Types of psychology teachers
Dasha Bunks
Liberty University
PSYC 775 - Teaching of Psychology
Dr. Winn
2022
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.
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.
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
