Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary

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.

Sample of reported job titles: Adjunct Instructor, Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, Clinical Psychology Professor, Faculty Member, Instructor, Lecturer, Professor, Psychology Instructor, Psychology Professor

Occupation-Specific Information

Tasks Save Table: XLSX CSV

ImportanceCategoryTask
86
 
Core
Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as abnormal psychology, cognitive processes, and work motivation.
83
 
Core
Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
83
 
Core
Evaluate and grade students' class work, laboratory work, assignments, and papers.
82
 
Core
Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.
80
 
Core
Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.
80
 
Core
Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
79
 
Core
Supervise undergraduate or graduate teaching, internship, and research work.
76
 
Core
Recruit and hire new faculty.
75
 
Core
Plan, evaluate, and revise curricula, course content, course materials, and methods of instruction.
73
 
Core
Conduct research in a particular field of knowledge and publish findings in professional journals, books, or electronic media.
69
 
Core
Develop and use multimedia course materials and other current technology, such as online courses.
67
 
Core
Maintain regularly scheduled office hours to advise and assist students.
65
 
Core
Perform administrative duties, such as serving as department head.
65
 
Core
Collaborate with colleagues to address teaching and research issues.
64
 
Core
Advise students on academic and vocational curricula and on career issues.
63
 
Core
Write grant proposals to procure external research funding.
61
 
Core
Maintain student attendance records, grades, and other required records.
61
 
Core
Write letters of recommendation for students.
61
 
Core
Serve on academic or administrative committees that deal with institutional policies, departmental matters, and academic issues.
60
 
Core
Participate in student recruitment, registration, and placement activities.
59
 
Core
Select and obtain materials and supplies, such as textbooks.
78
 
Supplemental
Supervise students' laboratory work.
75
 
Supplemental
Supervise the clinical work of practicum students.
71
 
Supplemental
Provide clinical services to clients, such as assessing psychological problems and conducting psychotherapy.

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Worker Requirements

Education

How much education does a new hire need to perform a job in this occupation? Respondents said:

  • 55%
     
    responded: Doctoral degree required
  • 31%
     
    responded: Post-doctoral training required
  • 15%
     
    responded: Master’s degree required

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Worker Characteristics

Interests Save Table: XLSX CSV

Occupational InterestInterest
100
 
Social — Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities.
76
 
Investigative — Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.

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Workforce Characteristics

Wages & Employment Trends

Median wages (2023)
$82,140 annual
State wages
Local wages
Employment (2022)
50,900 employees
Projected growth (2022-2032)
Faster than average (5% to 8%)
Projected job openings (2022-2032)
4,300
State trends
Top industries (2022)
Educational Services (100% employed in this sector)

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics 2023 wage data external site and 2022-2032 employment projections external site. “Projected growth” represents the estimated change in total employment over the projections period (2022-2032). “Projected job openings” represent openings due to growth and replacement.

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Job Openings on the Web

State job openings
Local job openings

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