Job Information of Psychology Teacher
Dasha Bunks
Liberty University
PSYC 775 - Teaching of Psychology
Dr. Winn
2022
Job Information of Psychology Teacher
If you’re fascinated with human behavior and you enjoy working with young adults, you might
think about becoming a psychology teacher. Psychology teachers educate students in the basic concepts
of why people act the way they do. The science of psychology studies human behavior based on
observational analysis, the scientific method and psychological theories. Students learn about different
types of psychological approaches to understanding and managing human actions.
Most psychology teachers work in high schools and postsecondary institutions. The majority of
teachers primarily focus on instruction, but those who work in colleges or universities may also be
professional psychologists. College instructors may work as counselors, clinical psychologists and
researchers.
Who makes a good psychology teacher?
Good psychology teachers need to be:
Patient
Persistent
Organized
Well-spoken
Able to motivate
Dedicated to their specialty
Strong communicators
Knowledgeable on psychology practice and theory
Psychology teacher job description
If you work as a psychology teacher, you will probably end up instructing on the high school or college
level. The work environment will differ based on the level of instruction and the particular school.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), most high school teachers work in public or
private schools. High school teachers can expect to work outside of school hours grading papers and
tests but usually do not work during summer months.
Psychology professors have a much different work environment. Those who teach psychology at the
college level may work in universities, colleges, community colleges and vocational schools during hours
set by the institution. Time outside of class is often devoted to psychological research or clinical work
settings.
If you decide to work as a psychology teacher, you can expect to spend most of the day working with
students. Teachers should expect to spend time providing lectures, assisting students with class
activities, answering questions and getting the students involved in psychological experiments. The exact
nature of classes will vary based on the level of instruction and the type of psychology students are
exploring in the class.
Teaching at various levels
High school psychology teachers
High school psychology teachers develop courses introducing students to the basics of psychology.
Courses provide an overview of leading theorists in the field of psychology and describe current
knowledge on the workings of the human mind. Students may learn about common psychological
disorders and study where intelligence comes from.
Continue reading to learn more about high school psychology teachers
Postsecondary psychology teachers
Postsecondary psychology teachers work in colleges and universities. In addition to teaching a wide
variety of courses in psychology, they may also conduct research and mentor students
Continue reading to learn more about postsecondary/college computer psychology teachers
