Psychology Career Pathways: Education (Pre-K to 12)

What is education (Pre-K to 12)?

Education is a diverse and dynamic field that goes far beyond the role of classroom teaching. Professionals working in Pre-K–12 settings help students learn, grow, and thrive during their most formative years. While teaching is often the first career that comes to mind, education also includes roles in school counseling, administration, curriculum development, student support services, and community-based education programs. Careers in this pathway often balance direct work with children and adolescents with broader contributions to equity, access, and systemic improvement in schools. If you’re passionate about supporting young people, fostering inclusive learning environments, and shaping the future of education, this pathway offers many possibilities.

Education Sub-Fields and Sample Job Titles

Explore sub-fields of education and click on the sample job titles to learn more about positions you can pursue as a psychology major. Pay attention to the qualifications for positions that you are interested in so you can prepare for what you need to do during and after graduation. (I don't think this makes sense)

• Teaching and Instruction
• About Teaching and Instruction
  Teachers are the backbone of the K–12 system, guiding students through academic subjects, building critical thinking, and fostering social-emotional growth. This area includes classroom teachers at the elementary, middle, and high school levels, as well as specialists in areas like special education or English as a Second Language (ESL).
  
  Sample Job Titles
  Preschool Teacher
  Elementary School Teacher (Multiple Subject)
  Middle/High School Teacher (Multiple/Single Subject)
  Special Education Teacher
  Physical Education Teacher
• Student Support Services
• About Student Support Services
  These professionals focus on the well-being of students beyond academics. Roles like school counselors, psychologists, and social workers help students navigate personal, social, and emotional challenges, while paraeducators and behavioral specialists provide targeted support in and outside the classroom.
  
  Sample Job Posts
  School Counselor
  School Psychologist
  Behavioral Interventionist
  Instructional Support Specialist
  Preschool Paraeducator
  Library Media Center Technician
  Early Literacy Tutor
  Case Manager
  
  Other Sample Job Titles
  School Librarian, Family Engagement Specialist, Family and Community Ambassador, Instructional Aide, Athletics Coach, After School Assistant
• Administration and Leadership
• About Administration and Leadership
  School leaders set the vision for learning environments, manage staff, and make policy decisions that affect entire schools or districts. Principals, vice principals, and superintendents often move into leadership after years of teaching, while instructional coordinators and department chairs help shape curriculum and instruction.
  
  Sample Job Posts
  Assistant Principal
  Behavioral Services Program Manager
  Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services
  Whole School Administrator
  Administrative Assistant for Educational Services
  Preschool Office Administrator
  
  Other Sample Job Titles
  Principal, Dean, School Office Manager, Personnel Assistant, Clerk, Administrative Secretary, Director, Instructional Coordinator, Curriculum Specialist, Coordinator, Program Specialist

How to Prepare for a Career in Education

Do your Research

The steps you take to prepare for a career in education depend on what kind of position you want to pursue. Read job postings and review the minimum qualifications needed for each position. Here are some starting points:

• If you want to become a teacher in California, read Becoming a Teacher in California and Wondering How to Become a Teacher? Here's 5 Steps to Take in Undergrad
• If you want to become a school counselor, read Become a School Counselor
• If you want to be a school psychologist, read Who Are School Psychologists
• If you want to be an administrator or leader in education, read about the Administrative Services Credential
   

Supplement Your Bachelor's Degree

Consider the following course, double major, minor, and experiential recommendations during your academic journey

• Course Recommendations
• Core A: Perception, Cognition, & Cognitive Neuroscience
  PSC 100 — Introduction to  Cognitive Psychology
  PSC 130 — Human Learning & Memory
  PSC 131 — Perception
  PSC 132 — Language & Cognition
  PSC 133 — Neuroeconomics/Reinforcement Learning & Decision Making
  
  Core B: Psychobiology
  PSC 101 — Intro to Biological Psychology
  PSC 113 — Developmental Psychobiology
  PSC 126 — Health Psychology
  PSC 137 — Neurobiology of Learning and Memory 
  
  Core C: Social/Emotional
  PSC 151 — Social Psychology
  PSC 152 — Social Cognition
  PSC 154 — Psychology of Emotion
  PSC 155 —  The Psychology of Cultural Appropriation
  PSC 157 — Stereotyping, Prejudice, & Stigma
  PSC 158 —  Sexual Orientation and Prejudice
  PSC 161 — Psychology of the Self
  PSC 162 —  Introduction to Personality Psychology
  PSC 168 — Mental Health, Mental Illness, & Problems in Living (formerly Abnormal Psychology)
  PSC 169 — The Science of Multi-Cultural Psychology
  
  Core D: Development
  PSC 140 — Developmental Psychology
  PSC 141 — Cognitive Development
  PSC 142 — Social & Personality Development
  PSC 143 — Infant Development
  PSC 146 — The Development of Memory
  PSC 148 — Developmental Disorders
  
  Electives
  PSC 104 — Applied Psychometrics: An Introduction to Measurement Theory
  PSC 107 — Questionnaire & Survey Research Methods
  PSC 138 — Consciousness & Cognition
  PSC 170 — Psychology of Religion
  PSC 175 — Genius, Creativity, & Leadership
  
  See also:
  Non-PSC Course Recommendations - Education
  Study Abroad Programs for Education Minors
  
  If pursuing a Single Subject Teaching Credential, you may want to take coursework that covers the area you want to teach so you can prepare for the CSET (California Subject Examinations for Teachers)
• Double Major Recommendations
• African American & African Studies
  Chicana/Chicano Studies
  Cognitive Science
  Communication
  Gender, Sexuality, & Women’s Studies
  Human Development
  Middle East/South Asia Studies
  Native American Studies
  Sociology
  
  If pursuing a Single Subject Teaching Credential, review the Appropriate Degrees to Satisfy Subject Matter Competence to identify a major that will allow you to teach your desired subject
• Minor Recommendations
• African American & African Studies
  Chicana/Chicano Studies
  Communication
  Education
  Gender, Sexuality, & Women’s Studies
  Human Development
  Human Rights
  Middle East/South Asia Studies
  Native American Studies
  Sexuality Studies
  Social, Ethnic, & Gender Relations
  Sociology
• Work Experience and Internship Recommendations
• It is highly recommended that all undergraduate students engage in part-time work, internships, volunteering, and other extracurricular opportunities. ANY experience is RELEVANT experience. See general recommendations for gaining experience as a psychology student here.
  
  Education Specific Recommendations
  • Check out Teaching Assistantships through the Career Center
  • Become a Tutor for Academic Assistance and Tutoring Centers
  • Pursue a peer support related position on campus like Peer Advising or Peer Mentoring through programs like First-Year Experience Peer Mentors, L&S Peer Mentorship for Achievement Program, or the Transfer and Reentry Peer Advisor Program. You can find many more peer related opportunities through Google and Handshake.
  • Consider any experience that involves working with kids and teens like summer camp, after-school programs, recreation programs, and care-giving on job search engines
  • Get involved with a research lab through the School of Education
  • Become a Mentor for the Redwood SEED Scholars Program
  • Be a note-taker for the Student Disability Center
  • Work as a Teaching Intern through Breakthrough Sacramento
• Campus-Affiliated Extracurricular Recommendations
• Best Buddies UC Davis Chapter
  Best Buddies at UC Davis is a chapter of the global nonprofit Best Buddies International, which promotes social and economic inclusion for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). We envision a world in which programs like Best Buddies are no longer needed because people with IDD are completely included in their communities.
  
  Camp Kesem at UC Davis
  Kesem recruits diverse student leader volunteers from college campuses across the country to lead local Kesem chapters. With oversight and guidance from Kesem, these talented and committed leaders work year-round to deliver programming and services, including Camp Kesem, tailored to the needs of children affected by a parent’s cancer in their community.
  
  Princess Pals
  Princess Pals is an organization that allows students to dress up as well-known storybook characters and princesses and volunteer at local hospitals, elementary schools, shelters, and more. Our goal is to raise the spirits of children while providing an opportunity for students to have fun dressing up and portraying a character.
  
  Student California Teachers Association (SCTA) at UC Davis
  Student California Teachers Association consists of college students pursuing careers as educators. SCTA provides opportunities to address the broader aspects of education such as technological advances, governmental policies and issues, social issues and philosophical controversies.
  
  Undergraduate Psychology Association
  The Undergraduate Psychology Association provides a community for UC Davis undergraduates interested in psychology, offers opportunities for leadership and participation in events and community service, and informs members about advanced degree and career options within psychology.
  
  UC Davis Mental Health Initiative
  MHI aims to engage students in destigmatization and education efforts, prompt attendees to organize around mental health issues, and offer them the opportunity for self-reflection and healing through mental health discourse.

Post-Graduate Planning

Preparing for Your Job Search

Preparing for your job search is a critical step as you approach graduation. Take these essential steps so you can hit the ground running

• Start refining your resume and cover letter writing skills the quarter before you graduate. 
   

Applying to Graduate School

Frequently Asked Questions

• How can I increase my chances of being accepted into a graduate program?
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