Embark on a rewarding career shaping the next generation of mental health professionals by exploring Assistant/Associate Professor, Counseling and Human Development jobs. This pivotal faculty role sits at the intersection of advanced clinical practice, academic leadership, and scholarly inquiry within higher education. Professionals in this capacity are primarily responsible for teaching, mentoring, and guiding graduate students in CACREP-accredited or similar counseling programs, preparing them for licensure and impactful careers as professional counselors, school counselors, or clinical mental health counselors. The core responsibilities of an Assistant or Associate Professor in this field are multifaceted, typically encompassing the triumvirate of academic life: teaching, scholarship, and service. Teaching involves designing and delivering graduate-level courses in areas such as counseling theories, techniques, group work, assessment, ethics, and human development. Faculty employ inclusive, evidence-based pedagogical strategies, often in both on-campus and online formats, to foster critical thinking and clinical competence. A significant portion of the role is dedicated to student advisement, mentoring, and supporting remediation processes to ensure student success and retention. Beyond the classroom, maintaining an active scholarly agenda is a fundamental expectation. This involves conducting original research, publishing in peer-reviewed journals, presenting at national conferences, and contributing to the evolving body of knowledge in counselor education and supervision. Service is equally critical, requiring participation in program, departmental, and university committees, contributing to curriculum development and review, and actively engaging in accreditation processes to uphold program quality and standards. Many also provide service to the broader profession through leadership in counseling associations. Typical requirements for these academic jobs include an earned doctorate (Ph.D. or Ed.D.) in Counselor Education and Supervision, preferably from a CACREP-accredited program. Licensure or eligibility for licensure as a professional counselor (LPC, LPCC) or school counselor is highly standard, coupled with demonstrated clinical experience in mental health or school settings. Candidates are expected to show potential or a proven record in scholarly publication and teaching at the graduate level. Essential skills include exceptional communication and mentorship abilities, a collaborative and team-oriented mindset, cultural competence, curriculum development expertise, and the capacity to balance multiple responsibilities in a dynamic academic environment. For those passionate about advancing the counseling profession through education, these faculty jobs offer a unique opportunity to leave a lasting legacy on the field and the communities it serves.
