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.

$83,980
Median Annual Pay
Jobs growth:
+7% projected 2024โ€“2034

What They Do

Psychology professors shape the next generation of mental health professionals and researchers through teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in topics like abnormal psychology, cognitive development, research methods, and psychological assessment. They prepare and deliver lectures, lead classroom discussions, and create assignments that help students understand human behavior, mental processes, and therapeutic techniques. Beyond the classroom, they hold office hours to advise students on academic progress and career paths, grade papers and exams, and serve on departmental committees. Many also conduct original research in their area of expertise, publishing findings in academic journals and presenting at professional conferences. They may supervise student research projects or mentor graduate students pursuing advanced degrees.

Programs That Prepare You

College programs linked to this occupation, ranked by graduate earnings

Psychology(doctoral)University of Georgia, GA
$138,375
Research and Experimental Psychology(masters)Alliant International University-San Diego, CA
$123,985
Psychology(doctoral)Claremont Graduate University, CA
$100,495
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology(professional)Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus, NJ
$97,464
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology(doctoral)University of Kentucky, KY
$94,684
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology(doctoral)Hofstra University, NY
$94,561
Psychology(doctoral)North Carolina State University at Raleigh, NC
$93,805
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology(doctoral)Seattle Pacific University, WA
$91,584
Research and Experimental Psychology(doctoral)Ohio State University-Main Campus, OH
$91,275
Psychology(doctoral)Azusa Pacific University, CA
$91,052
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology(masters)Chapman University, CA
$90,639
Psychology(doctoral)Grand Canyon University, AZ
$90,518
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology(doctoral)St. John's University-New York, NY
$90,027
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology(doctoral)Arizona State University Campus Immersion, AZ
$89,485
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology(doctoral)Arizona State University Digital Immersion, AZ
$89,485
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology(doctoral)University of North Dakota, ND
$89,256
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology(doctoral)University of North Texas, TX
$88,912
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology(doctoral)Florida Institute of Technology, FL
$88,733
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology(doctoral)Fuller Theological Seminary, CA
$88,713
Psychology(doctoral)George Mason University, VA
$88,377
Psychology(doctoral)Florida International University, FL
$88,263
Behavioral Sciences(masters)Harvard University, MA
$87,946
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology(doctoral)University of St Thomas, MN
$87,867
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology(doctoral)Northern Arizona University, AZ
$87,170
Psychology(doctoral)Northern Illinois University, IL
$86,837

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