philosophy professor is very difficult and the job market is extremely competitive. Here's why:

• Supply vs. Demand Imbalance: Far more PhDs in philosophy are awarded each year than there are permanent academic positions available.
  • Estimates suggest that historically, only about 30-40% of philosophy PhDs ultimately secure a tenure-track or similar permanent position. This means a significant majority of graduates will pursue alternative careers.
  • When considering attrition rates from PhD programs (people who don't finish their PhD), the number of individuals who begin a philosophy PhD program and eventually land a tenure-track job is even lower, perhaps around 1 in 4.
• Limited Openings: Philosophy departments are often small, and positions don't open up frequently. When they do, they attract hundreds of highly qualified applicants.
• Institutional Shifts: There's a trend towards fewer tenure-track positions and more temporary, adjunct, or teaching-track roles, which often come with higher teaching loads, lower pay, and less job security. Some universities are implementing hiring freezes.
• Importance of Reputation and Specialization:
  • A PhD from a highly-ranked or "top" philosophy program can significantly increase your chances, though it's still no guarantee.
  • Having a strong research agenda and publications in respected journals is critical.
  • Some subfields of philosophy may have slightly more openings than others (e.g., ethics, especially applied ethics or AI ethics, has seen some growth).
• Networking and "Fit": Personal connections, strong letters of recommendation, and demonstrating a good "fit" with the department's existing strengths and needs can play a role.

III. Factors that Increase Your Chances (but don't guarantee):

• Attend a well-regarded PhD program: The reputation of your graduate institution can open doors.
• Produce excellent, original research: Your dissertation and subsequent publications are paramount.
• Publish during your PhD: Having a few peer-reviewed articles under your belt before hitting the job market is a major advantage.
• Develop strong teaching skills: Evidence of effective teaching (e.g., positive student evaluations, teaching awards) is important.
• Network strategically: Attend conferences, present papers, and cultivate relationships with established scholars.
• Be flexible with location: Being willing to relocate for a job vastly expands your options.
• Consider different types of institutions: While R1 research universities are often the dream, liberal arts colleges, regional universities, and community colleges also hire philosophy professors, often with a greater emphasis on teaching.
• Develop a clear research agenda and area of specialization (AOS/AOC): Knowing what you want to research and teach helps you target positions.

IV. Alternative Pathways for Philosophy PhDs:

Given the academic job market, many philosophy PhDs find fulfilling careers outside of academia, leveraging the highly transferable skills developed during their studies:

• Critical thinking, analytical reasoning, and problem-solving: Valuable in consulting, data analysis, policy, and research roles.
• Strong written and oral communication: Excellent for writing, editing, journalism, law, and public relations.
• Argumentation and logical skills: Useful in law, business, and even tech (e.g., ethics of AI).
• Research skills: Applicable in various industries that require gathering, analyzing, and synthesizing information.

Conclusion:

Becoming a philosophy professor is possible, but it's a marathon, not a sprint, and requires an exceptionally high tolerance for uncertainty and competition. If you have a deep passion for philosophy, a strong aptitude for research and teaching, and are fully aware of the challenging job market, then pursuing this path might be for you. However, it's wise to enter with a realistic understanding of the odds and to actively cultivate marketable skills that allow for a "Plan B" outside of academia.

How feasible is it to pursue a career as a philosophy professor?