If you plan to teach psychology at a 4-year college or university. . .

Plan on attending graduate school and obtaining a doctorate: a PhD, PsyD, or EdD.

At 4-year colleges and universities, most professors of psychology are involved in research and publication, as well as teaching. To obtain tenure, you will probably need to produce several articles or a book during your first 5-7 years of teaching in addition to teaching 2-4 courses each semester (or term). To prepare yourself for these tasks, take writing skills classes.

Join the American Psychological Association, the American Psychological Society, and/or your regional psychological association as a student member. Attend a convention, if possible.

Get to know other psychology majors and the professors in your psychology department. Join the psychology club or psychology honorary society in your psychology department. Look for announcements of psychology activities to which students are invited. Attend as many as you can.

See additional recommendations for scholar/researchers.

 

Other psychology teaching options

Graduate preparation

Main page