Psychology lecturer
Also known as: senior lecturer in psychology, lecturer of psychology, psychology teacher, lector in psychology, psychology instructor, psychology lector
About this occupation
Psychology lecturers are subject professors, teachers, or lecturers who instruct students who have obtained an upper secondary education diploma in their own specialised field of study, psychology, which is predominantly academic in nature. They work with their university research assistants and university teaching assistants for the preparation of lectures and of exams, for grading papers and exams and for leading review and feedback sessions for the students. They also conduct academic research in their respective field of psychology, publish their findings and liaise with other university colleagues.
A specialisation of higher education lecturer.
Essential skills and knowledge
- human psychological development
- compile course material
- monitor developments in field of expertise
- assess students
- psychological theories
- guarantee students' safety
- liaise with educational staff
- give constructive feedback
- apply teaching strategies
- demonstrate when teaching
- teach psychology
- perform classroom management
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary (O*NET 25-1066.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- 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.
- Typical education (US)
- Doctoral Degree
- Preparation
- Job Zone 5 of 5
- Interests
- Social, Investigative, Artistic
Top skills: Learning Strategies, Reading Comprehension, Speaking, Instructing, Active Listening, Writing
US median pay: US$80,340 a year (2025), 41,530 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- PsychologyO*NET: PsychologyExtremely important (5.0)
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageExtremely important (4.8)
- SociologyO*NET: Sociology and AnthropologyVery important (3.9)
- Mathematics or StatisticsO*NET: MathematicsVery important (3.8)
- Computer StudiesO*NET: Computers and ElectronicsImportant (3.4)
- Media StudiesO*NET: Communications and MediaImportant (3.2)
- BiologyO*NET: BiologyImportant (3.0)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
- Most common education (US)
- Doctoral Degree
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary
- Education Teachers, Postsecondary
- Social Work Teachers, Postsecondary
- Teaching Assistants, Postsecondary
- Anthropology and Archeology Teachers, Postsecondary
- Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary
- Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, Postsecondary
- Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary
- Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary
- Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.