How to Become a FacultyMember: Two Paths to the Same Goal

While there is a growing need for university-based trainers in school psychology, there are many myths and misinformation about how to become an academic, how to prepare for such a career, and what a full-time academic position entails. Becoming an academic is filled with great rewards and significant challenges and involves more commitment than might appear to those outside of the university setting. Teaching, research, and service are integrated and expected, whether the primary focus is on teaching or research. The focus and expectations will vary depending on the institution, but generally will provide the opportunity for pursuit of individual goals and interests to the extent that these complement the rest of the faculty within a department. At the same time, the combination of expectations needs to be considered, because these consume far more than teaching and research time. An academic career may not be the immediate route for every graduate student in psychology. However, for some the path to the academia is clear. What follows is divided into two sections: Following the Traditional Path and From Practitioner to Academic.