A career as an English professor is a journey combining academics with a passion for literature and teaching. Earning the credentials needed to become a professor is usually long, requiring approximately 9 to 12 years of post-secondary education and experience. You’ll typically need a bachelor's degree (4 years), a master's degree (2 years), and a doctoral degree (3–6 years), plus hands-on teaching experience. Find out what qualifications you need in different teaching circumstances and how many years you can expect to spend on education.
4 Years
Bachelor's Degree
2 years
Master's Degree
3-6 years
Doctoral Degree
Be prepared to invest many years in your education, learning not only about the subject you’ll be teaching, but about pedagogy and being an effective teacher as well. Some may plan this entire career journey from the outset, while others may decide to continue pursuing the next level of accreditation as their personal and professional lives develop.
Understanding the Role of an English Professor
English professors teach undergraduate and graduate students in colleges and universities. They conduct courses in English literature, composition, creative writing and related topics. Mentoring students is also a common role for professors in all areas. As a mentor, English professors advise students on academics and career path options, as well as personal development related to their creative or scholarly projects.
The exact number of years can vary per person, depending on specific programs, whether the student is attending courses full time or part time, and if they take any gap years in between degrees. Typically, it takes a minimum of 9-12 years.
Outside the classroom, they typically conduct and publish scholarly research and/or creative works, contribute to academic committees and aid in departmental service. English professors lead seminars, both as courses and at conventions and conferences.
In Canada, university professors generally require a doctoral degree in their field of specialization. Lecturers may be able to teach with a master’s degree. In both cases, relevant teaching experience is required.
Bachelor's Degree in English or Related Field (4 years)
To begin, a bachelor’s degree in English, literature or a closely related field is preferred. These years are spent developing your skills in critical analysis, critical theory and academic writing. Experience can be gained through tutoring, joining literary clubs, writing for campus publications, assisting professors with research or with internships.
It is important to note that earning any undergraduate degree with a strong GPA can make you eligible for a master’s program in English. Many students change their trajectories after completing a bachelor’s degree program. No matter what subject you pursue, graduating with a 3.0 GPA or higher can help you secure admission to a master’s program later on. You can bolster your chance of admission by independently studying English and literature, taking individual courses, or working in the field, for example as an assistant.
No. Many people switch academic paths after getting their bachelor's degree. You can even pursue professorship without a Master's in English or a related subject, but it's more difficult. You must have a master's or Ph.D. in English, literature, or a related subject, however.
Master's Degree in English (2-3 years)
Most master’s programs take 2 years to finish, but can take longer for part-time students. For aspiring English professors, a master’s program allows you to choose a specialty such as Canadian literature, postcolonial studies or rhetoric. Graduate students develop research and academic writing skills through a thesis or major project. You’ll build your teaching portfolio by working as a teaching assistant, leading discussions, grading papers and completing internships.
Some community colleges and specific university lecturer roles hire instructors with just a master’s degree. This can be a good choice to try out, both for more teaching experience and to see if you really want to pursue more education in the subject to become a full-fledged professor.
Doctoral Degree (Ph.D.) in English (3-6 years)
Most tenure-track university positions require a Ph.D. Doctoral programs ensure graduates have experience with advanced coursework, understanding what makes a good, effective class from both the student’s and professor’s perspectives. Through teaching assistantships and possibly even adjunct teaching, students gain the relevant experience needed to be an effective educator. Rigorous tests and a dissertation ensure candidates are fully competent before being awarded their degree.
Program length can vary by institution, research topic, funding, previous education and the pace at which you personally learn and submit work. If you have a master’s degree in a related subject, it may take less time to finish the program. Note that you don’t necessarily need to have a master’s in English or literature to pursue a doctorate, but it helps.
Factors Influencing the Timeline
Many students going through the bachelor’s to Ph.D. timeline face challenges and choices that prolong their studies. That’s not a bad thing! Rather than focusing only on the end goal of securing a tenured position as an English professor, remember that each step of the way has a lot to offer in both personal and professional development. Treating your education journey as an element of life to balance with other things, rather than as the only thing, is critical.
Part-Time vs. Full-Time Study
Studying part-time at any step of the journey extends the timeline. Instead of 4 years for a bachelor’s, it can take 5-8 years. Instead of a 2-year master’s program, it can take 3-4 years. Doctorate programs can take 5-8 years to finish.
Many students work as teaching assistants or have outside jobs or other commitments and responsibilities that can make it impossible to study full-time for their entire academic career. These things often provide valuable experience and are necessary to provide a quality of life and source of income.
though most institutions do not have a specific hourly requirement
Field of Specialization
Certain areas may require additional time for study. Specialties such as digital humanities, archival research or interdisciplinary projects can take additional months or years to develop a well-researched and written thesis. Data collection, field research and collaboration are the usual elements that take up more time.
Institutional Requirements
Depending on the institution and specific position, there may be different structures across colleges and universities. The most common requirements are easy to remember:
- Ph.D. required for professor positions
- Master’s required for lecturer positions
Some schools may even have positions available for bachelor’s degree holders, though they will not be at the same level as a tenured professor; this can be a good option for gaining experience and taking a break between degrees, however.
In any case, funding availability, your relationship with supervisors and other faculty, and departmental expectations can affect how quickly you advance. Many institutions allow adjunct teaching or teaching assistant jobs while you pursue a degree from the same university (or even a different one, in some cases).
Gaining Teaching and Research Experience
Teaching experience is required for pursuing higher degrees, like master’s and doctorate, but also for securing a position as a professor at a college or university. Over the course of your education, teaching experience should be included in the form of internships and teaching assistant programs. But don’t only rely on the requirements set by your academic institution; it’s wise to seek your own opportunities whenever possible to make your CV more impressive and gain valuable experience.
Teaching Assistantships and Lectureships
Graduate programs usually include paid teaching assistantships. These roles allow you to lead class tutorials and simple lectures with the supervision of an experienced professor. You can usually also grade assignments, which is valuable experience as a teacher or professor at any level. Some doctorate programs also allow candidates to participate in or lead seminars.
This experience is critical for building a teaching philosophy and personal approach. You’ll also need to collect student evaluations for feedback and submitting to the department, and assemble a teaching dossier. All these materials are necessary for academic job applications.
I must say that my teachers have inspired me to choose this field. I chose this field because of my love for literature.
Esin Akalın, Assistant Professor at Istanbul Kültür University
Publishing Scholarly Work
During your master’s and Ph.D. programs, you’ll need to conduct research and publish papers in peer-reviewed journals. Publishing research opens you up to invitations to present lectures at conferences, which provides valuable experience and credentials. Attending conferences as a guest is also important for networking and learning.
A strong publication record demonstrates your ability to contribute to the field as well as your competence. It’s often a major factor in hiring decisions, so be sure to put forth a healthy body of well-researched and well-written works. Many candidates turn their dissertations into a book or series of articles, especially at research-intensive universities, to showcase their fully-realized ideas.
peer-reviewed works per year
Navigating the Job Market
After completing your Ph.D., you’ll need to work out a plan for employment. While careers as educators in respected universities are usually rather secure, getting in can be difficult. Here are some ways you can strengthen your CV, make important networking connections and find gainful employment between ideal jobs.
Postdoctoral Fellowships
Some Ph.D. candidates and graduates pursue postdoctoral fellowships as a way to gain even more experience and get a foot in the door. These are temporary positions (usually 1-2 years) that provide time for refining research and publishing, as well as teaching. A postdoc strengthens your CV and profile in a competitive market, but they are not typically mandatory. In Canada, postdoctoral opportunities in English literature are less common than opportunities in the sciences, but they exist.
I got into English in the first place because when I read something I want to see what other people think about it. Our students tell us what they think about it.
Sarah Winters, Associate Professor at Nipissing University
Applying for Tenure-Track Positions
The most common way to get onto the tenure track is to start as an assistant professor. You’ll gain experience from the full-time staff, teaching, and evaluating assignments. Perform well to gain a good reputation and increase your credibility with the institution; it’ll be easier to switch to a tenured role.
Applications require:
- Cover letter
- Curriculum vitae
- Teaching dossier
- Research statement
- Writing sample
- References
Be sure to tailor your application materials to the specific institution’s mission, student population and courses currently offered.
The interview process usually includes job talk, a teaching demonstration and meetings with faculty and students. It helps to have pre-existing connections with faculty or administration to learn about openings and secure strong references. Attend conferences, meet with mentors, and get involved with scholarly associations to build your network.
Alternative Pathways and Considerations
Though becoming a tenured English professor at a university is often thought of as the only end-goal, there are actually several other tracks you can explore. If you goal is just to become a respected teacher and help students learn, you do not need to limit yourself to just one job title at one type of institution.
Community College Positions
Many community colleges hire instructors with a master’s degree for teaching-focused roles. These positions are focused on classroom instruction, student support and curriculum development rather than research. If your primary goal is to teach, not research, this can be a faster path to a rewarding career. It’s also a great holdover between degrees for you to gain more teaching experience and evaluate what your next steps could be.
Online and Adjunct Teaching Opportunities
Adjunct and sessional roles offer flexibility for building teaching experience while you complete your degree or search for a full-time position. Online teaching is increasingly valued and available, as many programs offer fully remote or hybrid courses. You may need only a master’s degree, or for some roles, even just a bachelor’s.
Taking these roles helps you determine if pursuing additional education is something you’re interested in and can help you build a network. Note that many of these types of roles are paid per course and may not include many benefits or long-term security. It’s best to see them as short-term stepping-stones to hold you over while you make more permanent plans.
The answer to “how many years does it take to become a professor” can vary based on your specific goals and how much time you can commit to academia. No matter what, it’s a long-term commitment, but it offers a meaningful career for those who love literature, writing, researching and teaching. Anticipate 9-12 years of education, plus any additional time needed for publishing and gaining teaching experience. Be sure to seek mentorship during your academics, publish worthwhile papers early and often, and gain as much classroom experience as possible.
References
- Canada, Employment and Social Development. Lecturer - University in Canada | Job Requirements - Job Bank. 21 July 2026, www.jobbank.gc.ca/marketreport/requirements/4655/ca. Accessed 30 July. 2026.
- “How To Become an English Professor in 6 Steps.” Indeed.com, 16 June 2026, www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/how-to-become-english-professor. Accessed 30 July. 2026.
- “University Professors and Lecturers | WorkBC.” WorkBC, www.workbc.ca/career-profiles/university-professors-and-lecturers#education. Accessed 30 July. 2026.
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