Professor of Psychology Jobs & Career Guide 2023

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 2024 Listings

PositionCompanyLocationPosted
Assistant Professor of Health SciencesIndiana University Indiana US03/27/2024
Position SummaryOne of eight campuses of Indiana University, Indiana University Kokomo is a comprehensive non-residential campus located 50 miles north of Indianapolis in Kokomo, Indiana, a city with a population of about 50,000. Committed to student success and community engagement, the campus serves approximately 3,000 students from a 14-county area in north central Indiana. IU Kokomo has approximately 260 full-time faculty and staff. Associate, baccalaureate, … More
Associate or Full Professor with additional title as Division DirectorIndiana University Indiana US03/27/2024
Position SummaryThe Director of the Division of Social Work (Northwest Campus) is a 12-month faculty administrative position with oversight over the MSW and BSW programs on the Indiana University Northwest campus. The Director provides collaborative leadership and administrative coordination, including recruitment, advisement, and support of students matriculating on the Northwest campus, and recruitment and support of faculty for the programs. The Director will also have … More
Teaching InstructorOklahoma State University Stillwater, Oklahoma US03/27/2024
Teaching Instructor or Teaching Assistant Professor, Mathematics EducationSchool of Teaching, Learning and Educational SciencesStart Date: August 2024POSITION: The Science and Mathematics Education program, housed in the School of Teaching, Learning, and Educational Sciences (STLES) in the College of Education and Human Sciences at Oklahoma State University is accepting applicants for a Teaching Instructor or Teaching Assistant … More
Teaching Assistant Professor or Teaching Associate ProfessorEast Carolina University Greenville, North Carolina US03/27/2024
Job Description: The Department of Psychology at East Carolina University (ECU) invites applications for a fixed-term Teaching Assistant Professor or Teaching Associate Professor, beginning July 1, 2024. This 12-month, non-tenure track, position will require 50% effort devoted to serving as the Program Coordinator for the departments new 100% online undergraduate Psychology program and 50% effort devoted to online undergraduate instruction in that program. The online … More
Assistant Professor/Clinical Assistant Professor, Associate Professor/Clinical Associate Professor, Professor/Clinical Professor (EHRA Faculty)East Carolina University Greenville, North Carolina US03/27/2024
Job Description: ECU Health Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine is looking to fill a vacancy for Pediatric/clinical child & Adolescent psychologist. We are developing an integrated multidisciplinary Child and Adolescent team to serve eastern North Carolina. This position will provide leadership, evidence-based psychosocial programming, and training to ensure appropriate intervention for patients. We are specifically interested in those who specialize in early … More
Assistant Professor/Clinical Assistant Professor, Associate Professor/Clinical Associate Professor, Professor/Clinical Professor (EHRA Faculty)East Carolina University Greenville, North Carolina US03/27/2024
Job Description: This is a full-time faculty position to serve as the Associate Medical Director for the Inpatient Psychiatry Service. This 52 bed service houses acute beds, combined MI-ID beds, and combined Med-Psych beds in a 900+ bed tertiary care academic medical center serving Eastern and coastal North Carolina. This position will serve as the lead psychiatrist for the Med-Psych program housed in the inpatient service. The hospital provides acute, intermediate, rehabilitation, … More
Assistant or Associate ProfessorEast Carolina University Greenville, North Carolina US03/27/2024
Job Description: A tenure-track Assistant Professor or Associate Professor or a tenured Associate Professor position in any area within adult or child clinical health psychology or pediatric school psychology, beginning August 2024. The successful applicant will develop an active, clinically relevant research program with high potential to secure extramural funding, contribute to the doctoral concentrations in Pediatric School and/or Clinical Health Psychology, including … More
Assistant Professor/Clinical Assistant Professor, Associate Professor/Clinical Associate Professor, Professor/Clinical Professor (EHRA Faculty)East Carolina University Greenville, North Carolina US03/27/2024
Job Description: The Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University and ECU Health Physicians, are seeking a Board-Certified or Board Eligible Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist to fill a full-time faculty position as a Assistant Professor/Clinical Assistant Professor, Associate Professor/Clinical Associate Professor, or Professor/Clinical Professor . New graduates and Visa candidates encouraged to apply. The successful … More
Position
Position SummaryOne of eight campuses of Indiana University, Indiana University Kokomo is a comprehensive non-residential campus located 50 miles north of Indianapolis in Kokomo, Indiana, a city with a population of about 50,000. Committed to student success and community engagement, the campus serves approximately 3,000 students from a 14-county area in north central Indiana. IU Kokomo has approximately 260 full-time faculty and staff. Associate, baccalaureate, … More
Company
Indiana University
Location
Indiana US
Posted
03/27/2024
Position
Position SummaryThe Director of the Division of Social Work (Northwest Campus) is a 12-month faculty administrative position with oversight over the MSW and BSW programs on the Indiana University Northwest campus. The Director provides collaborative leadership and administrative coordination, including recruitment, advisement, and support of students matriculating on the Northwest campus, and recruitment and support of faculty for the programs. The Director will also have … More
Company
Indiana University
Location
Indiana US
Posted
03/27/2024
Position
Teaching Instructor or Teaching Assistant Professor, Mathematics EducationSchool of Teaching, Learning and Educational SciencesStart Date: August 2024POSITION: The Science and Mathematics Education program, housed in the School of Teaching, Learning, and Educational Sciences (STLES) in the College of Education and Human Sciences at Oklahoma State University is accepting applicants for a Teaching Instructor or Teaching Assistant … More
Company
Oklahoma State University
Location
Stillwater, Oklahoma US
Posted
03/27/2024
Position
Job Description: The Department of Psychology at East Carolina University (ECU) invites applications for a fixed-term Teaching Assistant Professor or Teaching Associate Professor, beginning July 1, 2024. This 12-month, non-tenure track, position will require 50% effort devoted to serving as the Program Coordinator for the departments new 100% online undergraduate Psychology program and 50% effort devoted to online undergraduate instruction in that program. The online … More
Company
East Carolina University
Location
Greenville, North Carolina US
Posted
03/27/2024
Position
Job Description: ECU Health Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine is looking to fill a vacancy for Pediatric/clinical child & Adolescent psychologist. We are developing an integrated multidisciplinary Child and Adolescent team to serve eastern North Carolina. This position will provide leadership, evidence-based psychosocial programming, and training to ensure appropriate intervention for patients. We are specifically interested in those who specialize in early … More
Company
East Carolina University
Location
Greenville, North Carolina US
Posted
03/27/2024
Position
Job Description: This is a full-time faculty position to serve as the Associate Medical Director for the Inpatient Psychiatry Service. This 52 bed service houses acute beds, combined MI-ID beds, and combined Med-Psych beds in a 900+ bed tertiary care academic medical center serving Eastern and coastal North Carolina. This position will serve as the lead psychiatrist for the Med-Psych program housed in the inpatient service. The hospital provides acute, intermediate, rehabilitation, … More
Company
East Carolina University
Location
Greenville, North Carolina US
Posted
03/27/2024
Position
Job Description: A tenure-track Assistant Professor or Associate Professor or a tenured Associate Professor position in any area within adult or child clinical health psychology or pediatric school psychology, beginning August 2024. The successful applicant will develop an active, clinically relevant research program with high potential to secure extramural funding, contribute to the doctoral concentrations in Pediatric School and/or Clinical Health Psychology, including … More
Company
East Carolina University
Location
Greenville, North Carolina US
Posted
03/27/2024
Position
Job Description: The Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University and ECU Health Physicians, are seeking a Board-Certified or Board Eligible Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist to fill a full-time faculty position as a Assistant Professor/Clinical Assistant Professor, Associate Professor/Clinical Associate Professor, or Professor/Clinical Professor . New graduates and Visa candidates encouraged to apply. The successful … More
Company
East Carolina University
Location
Greenville, North Carolina US
Posted
03/27/2024