Academic Careers
Teaching and research positions in higher education
Average Salary
$120K - $200K
Job Growth
+18%
DBA Requirement
Essential
Overview
Academic careers offer DBA graduates the opportunity to shape future business leaders while contributing to knowledge creation. Your DBA is often required for tenure-track positions and provides the credibility needed for research, teaching, and academic leadership roles. Balance intellectual freedom with the stability of academic life.
Academic Positions
Clinical Professor
Practice-focused teaching with industry experience
Research Professor
Tenure-track position with research requirements
Adjunct Faculty
Part-time teaching while maintaining industry role
Department Chair
Academic leadership and program administration
Program Director
Oversee specific degree programs or initiatives
Dean/Associate Dean
Senior academic administration and strategy
Types of Institutions
Research Universities (R1)
- • Heavy research requirements (2-3 papers/year)
- • 2-2 or 2-3 teaching load
- • PhD student supervision
- • Grant writing expected
Teaching Universities
- • Focus on classroom excellence
- • 3-3 or 4-4 teaching load
- • Less research pressure
- • Student mentoring emphasis
Liberal Arts Colleges
- • Small class sizes
- • Close student relationships
- • Interdisciplinary opportunities
- • Balanced teaching/research
Community Colleges
- • Teaching-only positions
- • 5-5 teaching load typical
- • Focus on practical skills
- • Diverse student population
Requirements & Qualifications
- ✓DBA or PhD from accredited institution (required)
- ✓Teaching experience (graduate assistantships count)
- ✓Published research in peer-reviewed journals
- ✓Industry experience (valuable for clinical positions)
- ✓Strong communication and presentation skills
Benefits of Academic Life
- →Intellectual freedom and autonomy
- →Summers off (or additional compensation)
- →Sabbaticals for research and renewal
- →Job security through tenure
- →Impact on next generation of leaders
- →Opportunities for consulting and speaking
Academic Career Timeline
Publishing & Research
Research Expectations by Tier
- Top Tier (R1): 2-3 A-journal publications per year
- Mid Tier: 1-2 publications per year in good journals
- Teaching Focus: 1 publication per year or pedagogical research
- Clinical Track: Industry reports, case studies, practitioner articles
Start Your Academic Journey
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