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Job Definition
Teach courses in psychology, such as child, clinical, and developmental psychology, and psychological counseling.
Job Zone

Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed

A bachelor's degree is the minimum formal education required for these occupations. However, many also 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).

Interests
Social - Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
Investigative - Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
Artistic - Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
Knowledge
Psychology - Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Education and Training - Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
Therapy and Counseling - Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance.
Sociology and Anthropology - Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures and their history and origins.
Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Philosophy and Theology - Knowledge of different philosophical systems and religions. This includes their basic principles, values, ethics, ways of thinking, customs, practices, and their impact on human culture.
Skills
Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Instructing - Teaching others how to do something.
Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Learning Strategies - Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Social Perceptiveness - Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Time Management - Managing one's own time and the time of others.
Tasks
Act as advisers to student organizations.
Supervise students' laboratory work.
Perform administrative duties such as serving as department head.
Write grant proposals to procure external research funding.
Participate in campus and community events.
Provide professional consulting services to government and/or industry.
Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
Plan, evaluate, and revise curricula, course content, and course materials and methods of instruction.
Maintain student attendance records, grades, and other required records.
Supervise undergraduate and/or graduate teaching, internship, and research work.
Maintain regularly scheduled office hours in order to advise and assist students.
Conduct research in a particular field of knowledge, and publish findings in professional journals, books, and/or electronic media.
Advise students on academic and vocational curricula, and on career issues.
Select and obtain materials and supplies such as textbooks.
Collaborate with colleagues to address teaching and research issues.
Wages

In 2008, the California average annual wage was $80,770.00.

Most people employed in this occupation were paid between $46,170.00 and $124,120.00.

Outlook

During 2006, there were approximately 2,700 people employed in this field in California. It is projected that there will be 3,500 employed in 2016. This occupation will have about 80 openings due to growth and about 50 replacement openings for approximately 130 total annual openings. This occupation .

Colleges and Training
Below are college programs that are generally associated with this occupation. To view colleges that offer these programs, click on the titles below.
Developmental and Child Psychology - A program that focuses on the scientific study of the psychological growth and development of individuals from infancy through adulthood. Includes instruction in cognitive and perceptual development, emotional development, personality development, the effects of biological maturation on behavior, theories of cognitive growth and related research methods, testing and assessment methods for different age levels, research on child and adolescent behavior therapy, and the psychology of aging. Note ( Family and Human Development Studies/Individual and Family Development Studies, General, have been integrated into Developmental and Child Psychology because the definitions are virtually the same for the two programs.
Experimental Psychology - A program that focuses on the scientific study of behavior under experimental conditions and the analysis of controlled behavioral responses. Includes instruction in learning theory, research design and experimental methods, psychological measurement, statistical design and methods, analysis of cognitive and behavioral variables, and the conduct of specialized and large-scale studies.
Clinical Psychology - A program that prepares individuals for the independent professional practice of clinical psychology, involving the analysis, diagnosis, and clinical treatment of psychological disorders and behavioral pathologies. Includes instruction in clinical assessment and diagnosis, personality appraisal, psychopathology, clinical psychopharmacology, behavior modification, therapeutic intervention skills, patient interviewing, personalized and group therapy, child and adolescent therapy, cognitive and behavioral therapy, supervised clinical practice, ethical standards, and applicable regulations.
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Historians - Research, analyze, record, and interpret the past as recorded in sources, such as government and institutional records, newspapers and other periodicals, photographs, interviews, films, and unpublished manuscripts, such as personal diaries and letters.
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