How do you become a psychology professor?

[mommy_to_mason2006]

Obviously, you want to get a doctorates at least in psychology.. but do you have to get anything in education to be a professor, or just a plain psychology degree?

[You Don't Know Me]

Yeah you should at least minor in a teaching degree too. It'll increase your chance of getting hired.

[Professor Therapist]

The degree you need depends largely on what type of institution in which you would want to get a job. If you are thinking of getting a job at a major university (Research "One" University) then you will need a Ph.D. from a reputable academic institution. In other words a Ph.D. from a professional school will not work here.
If you are thinking of a job at a smaller school, perhaps a regional University, then a Ph.D. from a good academic school would be preferred, BUT is not 100% necessary as I have seen some non-academic Ph.D.s hired here.
If you are thinking of a job at very small college (private) or at a professional school, then Ph.D. from anywhere and/or a Psy.D (which is a non-research oriented psychology doctorate) would be fine.
Finally, if you are thinking of teaching at the community college level, any doctorate is fine but I have even seen full time faculty with Masters level degrees doing some of the teaching. There just aren't enough doctorates around to cover all the classes necessary at all the CC's in the country. So being that type of professor is pretty accessable.

Either way, be sure to get as much teaching experience as possible during your graduate degree. This will help tremendously. The exception to this is if you want to be at a major univeristy, then do NO teaching and concentrate fully on your research. That is all that matters there.

Email me for further questions.