Professor of Psychology Jobs & Career Guide

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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 Listings

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Position Company Location Posted
Instructor/Teaching Assistant Professor Social Work #182763 Department of Social Work at Western Carolina University Cullowhee, North Carolina 05/25/2023
Western Carolina University has been named to the 2022 Americas Best Employers by State list by Forbes, ranking 14 out of the top 100 employers in North Carolina. Forbes has also ranked Western Carolina University in the Top 100 of Americas Best Midsize Employers for 2023. Western Carolina University is theUNCsystems westernmost campus and has been consistently ranked as one of the top 15 public regional ... More
Associate Professor-Social Work #000740 Department of Social Work at Western Carolina University Cullowhee, North Carolina 05/25/2023
Western Carolina University has been named to the 2022 Americas Best Employers by State list by Forbes, ranking 14 out of the top 100 employers in North Carolina. Forbes has also ranked Western Carolina University in the Top 100 of Americas Best Midsize Employers for 2023. Western Carolina University is theUNCsystems westernmost campus and has been consistently ranked as one of the top 15 public regional ... More
Associate Professor-Social Work #000740 Department of Social Work at Western Carolina University Cullowhee, North Carolina 05/25/2023
Western Carolina University has been named to the 2022 Americas Best Employers by State list by Forbes, ranking 14 out of the top 100 employers in North Carolina. Forbes has also ranked Western Carolina University in the Top 100 of Americas Best Midsize Employers for 2023. Western Carolina University is theUNCsystems westernmost campus and has been consistently ranked as one of the top 15 public regional ... More
Instructor/Teaching Assistant Professor Social Work #182763 Department of Social Work at Western Carolina University Cullowhee, North Carolina 05/25/2023
Western Carolina University has been named to the 2022 Americas Best Employers by State list by Forbes, ranking 14 out of the top 100 employers in North Carolina. Forbes has also ranked Western Carolina University in the Top 100 of Americas Best Midsize Employers for 2023. Western Carolina University is theUNCsystems westernmost campus and has been consistently ranked as one of the top 15 public regional ... More
ALBANY MEDICAL CENTER DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHIATRY CHILD PSYCHIATRY PROGRAM HEAD Albany Medical Center Albany, New York 05/25/2023
ALBANY MEDICAL CENTER DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHIATRY CHILD PSYCHIATRY PROGRAM HEAD Position: Division Head, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (CAP), with opportunity to also hold the position of CAP Fellowship Program Director and Medical Director of the Child Psychiatry Inpatient and Crisis Stabilization Units, Albany Medical Center Department of Psychiatry or recruit to fill these additional ... More
Assistant Professor (Term) University of Louisville Louisville, Kentucky 05/25/2023
Department:Location:Health Sciences CenterTime Type:Full timeWorker Type:Regular Term (Fixed Term)Job Req ID:R100979Position Description:The UofL School of Medicine, affiliated with Norton Children's Behavioral & Mental Health and a part of Norton Children's Medical Group, is seeking a fellowship trained pediatric clinical psychologist to join its established program in Louisville, Kentucky. The practice ... More
Assistant Professor (Term) University of Louisville Louisville, Kentucky 05/25/2023
Department:Location:Health Sciences CenterTime Type:Full timeWorker Type:Regular Term (Fixed Term)Job Req ID:R100977Position Description:The UofL School of Medicine, affiliated with Norton Children's Behavioral & Mental Health and a part of Norton Children's Medical Group, is seeking a fellowship trained pediatric clinical psychologist to join its established program in Louisville, Kentucky. The practice ... More
Open-rank: Research Assistant/Associate Professor University of Maryland, Baltimore Baltimore, Maryland 05/24/2023
Description The University of Maryland, Baltimore School of Social Work (SSW) has an opening for an open-rank Research Assistant/Associate Professor. This position will function as a research assistant/associate professor (RAP) and will work collaboratively on the Prevention of Adolescent Risks Initiative Team (PARI) on projects related to human trafficking and teen pregnancy prevention. This position is responsible for providing the highest technical expertise to research ... More
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