Visiting Assistant Professor - MEd Counseling

Faculty Posting Details

Appointment:
The University of Puget Sound School of Education, MEd Counseling Program invites applications for a full-time (3-unit) visiting assistant faculty position for the 2027 spring term. The program holds CACREP accreditation and prepares students across two specialty areas: School Counseling (SC) and Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC). The program operates both a fully on-campus cohort and a low-residency hybrid cohort; the successful candidate will teach across both modalities. This is a one-term, non-renewable appointment for Spring 2027 (January-May).

Description:
We are seeking a counselor educator whose primary clinical and professional expertise is in clinical mental health counseling, and who brings genuine enthusiasm for teaching across both the School Counseling and Clinical Mental Health Counseling specialty areas. All program faculty teach shared curriculum across both tracks; the successful candidate understands and embraces the integrative, generalist perspective this requires.

The successful candidate centers collaboration, teamwork, collegiality, and communication, and holds close student mentoring and advising as a critical aspect of their role. They support a developmental perspective of student professional growth and are committed to preparing future practitioners for diverse and complex practice settings.

Responsibilities:
Anticipated teaching responsibilities include one unit of COUN 630 Research & Program Evaluation (on-campus), one unit of COUN 630H Research & Program Evaluation (hybrid online including synchronous and asynchronous course delivery and participation in our hybrid residency weekend April 9-11, 2027), and one additional unit.

The faculty member will engage collaboratively with program faculty in curriculum development and program evaluation activities in support of CACREP accreditation. Supervision responsibilities include contributing to the placement, observation, and mentoring of graduate students in local public schools and mental health agencies. Advising responsibilities include meeting with prospective students and providing mentoring to enrolled graduate students. Other duties include participation in departmental governance and continuation of professional development in the faculty member's area of expertise.

Other Essential Functions:

• Prepare, teach, review, and revise assigned courses while ensuring alignment with the overall program curriculum and CACREP 2024 accreditation standards
• Pursue excellence in teaching across both on-campus and hybrid modalities
• Maintain a commitment to delivering culturally responsive and inclusive teaching practices
• Collaborate and communicate effectively with colleagues and students within both the on-campus and hybrid program formats
• Contribute to assessment, data collection, and continuous improvement processes in support of CACREP accreditation
• Demonstrate alignment with the missions of the University of Puget Sound and the MEd Counseling Program
• Display professionalism consistent with the expectations of the University of Puget Sound MEd Counseling Program

Qualifications:

Required:

1. Doctorate in counselor education and supervision, preferably from a CACREP-accredited program; OR doctoral degree in a related field with employment as full-time faculty member in a counselor education program for a minimum of one full academic year before July 1, 2013. ABD candidates near completion of a research or post-professional doctorate will be considered
2. Clinical experience as a licensed mental health counselor (LMHC) in Washington State, or eligibility to obtain licensure; or certified or eligible to be certified as an ESA School Counselor.
3. Knowledge of equity- and inclusion-informed theories and demonstrated experience working with diverse populations
4. Commitment to teaching students within both School Counseling and Clinical Mental Health Counseling specialty areas

Preferred:

• Experience teaching at any academic level within at least one graduate or undergraduate course
• Experience teaching in a CACREP-accredited program
• Experience mentoring and/or advising graduate students
• Experience with co-teaching
• Familiarity with school counseling practice, the ASCA model, or educational settings, in addition to CMHC expertise
• Familiarity with Washington State RCWs and WACs governing counseling practice
• Experience with or interest in low-residency or hybrid graduate education
• Research interests or professional experience in evidence-based, culturally responsive interventions
• Commitment to community engagement and liberal arts education

Application Deadline:
Interested individuals are encouraged to submit application materials no later than October 23, 2026, to ensure full consideration. To apply, please submit the required documents via the online job portal at www.pugetsound.edu/employment.

Compensation and Benefits:
Rank: Visiting Assistant Professor

Salary is commensurate with education and experience.

Faculty salaries at the University of Puget Sound are based on a common salary scale. Assistant Professor salaries for 2026-2027 begin at $75,820 annualized for an Assistant Professor with a terminal degree in their first year of full-time postdoctoral 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 MEd Program:
The Master of Education in Counseling program at the University of Puget Sound offers two CACREP-accredited specialty areas: School Counseling and Clinical Mental Health Counseling. MEd candidates are placed in local public schools and mental health agencies for practicum and internship. Supervision is provided by core and affiliate faculty. MEd faculty collaborate closely on ongoing curriculum and program development to train reflective, collaborative, and social justice counselors. The MEd program offers two cohort-based programs/delivery modes: a fully in-person cohort and a new low-residency hybrid online cohort program.. More information about the program is located on the program website: https://www.pugetsound.edu/academics/master-education-counseling

About the School of Education:
The School of Education offers three programs: Master of Education in Counseling program, a Master of Arts in Teaching program, and a minor in Education Studies. Students experience sustained clinical experiences in local public schools, mental health agencies, and/or community centers. Students actively pursue culturally responsive practice and contribute collaboratively to the ongoing work of equity.

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
• Writing sample
• Teaching evaluations
• Diversity Statement (see prompt below)
• 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.

How to Apply
For complete job description and application instructions, visit: www.pugetsound.edu/employment

About Puget Sound
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