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Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary
Teach courses in computer science. May specialize in a field of computer science, such as the design and function of computers or operations and research analysis. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Other titles employers use
Assistant Professor · Associate Professor · Computer Information Systems Instructor (CIS Instructor) · Computer Science Instructor · Computer Science Professor · Faculty Member · Information Technology Instructor (IT Instructor) · Instructor
Inside the work
What you would actually do.
6 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.
- Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
- Compile, administer, and grade examinations or assign this work to others.
- Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as programming, data structures, and software design.
- Evaluate and grade students' class work, laboratory work, assignments, and papers.
- Maintain student attendance records, grades, and other required records.
- Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.
Who it suits
Would this work hold your attention?
This career often appeals to people drawn to helping, analytical and organizing work.
- Analytical
- Investigating questions, testing ideas, and solving problems
- Organizing
- Creating order, checking details, and keeping work accurate
Skills and strengths
What you would get good at.
Compare the skills the work relies on, the subjects behind it, and the abilities that make it easier to learn.
Core skills
- Instructing
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
- Speaking
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
Subjects to know
- Computers and Electronics
- Education and Training
- English Language
- Customer and Personal Service
- Mathematics
Useful strengths
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Written Comprehension
- Written Expression
- Deductive Reasoning
Working day
Picture yourself doing it.
These measures show how much of the day involves people, movement, conversation, and hands-on work.
| Measure | Out of 5 | What that means here |
|---|---|---|
| Close to other people | 2.9 | Largely your own space |
| On your feet | 2.2 | Mostly seated |
| Talking face to face | 4.6 | Continuous — the job is conversations |
| Working with your hands | 1.9 | Little of the day |
Preparation
How people prepare for this work.
Employers usually ask for a doctorate or a professional degree. Other routes may also lead into the field.
- A master's degree 47%
- A doctorate or professional degree 42%
- A four-year degree 11%
Tools of the work
Technology you may use.
- Object or component oriented development software
- Development environment software
- Word processing software
- Web platform development software
- Operating system software
- Data base user interface and query software
- Electronic mail software
- Graphics or photo imaging software
Opportunity near you
See where this work is growing.
Choose a state to compare the size of the field, annual openings, and expected hiring change.
- People doing this work
- 4,710
- Job openings each year
- 80
- Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
- 21.1%
Compare every available state
| State | People doing it | Job openings each year | Expected change |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | 4,710 | 80 | 21.1% |
| California | 4,200 | 350 | 10.5% |
| Texas | 2,800 | 240 | 11.1% |
| Florida | 2,720 | 230 | 13.8% |
| Pennsylvania | 2,040 | 160 | 4.1% |
| Illinois | 1,710 | 140 | 3.6% |
| Virginia | 1,600 | 130 | 5.3% |
| North Carolina | 1,530 | 130 | 11.7% |
| Maryland | 1,200 | 100 | 15.4% |
| Indiana | 1,180 | 100 | 7.3% |
| Colorado | 920 | 80 | 21.1% |
| Ohio | 860 | 70 | 2.4% |
| Alabama | 850 | 70 | 10.4% |
| Utah | 830 | 80 | 25.8% |
| Arizona | 800 | 70 | 8.1% |
| Michigan | 780 | 60 | 5.4% |
| Washington | 780 | 80 | 13.0% |
| Wisconsin | 780 | 70 | 8.3% |
| Tennessee | 680 | 60 | 21.4% |
| Missouri | 630 | 50 | 5.0% |
| Connecticut | 540 | 50 | 10.2% |
| Georgia | 530 | 40 | 10.4% |
| Iowa | 520 | 40 | 10.6% |
| Massachusetts | 520 | 50 | 15.6% |
| Oklahoma | 430 | 30 | — |
| Minnesota | 410 | 30 | 2.5% |
| South Carolina | 410 | 40 | 13.9% |
| Oregon | 390 | 30 | 8.3% |
| Arkansas | 330 | 30 | 3.1% |
| Rhode Island | 290 | 20 | 7.4% |
| Kentucky | 270 | 20 | 3.8% |
| District of Columbia | 240 | 20 | 9.1% |
| Kansas | 240 | 20 | 9.1% |
| New Mexico | 240 | 20 | 9.1% |
| Delaware | 230 | 20 | 15.0% |
| Louisiana | 200 | 20 | 11.1% |
| Nebraska | 190 | 20 | — |
| Mississippi | 180 | 20 | 12.5% |
| Puerto Rico | 160 | 10 | 14.3% |
| South Dakota | 160 | 10 | 6.7% |
| West Virginia | 160 | 10 | — |
| Maine | 130 | 10 | — |
| New Hampshire | 130 | 10 | 8.3% |
| Idaho | 110 | 10 | 10.0% |
| North Dakota | 70 | 10 | — |
| Montana | 60 | 10 | — |
| Vermont | 60 | 0 | 20.0% |
| Wyoming | 40 | 0 | 33.3% |
Career to college
Build a path toward this work.
Start with a related major, then compare colleges where students complete that field.
Where to study
Colleges with strong activity in these fields.
Start with program size, admission, and likely cost. Open a college for the full picture.
Western Governors University
- Degrees each year
- 3,627
- Admit rate
- Not reported
- Annual cost after aid
- $13,000
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
- Degrees each year
- 1,398
- Admit rate
- 18%
- Annual cost after aid
- $5,000
University of Maryland Global Campus
- Degrees each year
- 2,558
- Admit rate
- Not reported
- Annual cost after aid
- —
The University of Texas at Dallas
- Degrees each year
- 1,131
- Admit rate
- 65%
- Annual cost after aid
- $14,000
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus
- Degrees each year
- 1,083
- Admit rate
- 16%
- Annual cost after aid
- $11,000
University of California-Berkeley
- Degrees each year
- 1,731
- Admit rate
- 12%
- Annual cost after aid
- $10,000
Southern New Hampshire University
- Degrees each year
- 1,597
- Admit rate
- 96%
- Annual cost after aid
- $37,000
University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Degrees each year
- 943
- Admit rate
- 43%
- Annual cost after aid
- $8,000
Compare every college offering management information systems and services