What Do Philosophy & Religion Professor Do?
Occupation Description Teach courses in philosophy, religion, and theology. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Life As a Philosophy & Religion Professor
- Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
- 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 and the community on topics such as ethics, logic, and contemporary religious thought.
- Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
- Evaluate and grade students’ class work, assignments, and papers.
- Plan, evaluate, and revise curricula, course content, course materials, and methods of instruction.
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Things a Philosophy & Religion Professor Should Know How to Do
Below is a list of the skills most Philosophy and Religion Professors say are important on the job.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Instructing: Teaching others how to do something.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Church History Professor
- Professor of Religion
- Adjunct Faculty Member
- Associate Professor of Biblical Studies
- Religion Instructor
What Kind of Philosophy & Religion Professor Job Opportunities Are There?
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 31,800 jobs in the United States for Philosophy & Religion Professor. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 12.3% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 3,900 new jobs for Philosophy & Religion Professor by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 2,900 job openings in this field each year.

The states with the most job growth for Philosophy & Religion Professor are Colorado, New York, and Missouri. Watch out if you plan on working in Wyoming, South Dakota, or Maine. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Salary for a Philosophy & Religion Professor
The typical yearly salary for Philosophy and Religion Professors is somewhere between $38,860 and $135,170.

Philosophy and Religion Professors who work in California, New Hampshire, or Rhode Island, make the highest salaries.
How much do Philosophy and Religion Professors make in each U.S. state?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $63,930 |
Arizona | $84,050 |
Arkansas | $88,200 |
California | $114,370 |
Colorado | $65,220 |
Connecticut | $74,880 |
District of Columbia | $84,880 |
Florida | $86,410 |
Georgia | $77,770 |
Hawaii | $77,580 |
Idaho | $79,120 |
Illinois | $81,200 |
Indiana | $77,870 |
Iowa | $79,510 |
Kansas | $72,710 |
Kentucky | $70,730 |
Louisiana | $56,200 |
Maine | $82,740 |
Maryland | $99,870 |
Massachusetts | $84,290 |
Michigan | $77,990 |
Minnesota | $74,360 |
Mississippi | $68,680 |
Missouri | $72,220 |
Montana | $49,080 |
Nebraska | $69,270 |
Nevada | $54,010 |
New Hampshire | $92,100 |
New Jersey | $84,620 |
New York | $80,480 |
North Carolina | $81,680 |
Ohio | $76,550 |
Oklahoma | $55,390 |
Oregon | $74,050 |
Pennsylvania | $84,800 |
Rhode Island | $105,620 |
South Carolina | $68,370 |
South Dakota | $66,600 |
Tennessee | $75,500 |
Texas | $87,240 |
Utah | $88,740 |
Virginia | $72,280 |
Washington | $73,820 |
West Virginia | $60,220 |
Wisconsin | $73,980 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Philosophy and Religion Professors
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Philosophy and Religion Professors may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Web browser software
- Data entry software
- Email software
- Google Docs
- Calendar and scheduling software
- Learning management system LMS
- Blackboard Learn
- Course management system software
- Desire2Learn
- Collaborative editing software
- DOC Cop
- Sakai CLE
- iParadigms Turnitin
- Image scanning software
- Moodle
How do I Become a Philosophy & Religion Professor?
Individuals working as a Philosophy & Religion Professor have obtained the following education levels:

How Long Does it Take to Become a Philosophy & Religion Professor?

Where do Philosophy and Religion Professors Work?

Philosophy and Religion Professors work in the following industries:

Related Careers
Those thinking about becoming a Philosophy & Religion Professor might also be interested in the following careers:
Those who work as a Philosophy & Religion Professor sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:
References:
Image Credit: Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino via Public Domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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