There are a few steps you need to take in order to become a psychology teacher. First, you should make sure that you have the proper education and training. Most states require that you have at least a bachelor’s degree in psychology, but some schools will also accept other majors related to psychology, such as sociology or education. In addition to your bachelor’s degree, some states may require that you obtain additional training or certifications in order to be eligible for employment as an educator.
Next, you will need to apply for jobs at various schools across the nation. Some schools may require that applicants have teaching experience before they are hired; others do not. The application process varies from school to school and can take anywhere from two weeks to six months or longer before being approved.
Once you receive an offer from a school, it is important that you negotiate terms that are fair for both parties involved since most jobs offer competitive salaries with great benefits packages for teachers who have worked their way up through the ranks (i.e., starting out as an assistant instructor before becoming a full-time professor).
How To Become Psychology Teacher
Psychology teachers help students learn about the human mind, human behavior and how the two often intertwine. Teaching the principles of psychology can be a rewarding career, whether teaching at a high school or university. In this article, we discuss what a psychology teacher does, the skills and traits needed and the steps to take to become a psychology teacher at different levels in education.
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What does a psychology teacher do?
Psychology teachers instruct students on concepts of human behaviors and why people act the way they do. Through observational analysis, the scientific method and psychological theories, they explain different psychological conditions, therapies and treatments. The depth of instruction varies by the grade level or focus of study.
Some general duties of a psychology teacher include:
- Creating lesson plans and materials
- Developing curriculum with colleagues
- Grading papers, exams and other assignments
- Advising students on coursework or goals
- Working with school committees
- Supporting extracurricular activities
- Teaching summer courses
- Staying up-to-date with research in psychology
- Conducting research or experiments
- Publishing in academic fields
- Serving on collegiate committees
- Supervising graduate students
Types of psychology teachers
Psychology teachers can work within different levels of education, including:
High school psychology teacher
Many psychology teachers work in public or private high schools. Here, you introduce students to the basics of psychology, like common disorders or the concept of intelligence and where it comes from. You may even teach Advanced Placement (AP) courses, like AP Psychology, that are more in-depth and rigorous. Expect to work outside of school hours as a psychology teacher, planning lessons or grading papers, though you often enjoy the summer months off.
To work as a psychology teacher, you need a bachelor’s degree, teaching experience and a teaching license.
College psychology professor
Psychology teachers at the collegiate level are professors, and you can work full time or as a part-time adjunct professor in various educational settings like:
- Vocational schools
- Community colleges
- Four-year colleges and universities
As a psychology professor, you often are also a clinical psychologist or counselor who sees patients. Though you still spend a majority of time teaching students, you also conduct clinical research or write publications for the academic field of psychology.
To work as a psychology professor, you need a master’s degree and often a doctorate (Ph.D.).
Online psychology teacher
Psychology teachers can lead online programs in a virtual learning environment for high school or college students. You might focus on a specific area of psychology, or you may instruct on general psychology subjects. With online teaching, you also design curriculum and lesson plans and grade your students’ performance.
Credentials and education levels may vary to work as an online psychology teacher.
Traits of good psychology teachers
Here are some skills and traits that make for successful psychology teachers at any level:
- Communication: Giving lectures and presentations requires effective speaking skills, and your ability to publish research or analysis requires excellent writing skills.
- Interpersonal: Working with colleagues and understanding the emotional and educational needs of your students requires strong interpersonal skills.
- Organization: Managing all aspects of teaching while also conducting professional research calls for good time management and strategic planning.
- Dedication: Continuing to improve your knowledge of psychology practice and theory requires a passion for the profession.
- Motivation and enthusiasm: An ability to keep students excited and engaged with lesson material in a way they understand makes you a more effective instructor.
Related: 8 Qualities of a Good Teacher (and Tips for How Develop Them)
How to become a psychology teacher
Here are the steps to take to become a psychology teacher if you’re considering this career path:
1. Earn a bachelor’s degree
Psychology is a common major offered at many colleges and universities, and you can earn either a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science in psychology. Though both offer a strong training in psychology, the Bachelor of Science is often the choice of students who wish to teach or conduct research in the field.
A four-year bachelor’s program covers general education topics, core psychology courses and various electives. Consider taking several classes in social sciences, and select various psychology classes to meet your degree requirements.
Courses offered can include:
- Cognitive psychology
- Development psychology
- Social psychology
- Educational psychology
- Abnormal psychology
- Child development
- Statistics
- Human behavior
- Counseling practices
Related: 22 Different Types of Psychology
2. Complete a student teacher program
Most undergraduate degrees require a student teaching program, regardless of your specialty. The number of semesters or hours spent teaching varies by program, college or state, though most require at least one semester. Student teaching provides real-world experience in a classroom and allows you to learn best practices when educating students about the concepts of psychology. Check with your state or college program to learn more about the student teaching expectations.
3. Consider a master’s degree
Many colleges and universities require a master’s degree to teach psychology at the collegiate level. The two-year program often features more in-depth studies of psychology and additional teaching practicum, like serving as a teaching assistant. Coursework can include:
- Learning planning and assessments
- Educational research
- Psychology of education
- Reading strategies
- Special education
Earning a master’s degree can benefit you as a high school psychology teacher, too, as this can make you a more competitive applicant or increase opportunities for higher pay.
Related: Top 100 Psychology Degree Careers
4. Get licensed
Each state varies with its requirements to be a high school psychology teacher, though all states call for a teaching license after you graduate. Many require passing an exam with a minimum score, and some ask you to complete additional student teaching under the supervision of an already-licensed teacher. While required for public high schools, a teaching certificate isn’t always necessary to teach at private high schools. State licensing does not apply when teaching at a collegiate level.
5. Gain experience
Apply for psychology teacher jobs at institutions that excite you. Some might require you to teach other social sciences besides psychology class, depending on the staffing and capabilities of the school. Look at getting involved with extracurricular activities or summer school courses to augment your amount of experience, particularly in your early years of teaching. You might also consider adjunct work with community colleges.
Start preparing for research opportunities or doctorate programs at this stage if you plan to further advance your career.
6. Join professional associations
There are many professional organizations for psychology teachers, and these groups are a great way to connect with colleagues and build your network, take part in continuing education opportunities and conferences or stay up to date with industry news and events. Here are a few to consider:
- Society for the Teaching of Psychology
- American Psychological Association (APA)
- APA Committee of Teachers of Psychology at Secondary Schools
- American Federation of Teachers
- Psi Chi Honor Society
It’s helpful to continuously develop relations with other teachers at your school or university to gain support, advice or even a mentor.
7. Continue your education
After completing a bachelor’s and master’s degree, consider earning your Ph.D. in psychology, especially if you seek to advance your career in higher education. Earning a Ph.D. requires several more years of study and the completion of a dissertation. A Ph.D. can increase your chances of teaching at the collegiate level and pursuing other opportunities within the field of psychology.
Continue to keep up with changes or developments in psychology by reading scholarly articles, connecting with colleagues or by taking part in professional conferences, panels and online learning.
8. Advance your career
Consider continuing to develop your career with other related positions like:
- School psychologist
- Vice principal
- Principal
- District administrator
- School board member
- Tenured professor
- Department head
- Dean or president
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Salary of a psychology teacher
A high school teacher makes an average of $46,044 per year, whereas collegiate level professors make an average of $64,095 per year. Both averages are often higher in large metropolitan areas, and salaries can vary based on location, title, education levels or company or institution.
