Psychology Higher Education Faculty
Teach courses in psychology, such as child, clinical, and developmental psychology, and psychological counseling. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Annual openings
233
BLS median wage
$76,810
Typical education
Doctoral degree
10-year growth
+8%
Career requirements
What does this career require?
The education, credentials, and on-the-job competencies Colorado employers expect for this role.
Typical education
Doctoral degree
Credential requirement
There are often no additional credentials required for this job. CTE faculty do have required credentials.
Work experience
A minimum of 5 years of Behavioral Health industry experience is expected.
Work-based learning
Teachers may be part-time or full-time, which impacts their focus areas and time spent on instruction, fieldwork supervision, advising, service, and research.
Employer competency information
- Feedback from employers identifies the following critical competencies and how they apply for this job: ● Communication - Be perceptive and responsive listeners, able to communicate with students in a variety of ways; help students to articulate their thoughts and ideas clearly and effectively ● Instruction & Customer Service - Know and demonstrate knowledge of the content being taught, making the instruction and content relevant to students while fostering a positive learning environment and adjusting instructional approaches as needed ● Psychology - Able to understand what motivates students to learn and feel valued and the ability to provide learning opportunities that meets those motivations ● Administration & Management - Able to manage interaction in the classroom and meet learning objectives across a semester ● Reading - Able to read, summarize, and communicate complex documents in relatable terms.
Is this work a fit?
What the work actually feels like
How people in this career tend to spend their time, the interests it draws on, and a look at a typical day.
A typical day
- Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as abnormal psychology, cognitive processes, and work motivation.
- Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
- Evaluate and grade students' class work, laboratory work, assignments, and papers.
- Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.
- Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.
- Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.