Assistant Professor - Counseling

Responsibilities:
The University of Puget Sound seeks a counselor educator to join the core faculty of its Master of Education in Counseling program, accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). The program prepares school counselors and clinical mental health counselors through a cohort model offered in two delivery modes: a long-standing in-person program and a low-residency hybrid program that enrolled its first cohort in Fall 2026. Responsibilities include:

• Teaching a range of graduate-level courses in a CACREP-accredited program, including integrated courses related to the School Counseling and Clinical Mental Health Counseling specialized practice areas, across both in-person and hybrid delivery modes.
• Collaborating with program faculty on ongoing curriculum and program development, including the continued development and assessment of the hybrid delivery mode.
• Observing and mentoring graduate candidates at practicum and internship sites in public schools and mental health agencies, and providing group and/or triadic supervision as needed.
• Advising and mentoring MEd candidates and meeting with prospective students.
• Maintaining an active program of scholarship consistent with the expectations of a tenure-line appointment.
• Participating in departmental and university governance and continuing professional development in the faculty member’s area of expertise.

At the University of Puget Sound, the normal faculty teaching load is six units per academic year.

Qualifications:
Required

• An earned doctoral degree in counselor education, preferably from a CACREP-accredited program; or a related doctoral degree together with employment as a full-time faculty member in a counselor education program for a minimum of one full academic year before July 1, 2013. Applicants who otherwise meet the core faculty criteria in CACREP 2024 Standard 1.Y are also eligible. The doctorate must be conferred by the start of the appointment.
• Licensed, or eligible for licensure, as a mental health counselor (LMHC) in Washington State; or holding, or eligible to hold, a Washington State Educational Staff Associate (ESA) certificate in school counseling.
• Sustained membership in professional counseling organizations, relevant professional counseling credentials, and evidence of ongoing engagement in the counseling profession.
• Knowledge of equity- and inclusion-informed theories and research, and an understanding of working with diverse populations.
• Commitment to teaching excellence and to liberal arts education.

Preferred

• Counseling experience in school and/or clinical mental health settings.
• Graduate-level teaching experience in counselor education.
• Training and experience in clinical supervision.
• Research interests or professional experience in evidence-based, culturally responsive interventions.
• Experience and/or training in online curriculum design and delivery, including hybrid or low-residency formats.
• Knowledge of CACREP accreditation processes.

Application Deadline:
Review of applications begins November 6, 2026. Interested individuals are encouraged to submit application materials no later than this date to ensure full consideration.

Compensation and Benefits:
Rank: Assistant Professor

Salary is commensurate with education and experience.

Faculty salaries at the University of Puget Sound are based on a common salary scale based on experience. Assistant Professor salaries in 2026-2027 begin at $75,820 for an assistant professor with a terminal degree in their field in their first year of full-time post-doctorate teaching through $86,652 annualized based on experience.

Puget Sound offers a generous benefits package. For more information, visit: Summary of 2026 Benefits for Faculty Members.pdf - Google Drive

Puget Sound has a well-established Shared Faculty Appointments Policy, https://www.pugetsound.edu/policies/faculty-policies/shared-faculty-appointments

About Puget Sound:
The University of Puget Sound is located in Tacoma, Washington, a vibrant, diverse mid-sized urban port city. Within, and near, Tacoma there is ready access to urban, rural, and natural areas as well as opportunities to participate in a wide variety of cultural activities.

About the School of Education and the Master of Education in Counseling Program
The School of Education offers a Master of Education in Counseling program, a Master of Arts in Teaching program, and a minor in Education Studies. Students complete sustained clinical experiences in local public schools, mental health agencies, and community settings, and actively pursue culturally responsive practice as they contribute collaboratively to the ongoing work of equity.

The Master of Education in Counseling program offers two CACREP-accredited specialized practice areas: School Counseling and Clinical Mental Health Counseling. In Fall 2026 the program added a low-residency hybrid delivery mode alongside its established in-person program. Hybrid students complete a combination of synchronous and asynchronous coursework and attend two on-campus residency weekends each year. Both delivery modes share the same curriculum, learning outcomes, assessments, and requirements. MEd candidates complete practicum and internship in public schools and mental health agencies, with supervision provided by core and affiliate faculty. Program faculty collaborate closely on ongoing curriculum and program development to prepare reflective, collaborative counselors committed to social justice.

More information may be found on the program website: https://www.pugetsound.edu/academics/master-education-counseling

University Diversity Statement:

• We acknowledge the richness of commonalities and differences we share as a university community; the intrinsic worth of all who work and study here; that education is enhanced by the investigation of and the reflection upon multiple perspectives.
• We aspire to create respect for and appreciation of all persons as a key characteristic of our campus community; to increase the diversity of all parts of our University community through commitment to diversity in our recruitment and retention efforts; to foster a spirit of openness to active engagement among all members of our campus community.
• We act to achieve an environment that welcomes and supports diversity; to ensure full educational opportunity for all who teach and learn here; to prepare effectively citizen-leaders for a pluralistic world.

Puget Sound is committed to an environment that welcomes and supports diversity. We seek diversity of identity, thought, perspective, and background in our students, faculty, and staff. To learn more please visit: http://www.pugetsound.edu/about/diversity-at-puget-sound/

Required Documents:
Applicants submitted without the required attachments will not be considered.

• Curriculum vitae
• Letter of Interest
• Teaching statement
• Research statement
• Teaching evaluations
• Diversity Statement (see prompt below)
• Writing sample: a recent publication or scholarly work in progress
• Unofficial transcripts (an official transcript will be required by the successful candidate)
• Contact Information for 3 References. You will be prompted to enter the contact information for three (3) reference providers. The system will automatically email these reference providers to request a letter.

Note: In the online application system, please submit curriculum vitae when prompted to submit resume. Additional documents can be attached within the application.

Applicant's Diversity Statement:
As a department and university, we are strongly committed to creating an inclusive and effective teaching, learning, and working environment for all. In their diversity statement, applicants should reflect on how they will advance the values articulated in the University Diversity Statement in all aspects of their future work as faculty and members of the university community.

All offers of employment are contingent on successful completion of a background inquiry.

The University of Puget Sound is an equal opportunity employer.

Given the current Executive Order and the $100,000 petition fee for new H-1b visas, at the moment sponsoring a new H-1b is cost-prohibitive to us. Therefore, unless the executive order is rescinded or blocked by the courts, we are unable to commit to new H visa sponsorship at this time. Applicants with questions about visa sponsorship are encouraged to reach out to Human Resources.

Puget Sound is a selective national liberal arts college in Tacoma, Washington, drawing 2,600 students from 48 states and 20 countries. Puget Sound graduates include Rhodes and Fulbright scholars, notables in the arts and culture, entrepreneurs and elected officials, and leaders in business and finance locally and throughout the world. A low student-faculty ratio provides Puget Sound students with personal attention from faculty who have a strong commitment to teaching and offer 1,200 courses each year in more than 40 traditional and interdisciplinary fields, including graduate programs in occupational and physical therapy and in education. Puget Sound is the only nationally ranked independent undergraduate liberal arts college in Western Washington, and one of just five independent colleges in the Pacific Northwest granted a charter by Phi Beta Kappa, the nation's most prestigious academic honorary society. Visit "About Puget Sound" (http://www.pugetsound.edu/about) to learn more about the college.

As a strategic goal and through our core values, University of Puget Sound is committed to an environment that welcomes and supports diversity. We seek diversity of identity, thought, perspective, and background in our students, faculty, and staff. EOE/AA