Psychology Teacher Education: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Designed for aspiring educators, this program equips future teachers with the knowledge and pedagogical skills necessary to effectively instruct secondary school students in the foundational principles of psychology. It blends theoretical understanding with practical teaching strategies to foster critical thinking and scientific inquiry in young learners.
- Introduction to Psychological Science: Explores the core concepts, research methods, and major theories that define modern psychology, emphasizing empirical evidence and scientific reasoning.
- Cognitive Development and Learning Theories: Examines how individuals acquire, process, and retain knowledge, with a focus on developmental stages and learning models applicable in classroom settings.
- Biological Bases of Behavior: Investigates the neural, hormonal, and genetic factors that influence thought, emotion, and action, providing a physiological foundation for psychological phenomena.
- Personality and Individual Differences: Studies the structure and development of personality, including major theoretical perspectives and the assessment of individual variation in behavior and temperament.
- Abnormal Psychology and Mental Health: Reviews the classification, causes, and treatment of psychological disorders, promoting awareness and reducing stigma through evidence-based understanding.
- Research Methods and Statistics in Psychology: Develops skills in designing studies, analyzing data, and interpreting results, empowering educators to critically evaluate psychological research and guide student inquiry.
- Instructional Design and Classroom Management: Focuses on effective teaching techniques, curriculum development, and strategies for managing diverse secondary classrooms to support student engagement and achievement.
Psychology Teacher Education Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Psychology Teacher Education Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Psychology Teacher Education degrees, including Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary and Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 1,114,150 professionals.
National Average Salaries
Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
---|---|---|---|---|
Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1066 | $80,330 | $47,870 - $158,900 | 41,610 | N/A |
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education 25-2031 | $64,580 | $47,330 - $104,670 | 1,072,540 | N/A |
Psychology Teacher Education Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $55,020 in Oklahoma to $102,590 in California—a 86% difference. The highest-paying states include California, New York, and Rhode Island. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 1,114,150 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Psychology Teacher Education by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 3 institutions offering Psychology Teacher Education programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Psychology Teacher Education is found at Albion College (2 graduates), Saint Norbert College (SNC) (2 graduates), and Emporia State University (ESU) (1 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 5 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Albion College |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Albion, Michigan | Private | albion.edu |
Saint Norbert College (SNC) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | De Pere, Wisconsin | Private | snc.edu |
Emporia State University (ESU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Emporia, Kansas | Public | emporia.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Psychology Teacher Education programs
How much can I earn with a Psychology Teacher Education degree?
Salaries for Psychology Teacher Education graduates vary by role and location. Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $80,330 annually, while Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education earn around $64,580. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in California average $102,590 compared to $55,020 in Oklahoma. Approximately 1,114,150 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Psychology Teacher Education programs?
Currently 3 accredited institutions offer Psychology Teacher Education degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Albion College (2 graduates), Saint Norbert College (SNC) (2 graduates), and Emporia State University (ESU) (1 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Psychology Teacher Education growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 20 in 2010 to 5 in 2023-24. This represents a 75% decrease overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with consistent demand, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Psychology Teacher Education degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary, Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education, . Related occupations employ approximately 1,114,150 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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