Teaching Psychology in Higher Education

Abstract

Psychology is one of the most popular degree subjects with the 49,010 full-time and 16,085 part-time students enrolled on psychology courses across the UK in 2010/11 (Higher Education Statistics Agency, 2012). Its popularity is also increasing in the pre-tertiary sector with many schools and colleges now off ering psychology courses to their students and is now the third most popular A-level examination completed. Psychology graduates may continue their education and train to become a psychologist in one of the applied areas of psychology discussed in other chapters of this book. However, some graduates will become teachers of psychology in either the pre-tertiary sector, including secondary and further education, or in higher education. This chapter will discuss the professional issues associated with the teaching of psychology, specifi cally in higher education. The chapter begins by defining what teachers of psychology do, training to become a teacher of psychology and outlining the main areas taught in undergraduate psychology. The chapter then discusses important issues involved with the teaching of psychology including assessment and student employability as well as exploring some of the ethical issues that might arise in the role of a psychology teacher. The application of psychological theories and methods to the teaching of psychology is also discussed. The chapter concludes by describing future directions in the teaching of psychology within UK higher education.