All of my work is done on the computer and telephone, where I interact with other faculty and students. I spend a lot of time in committee meetings and work on my research through online surveys and analyzing statistics.
CAREER
Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary
Overview
Salary Median (2020)
$78,180
Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)
+8.8% (as fast as the average)
Most Common Level of Education
Doctoral or professional degree
Career
Roadtrip Nation Leaders in This Career
What Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary Do
Teach courses in psychology, such as child, clinical, and developmental psychology, and psychological counseling. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Other Job Titles Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary May Have
Adjunct Instructor, Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, Clinical Psychology Professor, Faculty Member, Instructor, Lecturer, Professor, Psychology Instructor, Psychology Professor
How Leaders Describe a Typical Day at Work
My day involves online and phone interactions with graduate level psychology students. I interact with a range of faculty members about a diversity of issues.
Tasks & Responsibilities May Include
- Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as abnormal psychology, cognitive processes, and work motivation.
- Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
- Evaluate and grade students' class work, laboratory work, assignments, and papers.
- Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.
- Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.
Education
Level of Education Attained by Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary
Most common level of education among people in
this career: Doctoral or professional degree (47%)
Bachelor's degree
Master's degree
Doctoral or professional degree
Other*
*All other responses combined for clarity.
Majors Related to Career
Educational Paths Suggested by Leaders
Suggested Path
High School
Bachelor
Psychology, General
Graduate
Experimental Psychology
Doctorate
Clinical Psychology
Suggested Path
High School
Bachelor
Psychology, General
Graduate
Counseling Psychology
Doctorate
Counseling Psychology
Additional Skills & Experiences That Can Help You Excel
Being able to use computers, and software. It helps to have experience teaching in-person and online.
You need social skills and the ability to truly connect with others at a fundamental level.
Getting Started
Recommended First Step for:
College Students
Learn about all aspects of psychology and statistics.
Take courses in psychology, biology, and anatomy.
Explore all the possible degrees and programs that could help you achieve your goals. Most goals/careers can be achieved with a variety of paths, and choosing the one that fits your lifestyle and needs will make it more likely for you to succeed. Interview and shadow people with jobs you are interested in. Differentiate between similar careers to determine which is best for you. For example, learn the nuances between school counselors, school psychologists, and school social workers.
Working as a teaching or research assistant would be useful to anyone interested in a career in higher education. Also, focusing on academic performance is valuable as it opens up other doors of opportunity in graduate programs.
Everyone
This page includes information from theO*NET 26.1 Databaseby the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under theCC BY 4.0license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
