How to Become a Business Professor
Professionals who excel in business hone their abilities under the direction of a talented business professor. Learning to become a successful business leader requires a unique blend of business acumen, leadership talent, and emotional intelligence.
Whether working at a community college or an Ivy League school, business teachers have a significant impact on the careers of business professionals. They offer their students the theories behind the best approaches to business and ways to put those concepts into practice.
The path to becoming a business professor is long and challenging, but the rewards are worth the effort. As a professor, you get the opportunity to engage and inspire young, ambitious business students, helping shape the next generation of leaders.
Benefits of Becoming a Business Professor
Why become a business professor? While many entrepreneurial stories focus on those who forged their own path toward financial success without the benefit of higher education, most had at least attended some college courses in their lives. Earning a degree is a proven pathway to success for making your mark in the modern business world.
That’s why business professors are so important. They train the next generation of leaders in the skills and knowledge they need to excel.
Business professors also enjoy many benefits. They include the following.
Making an Impact in Business Education
Business professors do more than teach theory. They guide students through real-world challenges, build confidence, and help shape careers. Many say the most meaningful part of the job is watching students grow into successful professionals.
Strong Job Outlook
The demand for professors continues to rise. Postsecondary teaching roles are expected to grow about 8 percent from 2023 to 2033, which is faster than average for most careers. As more students enroll in higher education, the need for skilled business faculty will stay steady.
Competitive Salary
BLS data shows that the average salary for postsecondary business professors was about $113,240 in 2023. Pay varies depending on the type of institution, location, and experience, but professors who publish research, consult, or move into administrative leadership often earn more.
Long-Term Career Stability
Most professors enjoy steady, fulfilling careers. Along with teaching, many take part in research projects, write for academic journals, or step into administrative leadership. The profession allows room to grow while providing security that many other business careers do not.
How to Become a Business Professor
The path to becoming a professor requires both education and experience. It begins with a bachelor’s degree in business or a related field such as accounting, finance, or marketing. From there, many pursue a graduate degree like an MBA or a master’s program in human resource management, analytics, or organizational leadership.
Professional experience is equally important. Time spent in business roles adds credibility in the classroom and helps professors connect theory to practice. Teaching experience, gained through tutoring, adjunct roles, or graduate teaching assistantships, also builds confidence working with students.
To teach at a four-year university, a doctoral degree is usually required. Programs such as a Doctor of Management or Doctor of Business Administration prepare graduates for advanced teaching, research, and leadership roles. Touro University Worldwide (TUW) offers an online Doctor of Management program that blends theory, applied research, and dissertation work. Concentrations such as Strategic Innovation and Organizational Leadership allow professionals to tailor their studies while preparing for careers in academia or executive leadership.
Building a strong research record is also key. Publishing articles, presenting at conferences, and contributing to business scholarships help establish credibility and strengthen applications for faculty positions. Continuing education, certifications, and professional organization involvement keep professors current in a rapidly changing business world.
Skills and Career Paths for Business Professors
The most effective professors combine deep subject knowledge with clear communication and strong mentoring skills. They guide students through complex material, support career development, and model leadership. Research and writing remain important as well, since publications and academic contributions often play a role in career advancement.
Career opportunities span community colleges, universities, and growing online education programs. Professors may also move into consulting, corporate training, or publishing, applying their expertise beyond the classroom. This range of career paths allows business professors to shape both education and the wider business community.
Is Becoming a Business Professor Right for You?
The journey takes dedication, but for those who enjoy mentoring, research, and sharing their expertise, it can be a fulfilling career. Business professors earn competitive pay, enjoy career stability, and make a lasting impact on students. For professionals ready to combine business knowledge with teaching, the role offers both purpose and opportunity.
