Professor of Psychology Jobs & Career Guide 2023

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By PsychologyJobs.com Staff Writer
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What is a professor of psychology?

A professor of psychology is an academic faculty member who teaches courses in psychology and conducts research in the field. They typically work at a university or college, where they may be responsible for teaching undergraduate and/or graduate courses, advising students, conducting research, and contributing to the academic community through publications and presentations.

In addition to teaching and research, professors of psychology may also be responsible for other academic activities, such as serving on committees, participating in departmental meetings, and engaging in outreach activities to promote the field of psychology.

To become a professor of psychology, you will need to hold doctoral degree in psychology or a related field, and typically have significant research experience and publications in the field.

“Being a psychology professor is a very rewarding career. It offers the opportunity to work with students and colleagues on interesting and important research questions, to share knowledge and expertise, and to make a positive impact on people’s lives. At the same time, it can be challenging and demanding, requiring a lot of hard work, dedication, and creativity. But for those who are passionate about psychology and committed to making a difference in the field, being a psychology professor is a fulfilling and meaningful career.”

Dr. Amy Briesch, Associate Professor of Psychology at the University of Maryland.

What are the day to day responsibilities of a professor of psychology?

  • Teaching courses: Professors of psychology typically teach undergraduate and/or graduate courses in psychology, including courses on specific topics within the field. This may involve developing course materials, delivering lectures, leading discussions, and evaluating student performance.
  • Conducting research: Professors of psychology are expected to conduct research in their area of expertise, often in collaboration with graduate students or other colleagues. This may involve writing grant proposals, collecting and analyzing data, and presenting findings at conferences or in academic journals.
  • Advising students: Professors may advise students on academic and career matters, such as course selection, research opportunities, and job prospects.
  • Contributing to the academic community: participate in various activities that contribute to the academic community, such as serving on committees, organizing conferences, reviewing manuscripts for academic journals, and mentoring junior colleagues.
  • Engaging in professional development: engage in ongoing professional development to stay up-to-date with developments in the field, such as attending conferences, workshops, or continuing education courses.

Here is what the day of a professor of psychology might look like:

8:00 AM – 9:00 AM: Respond to emails, review and prepare for the day’s lectures and meetings

9:00 AM – 10:30 AM: Teach undergraduate course on social psychology

10:30 AM – 11:00 AM: Meet with a graduate student to discuss their research progress

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Work on research project, analyze data, or write up findings for publication

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM: Lunch

1:00 PM – 2:30 PM: Teach graduate seminar on cognitive psychology

2:30 PM – 3:00 PM: Meet with another graduate student to discuss their research progress

3:00 PM – 4:00 PM: Attend a departmental meeting or committee meeting

4:00 PM – 5:00 PM: Work on preparing lectures or assignments for upcoming classes

Professor of Psychology salary – how much can you earn?

The median annual wage for postsecondary psychology professors is $80,370 (Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics). For more insights see our guide on psychology professor salaries.

How to become a professor of psychology

It can take anywhere from 12-26 years of education and experience to become a tenured professor of psychology.

Earn a bachelor’s degree

The first step to becoming a professor of psychology is to earn a bachelor’s degree in psychology or a related field.

Earn a master’s degree

The next step is to earn a master’s degree in psychology or a related field as this is a typical entry requirement for a doctoral degree program.

Obtain a doctoral degree

Professors of psychology typically hold a doctoral degree in psychology, such as a PhD or a PsyD. These programs take 5-7 years to complete and involve coursework, research, and clinical experience.

Gain research experience

Research experience is essential for becoming a professor of psychology. You can gain research experience through internships, research assistantships, or working as a research coordinator.

Obtain teaching experience

Professors of psychology typically need to demonstrate teaching excellence, which can be gained through teaching assistantships, adjunct teaching positions, or postdoctoral fellowships.

Pursue tenure-track positions

Professors of psychology typically start as assistant professors on a tenure-track, which involves a probationary period during which they are expected to conduct research, teach courses, and contribute to the academic community. We frequently have 100+ tenure-track positions advertised on PsychologyJobs.com – visit the job board to find the right one for you.

Obtain tenure

After completing the probationary period, assistant professors can apply for tenure, which provides job security and requires a demonstration of continued research, teaching, and service to the academic community.

Latest Professor of Psychology Jobs & Career Guide 2023 Listings

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Position Company Location Posted
Tenure-Track Faculty All Ranks Morgan State University Baltimore, Maryland 09/26/2023
Morgan State University invites applications for tenure-track faculty positions in the School of Social Work. The expected start date is August 2024. A January 2024 start date will also be considered. The candidate must have a strong desire to advance knowledge at a thriving and transformational school of social work, within a university at one of the nations largest Historically Black Colleges andUniversities (HBCU). The program offers the ... More
Tenure-Track Faculty All Ranks Morgan State University Baltimore, Maryland 09/26/2023
Morgan State University invites applications for tenure-track faculty positions in the School of Social Work. The expected start date is August 2024. A January 2024 start date will also be considered. The candidate must have a strong desire to advance knowledge at a thriving and transformational school of social work, within a university at one of the nations largest Historically Black Colleges andUniversities (HBCU). The program offers the ... More
Assistant Professor of Counseling Psychology Boston University Boston, Massachusetts 09/26/2023
The Boston University Wheelock College of Education and Human Developments Department of Counseling Psychology and Applied Human Development invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track position as Assistant Professor in Counseling Psychology. Successful candidates will have a strong program of research and the ability to contribute to the teaching of core courses in our APA-Approved Counseling Psychology Ph.D. program and our Ed.M. Counseling program that includes three areas ... More
Home and Community Extension Assistant/Associate Professor or Professional Practice Extension Assistant Professor (Sevier County) Utah State University Extension Richfield, Utah 09/26/2023
OverviewUtah State University Extension invites applications for a County Extension faculty position in the Home and Community Department. This is a 12-month, fiscal-year appointment, tenure-track or a non-tenure track Professional Practice Extension Assistant Professor Position. Extension faculty develop, implement, evaluate, and coordinate research-based educational programs to enhance quality of life for youth and adults. Extension faculty also recruit, train and supervise volunteer ... More
Social Work Open Rank California State University, San Bernardino San Bernardino, California 09/26/2023
California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB) is located in San Bernardino in the Inland Empire, 60 miles east of Los Angeles and operates a satellite campus in Palm Desert located in Coachella Valley. CSUSB serves approximately 20,000 students, of which 81% are first-generation college students and ... More
Tenure Track Assistant Professor in Psychometrics and Quantitative Psychology Fordham University New York City, New York 09/26/2023
Fordham University, Department of Psychology: Assistant Professor (tenure-track) position in the Psychometrics and Quantitative Psychology Program to begin August 2024. The Psychometrics and Quantitative Psychology doctoral program is seeking a candidate with a strong publication record, an established history ... More
Assistant Professor - Consultation Liaison Service Yale School of Medicine - Department of Psychiatry Connecticut 09/26/2023
The Department of Psychiatry at Yale School of Medicine is recruiting a full-time psychiatrist to join our nationally recognized Psychological Medicine Section at Yale New Haven Hospital, the birthplace of proactive consultation-liaison (C-L) psychiatry. The position is for general C-L psychiatry and may include half days with specialized clinics/programs at Yale New Haven Hospital, such as bariatric psychiatry. We seek a board-certified/board-eligible psychiatrist with fellowship training ... More
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR of SOCIAL WORK / UMKC School of Education, Social Work and Psychological Sciences UMKC Kansas City, Missouri 09/26/2023
Hiring Department University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Education, Social Work & Psychological Sciences SOCIAL WORK MSW PROGRAM The University of Missouri Kansas City (UMKC) is the largest comprehensive, fully accredited university in the Kansas City area. As one of four universities of the University of Missouri system, it offers traditional and interdisciplinary programs and is designated as a high research activity university by the ... More
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