"Associate Professor in Couple and Family Therapy: Medical Family Therapy and Inter-professional Practice"

Job Details

Posting Number: F2519P

Working Title: Associate Professor in Couple and Family Therapy: Medical Family Therapy and Inter-professional Practice

Department: FACS-Human Devel & Family Sci

About the University of Georgia: Chartered by the state of Georgia in 1785, the University of Georgia is the birthplace of public higher education in America and is the state’s flagship university (https://www.uga.edu/). The proof is in our more than 240 years of academic and professional achievements and our continual commitment to higher education. UGA is currently ranked among the top 20 public universities in U.S. News & World Report. The University’s main campus is located in Athens, approximately 65 miles northeast of Atlanta, with extended campuses in Atlanta, Griffin, Gwinnett, and Tifton. UGA employs approximately 3,100 faculty and more than 7,700 full-time staff. The University’s enrollment exceeds 41,000 students including over 31,000 undergraduates and over 10,000 graduate and professional students. Academic programs reside in 19 schools and colleges, including our newly established School of Medicine.

About the College/Unit/Department: About HDFS at UGA: The Department of Human Development and Family Science provides leadership in the field through cutting-edge research, pedagogy, and service. We are an interdisciplinary program focusing on individual, relationship, and family development within diverse ecological contexts. Faculty research interests include infancy and childhood, adolescence and young adulthood, adult development and aging, parenting and caregiving, interpersonal relationships, health and biobehavioral processes, and the contexts of human development. We have a vibrant program with over 350 undergraduate majors, 48 graduate students, and 25 faculty members working in a collegial and supportive environment. Faculty in the department collaborate with numerous programs and institutions across campus, including the Owens Institute for Behavioral Research, the Georgia Center for Developmental Science, the Bio-Imaging Research Center, Georgia Clinical and Translational Science Alliance, the Institute on Human Development and Disability, the Institute of Gerontology, the McPhaul Child Development Center, Center for Family Research, and UGA Cooperative Extension. Additional information about the department can be found at: https://www.fcs.uga.edu/hdfs.

College/Unit/Department website: https://www.fcs.uga.edu/hdfs

Posting Type: External

Retirement Plan: TRS or ORP

Employment Type: Employee

Benefits Eligibility: Benefits Eligible

Anticipated Start Date: 08/01/2026

Job Posting Date: 10/21/2025

Open until filled: Yes

Special Instructions to Applicants: Applications: Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Full consideration will be given to applications received by Nov. 31, 2025. Required materials include a letter of interest, curriculum vitae, statements of research, teaching, and clinical supervision, up to three preprints/reprints of representative publications, and contact information for three references. Direct any additional questions about the position to Dr. Elizabeth Wieling, Professor and Program Director of CFT Doctoral Program, ewieling@uga.edu, HDFS Search Committee Chair.

Location of Vacancy: Athens Area

EEO Statement: The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status or other protected status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR (hrweb@uga.edu).

USG Core Values Statement: The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning, as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found online at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct. Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found online at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.

Classification Title: Associate Professor

Faculty Rank: Associate Professor

Contract Type: Academic (9 mo.)

Tenure Status: Tenure Track or Tenured

Minimum Qualifications: Earned doctorate degree in HDFS or closely related field.

Position Summary: The Department of Human Development and Family Science (HDFS) at the University of Georgia is seeking applicants for the position of an associate professor in Couple and Family Therapy to begin August 1, 2026. This position is an academic year (9-month) appointment, with a 50% teaching, 45% research and 5% service allocation of effort. The duties would largely fall under those expected for HDFS faculty with research, teaching appointments. See UGA’s criteria for faculty appointment, promotion and tenure. This position is being funded by a Presidential Interdisciplinary Faculty Hiring Initiative in which we seek a colleague with expertise in medical family therapy as well as traumatic stress who will engage in and disseminate cutting-edge family and community-based inter-professional scholarship, translational science, prevention and clinical intervention to train the next generations of scientist-practitioners and health practitioners. This position will support a specialized track and certificate in Traumatic Stress, Grief and Resilience Studies and an undergraduate Honors course for students preparing for careers in health professionals. This position will introduce undergraduate and graduate students to inter-professional education and to understanding the partners in allied professions. This work will be disseminated in collaboration individuals, families and communities struggling with mental and behavioral health issues that often co-occur with medical conditions. In collaboration with the Ralston Institute for Behavioral Health and Developmental Disability, this position will support the professional education and training of practitioners throughout the state of Georgia on behavioral health topics. The successful candidate will be expected to establish and maintain an active independent program of research as well as demonstrate a continuous record of scholarly productivity in peer-reviewed journals; take significant responsibility on externally funded, peer-reviewed projects; present their research at a minimum of one national or international conference per year; and collaborate with graduate students, and/or post-docs on research publications, grants, and awards. Upon hire, the faculty member is expected to play an important role in teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in their areas of expertise by contributing to teaching existing Couple and Family Therapy doctoral level courses and teaching undergraduate courses when needed. It is expected that CFT content must be responsive to standards outlined by the Commission on Accreditation of Marital and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE). As a CFT core faculty member in HDFS, this hire will provide clinical supervision for doctoral student therapists enrolled in practicum courses; mentor graduate students; contribute as a committee member in a way that increases critical thinking about traumatic stress, grief, resilience, hospital settings and other allied health and behavioral health communities; and participate in service on departmental, college, and/or university committees to support education and engagement missions.

Additional Requirements: Earned doctorate degree in HDFS or closely related field, earned master’s or doctorate in couple/marriage and family therapy, currently licensed as marriage and family therapist (LAMFT or LMFT), and obtained AAMFT-approved supervisor status. Experience of at least five years as an Assistant Professor and on track to be appointed as an Associate Professor. Prior history of teaching undergraduate and graduate level courses. Demonstrated success mentoring doctoral graduate students through graduation. For an associate professor appointment, candidates must have at least five years of experience as an assistant professor (eligible for promotion to associate professor upon appointment) at a comparable institution and must provide clear and convincing evidence of high levels of achievement in teaching and research, along with commensurate national or international recognition in either couple and family therapy, developmental science or family studies. The successful candidate must show clear and convincing evidence of, or clear potential for, successful teaching at the graduate level and securing external research funding. Please refer to UGA’s criteria for faculty appointment, promotion, and tenure.

Relevant/Preferred Education, Experience, Licensure, and/or Certification: Have experience as a clinical relational/systemic scholar (at least 5 years). Prior clinical history as a medical family therapist. Demonstrate a capacity to teach graduate level research methods courses in either quantitative methods, qualitative methods and/or mixed methods.

Is this a Position of Trust?: Yes

Does this position have operation, access, or control of financial resources?: No

Does this position require a P-Card?: No

Is having a P-Card an essential function of this position?: No

Is driving a responsibility of this position?: No

Does this position have direct interaction or care of children under the age of 18 or direct patient care?: Yes

Does this position have Security Access (e.g., public safety, IT security, personnel records, patient records, or access to chemicals and medications): Yes

Credit and P-Card policy: Be advised a credit check will be required for all positions with financial responsibilities. For additional information about the credit check criteria, visit the UGA Credit Background Check website.

Background Investigation Policy: Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background investigation including, a criminal background check demonstrating your eligibility for employment with the University of Georgia; confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application materials (including reference checks) as they relate to the job-based requirements of the position applied for; and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check. You may also be subject to a pre-employment drug test for positions with high-risk responsibilities, if applicable. Please visit the UGA Background Check website.