"Program Director, Couple and Family Therapy Program"

Job Description Summary:

Samuel Merritt University’s College of Health Sciences invites applications for the inaugural Program Director of the Couple & Family Therapy (CFT) Program. We seek a visionary and collaborative leader committed to advancing the University’s mission of preparing skilled, compassionate, and culturally responsive healthcare professionals. The Program Director will guide the successful launch, development, and ongoing quality of the CFT Program, which is expected to begin in Fall 2026. This full-time, 12-month, on-ground position includes administrative leadership, teaching, advising, clinical program development, and faculty mentorship.
The Director will play a pivotal role in shaping the program’s curriculum, fostering academic excellence, and ensuring compliance with accreditation standards. The ideal candidate embraces inclusive leadership, values interdisciplinary collaboration, and is dedicated to training future marriage and family therapists to serve diverse communities with integrity and professional excellence.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Administration

• Provide visionary, mission-driven leadership for the development and continuous improvement of the CFT Program.
• Lead strategic planning, enrollment planning, and program evaluation to ensure sustainability and growth.
• Oversee faculty recruitment, hiring, onboarding, mentoring, and annual evaluations.
• Manage program operations, including budgets, scheduling, workload assignments, and physical/clinical resources.
• Ensure compliance with university policies, state regulatory standards, and COAMFTE accreditation requirements.
• Cultivate a collaborative, supportive, and inclusive program culture for faculty, staff, and students.

Academic & Curriculum Development

• Lead the design, implementation, assessment, and continuous enhancement of the CFT curriculum.
• Ensure that coursework, clinical training, and program outcomes align with professional competencies, accreditation standards, and best practices.
• Support and model innovative, evidence-informed teaching approaches, including interprofessional learning, digital tools, and active learning strategies.
• Oversee academic integrity, program assessment, student progression, and quality assurance processes.

Clinical Training & Partnerships

• Develop and oversee clinical training pathways, including partnerships with community agencies and clinical supervisors.
• Ensure clinical placements meet COAMFTE standards and provide high-quality training experience.
• Support the recruitment, training, and evaluation of clinical supervisors and adjunct faculty.

Service & Community Engagement

• Represent the program on university committees, professional organizations, and accreditation bodies.
• Engage in outreach builds community partnerships, enhances clinical opportunities, and elevates the program’s visibility.
• Advocate program needs, priorities, and accomplishments at institutional and community levels.

Education & Experience Requirements

• Doctoral degree from a COAMFTE-accredited program (required).
• Demonstrated administrative or leadership experience in higher education, preferably in a graduate program.
• Strong record of clinical practice, graduate-level teaching, and clinical training in Marriage & Family Therapy.
• Established scholarly record consistent with appointment at the rank of Associate Professor (3+ years) or Full Professor.
• Comprehensive knowledge of and experience with the COAMFTE accreditation process, including self-study preparation.
• Demonstrated excellence in communication, conflict resolution, team leadership, and stakeholder engagement.

Skills & Competencies

• Effective leadership and strategic planning capabilities.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to inspire, mentor, and support faculty and students.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage budgets, resources, and personnel effectively.

Employee Status: Regular
Exemption Status: United States of America (Exempt)
Time Type: Full time