Education and libraries
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.
Median pay
$80,340
Growth to 2035
+4%
about as fast as average
Openings a year
3,700
Time to qualify*
5 years
* From a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field.
Pay
Psychology teachers, postsecondary
Getting in
- Typical entry education
- Doctoral or professional degree
- On-the-job training
- None
- Prior experience
- None
What the work is like
Dealing with the public
Unpleasant or angry people
Time pressure
Cost of a mistake
Freedom to make decisions
Repeating the same tasks
Time sitting
Time standing
Exposure to disease
Psychology teachers, postsecondary: 70% usually work over 40 hours a week
Core tasks
- 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.
- Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
- Supervise undergraduate or graduate teaching, internship, and research work.
- Recruit and hire new faculty.
Also called: Adjunct Instructor · Assistant Professor · Associate Professor · Clinical Psychology Professor · Faculty Member · Instructor · Lecturer · Professor
Outlook and AI
Psychology teachers, postsecondary held 52,300 jobs in 2025. BLS projects 54,400 by 2035 (+4%, about as fast as average; all jobs: +3.5%).
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