Teaching Psychology as a Subject

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For both novice and experienced educators, the teaching of psychology as a subject continues to evolve as more information is learned and evidence is uncovered about the field.

To help ensure that educators at the undergraduate and graduate level are bringing best practices into their classrooms, APA has compiled a wide selection of resources that highlight the latest research and information available on teaching psychology to students.

From educational guidelines on student expectations and learning outcomes to informative articles that spotlight innovative instruction approaches developed by experts in the field, these resources aim to help educators bring out the best in both their students and themselves.

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COVID-19 impacts on doctoral education

Psychology graduates experienced fewer disruptions than those in other fields
African American female college professor points towards chalkboard in classroom.

APA’s new Quality Principles for Undergraduate Education in Psychology: How to use them for quality teaching

An important set of goals and recommendations for psychology faculty, departments, and programs to promote quality in undergraduate education
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Lessons learned: The joys and challenges of trying to transform introductory psychology

Discover how APA is supporting educators in applying the Introductory Psychology Initiative recommendations.

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Engage your students with the history of psychology

Explore the incredible offerings made available by the Cummings Center for the History of Psychology

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Can you be a pedagogical influencer? Using social media to increase learning

Connections through social media presence can increase rapport and communication, make the professor more accessible, and bolster learning
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The market-ready psychology major: Skills-focused resources for psychology instructors

Strategies to help students recognize how their psychology courses prepare them for the workplace

Undergraduate resources

APA Student Learning Outcomes for Introductory Psychology

Sets expectations for students enrolled in introductory psychology courses

APA Guidelines for the Undergraduate Psychology Major

Outlines expectations for performance by undergraduates studying psychological science

Principles for Quality Undergraduate Education in Psychology

Describes best practices that faculty, programs, and departments can adopt to facilitate student learning and development

Psychology Teacher Network (PTN)

Quarterly publication that serves as a resource for teachers of precollege and undergraduate psychology

Graduate resources

Graduate education policies

Outlines APA policies on accreditation, licensure, and training for graduate educators

Standards of Accreditation for Health Service Psychology (PDF, 780 KB)

Describes professional and scientific standards for health service psychology doctoral, internship, and postdoctoral residency programs

Standards of Accreditation for Health Service Psychology: Master’s Programs (PDF, 193 KB)

Describes professional and scientific standards for health service psychology master’s programs

psycPathways

Provides valuable information that helps psychology programs improve their offerings and career services
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Training and continuing education

 

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Learn 2 Learn Webinars: Apply the Science of Learning in Your Teaching

This webinar series discusses recent advances in the science of learning and explains how educators can apply these advances in the classroom through novel and inclusive educational approaches, strategies and techniques.

Watch now

APA publications

APA publications

Thriving in Academia

Thriving in Academia

$24.99
Cover of Transforming Introductory Psychology

Transforming Introductory Psychology

$59.99
Cover of Assessing Undergraduate Learning in Psychology (medium)

Assessing Undergraduate Learning in Psychology

$57.99
Cover of Graduate Education, Research, and Professional Training in Psychology (special issue of Canadian Psychology / Psychologie canadienne, November 2019)

Graduate Education, Research, and Professional Training in Psychology

$24.95
Cover of Becoming a Psychology Professor (medium)

Becoming a Psychology Professor

$34.99
 

Resources for high school educators

High school educators who teach psychology are encouraged to visit the APA Teachers of Psychology in Secondary Schools (TOPSS) website. TOPSS is the voice of high school psychology teachers within the APA, promoting excellence in the teaching of psychological science at the high school level.

Date created: October 2023