3 answers
Lilliana
Student
Herkimer, New York
1
Question
Asked
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What are my next steps to becoming a professor after receiving a BS in pre-med biology in Spring 2026 ?
I am graduating from a 4-year university in only 3 years next spring! What should I be researching or keeping an eye out for when looking for masters programs?
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3 answers
Joseph Ford
193
Answers
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Updated
Joseph’s Answer
Get a job and continue on for your master's and/or PHD. Don't mean to be short but this is to the point.
Paul Treuhaft, MD, MA
Retired surgeon who replaced hips and knees
50
Answers
Santa Rosa, California
Updated
Paul’s Answer
Lilliana, You will need a PhD or a MD if you wish to be a professor. It is not clear if you hope to work in the medical field or if your interest is in pre-medical biology.
If you are interested in teaching biology, you need to decide what area of biology you wish to study and work in, and apply to graduate school at the best place for you to study whast you are most interested in. If your interest is in teaching biology to nursing students or medical students, you can persue a PhD, or you can chose to get an MD degree or a nursing degree. Taking this course will take longer and cost more, but it will also give you much more flexibility as you persue your career. I am a doctor, and I do tend to prefer this choice because it will give you more flexibility as you persue your career.
You will certainly need to discuss this in detail with your parents, but you would also do well to discuss it with every counselor available to you at your school, and it would be worth your while to try to talk to your family dsoctor and any other doctors you may know, as well as any nursed or other people you may know with PhD degrees in any field.
Paul nS. Treuhaft, MD, MA
If you are interested in teaching biology, you need to decide what area of biology you wish to study and work in, and apply to graduate school at the best place for you to study whast you are most interested in. If your interest is in teaching biology to nursing students or medical students, you can persue a PhD, or you can chose to get an MD degree or a nursing degree. Taking this course will take longer and cost more, but it will also give you much more flexibility as you persue your career. I am a doctor, and I do tend to prefer this choice because it will give you more flexibility as you persue your career.
You will certainly need to discuss this in detail with your parents, but you would also do well to discuss it with every counselor available to you at your school, and it would be worth your while to try to talk to your family dsoctor and any other doctors you may know, as well as any nursed or other people you may know with PhD degrees in any field.
Paul nS. Treuhaft, MD, MA
Thank you so much for your answer! I wasn’t quite sure about something you mentioned in your answer - would you mind clarifying? In your response, you mentioned the PhD the MD/nursing degree route. Which one do you think will take longer and do you recommend the PhD program?
Lilliana
The MD path is likely the longest. Becoming a doctor takes 4 years of college, 4 years of medical school, and then 4 years or more of residency, which is essentially an apprenticeship where you learn your specialty. The time difference required to get a PhD is variable, because it requires that you complete a research project, which does not have a specific time frame. There are a number of different paths to a career in nursing, and this is the field I know the least about, so if this is of interest to you it would be good if you could find a nurse to talk to about it.
Paul S. Treuhaft MD,MA
Paul Treuhaft, MD, MA
Charlotte Geiger
Public Health Science Student at the University of Maryland
151
Answers
Sykesville, Maryland
Updated
Charlotte’s Answer
Hi Lilliana,
Congratulations — graduating early is a huge accomplishment! If you want to become a professor after earning your BS in pre-med biology, here’s your clear next steps:
After your bachelor's, you’ll most likely need to pursue a PhD (not just a master's) if you want to become a full professor at a university. A master's alone usually isn’t enough for a long-term teaching or research career at the college level, though some community colleges may hire with a master’s.
Right now, you should start:
Researching PhD programs in biology, biomedical sciences, or a field you’re passionate about. Look at schools that offer strong research opportunities and faculty whose work interests you.
Considering master's programs only if you feel you need more research experience, a stronger academic record, or time to specialize before applying to PhD programs.
Gaining research experience by working in a lab during your senior year, if you haven't already — PhD programs expect this.
Building relationships with professors who can write you strong letters of recommendation.
Preparing for the GRE if the programs you’re looking at still require it (some have dropped it, but not all).
If you’re aiming straight for a PhD after your BS (which many do), look for programs that offer full funding (stipend + tuition waiver) — you shouldn’t have to pay for a good PhD in biology.
Congratulations — graduating early is a huge accomplishment! If you want to become a professor after earning your BS in pre-med biology, here’s your clear next steps:
After your bachelor's, you’ll most likely need to pursue a PhD (not just a master's) if you want to become a full professor at a university. A master's alone usually isn’t enough for a long-term teaching or research career at the college level, though some community colleges may hire with a master’s.
Right now, you should start:
Researching PhD programs in biology, biomedical sciences, or a field you’re passionate about. Look at schools that offer strong research opportunities and faculty whose work interests you.
Considering master's programs only if you feel you need more research experience, a stronger academic record, or time to specialize before applying to PhD programs.
Gaining research experience by working in a lab during your senior year, if you haven't already — PhD programs expect this.
Building relationships with professors who can write you strong letters of recommendation.
Preparing for the GRE if the programs you’re looking at still require it (some have dropped it, but not all).
If you’re aiming straight for a PhD after your BS (which many do), look for programs that offer full funding (stipend + tuition waiver) — you shouldn’t have to pay for a good PhD in biology.