Psychology careers in education

Careers for psychology graduates interested in the education sector can take a number of different paths, including those already listed above. As well as educational therapy, educational psychology and social work within education, psychology graduates may qualify as teachers, working in primary, secondary or tertiary level education, or they may work within social services to help support learning in the community at all ages, or within the prison sector to provide support for young offenders.

To be named an educational psychologist, you will need the same qualifications as any psychologist (a master’s degree and further training). This is a role concerned with the development of young people in educational settings, with the aim of enhancing learning and dealing with social and emotional issues or learning difficulties.

To become a teacher of psychology, depending on the level you choose, you will almost certainly need an additional teaching qualification. As a rule, however, psychology graduates can be particularly sought-after within education and teaching due to their psychological knowledge of learning systems and insight into how people pick up information.

To enter careers in tertiary education (colleges and universities) you will likely need a further qualification, such as a master’s and/or PhD. Roles in higher education are likely to encompass both teaching and research (see below).

Psychology careers in research

Psychology careers in research may be based within research agencies, public and private organizations or, as is often the case, in universities. University-based careers vary, but tend to combine research and teaching. Research careers within other sectors are even more wide-ranging, but could mean contributing to governmental policy development (in areas such as healthy eating and exercise) or issues of importance for industry (improving work productivity, for example). You could also work for a charity or other non-profit organization, perhaps conducting researching to help resolve challenges such as speech impediments, brain damage, child development or the impact of legal and illegal drugs on psychological health.