Assistant Professor - Counseling - #000809

Posting Number FAC893P Quick Link for Internal Postings Classification Title Assistant Professor Working Title Assistant Professor - Counseling - #000809 Department Human Services About WCU Western Carolina University continues to rank high on Forbes 'Best Employers' lists each year. Including: * 2025 - Ranked 1st in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes 'America's Best Employers by State' list. * 2024 - Ranking in the top 8.5% on Forbes 'America's Best Midsize Employers' list, WCU was ranked 34 out of the top 400 employers across all industries. * 2023 - Ranked in the top 20% on Forbes 'America's Best Midsize Employers' list, WCU was ranked 97 out of the top 500 employers across all industries. * 2022 - Ranked 14th in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes 'America's Best Employers by State' list. Western Carolina University is the UNC system's westernmost campus and has been consistently ranked as one of the top 15 public regional institutions in the South. Employees of WCU are provided a comprehensive benefits package as well as other resources, policies and programs to ensure a happy and healthy work/life balance. Benefit eligible employees have access to dental, vision and health insurance plans - eligibility begins on the first of the month following date of hire. Retirement plan contributions begin on the eligibility date following election and include employer contributions for either a defined contribution or a defined benefit plan. Optional disability plans are also available. Eligible employees have access to tuition waivers for up to three courses per academic year; employee may enroll at any of the constituent UNC System campuses. Also offered are free group exercise classes multiple times per week, a discounted membership to the campus recreation center, free vaccine and booster shots offered on campus, pretax flexible spending accounts, 12 paid holidays and 24 hours of paid community service leave each year. Leave earning employees (staff and 12-month faculty) who work at least half of the working days of their first month of employment will begin accruing vacation and sick leave immediately. Paid parental leave after 12 months of continuous service. WCU offers an abundance of training and development programs, certifications, workshops and conferences - many of which are offered free of charge. Position Summary The primary location of this position is on the main Cullowhee, NC campus. Western Carolina University (WCU) invites applications for a 9-month, tenure-track Assistant Professor faculty position in the graduate Counseling program. Anticipated starting work date is August 1, 2026 (with the possibility of January 1, 2027 depending on candidate availability). The Counseling Program is located in the Human Services Department in the College of Education and Allied Professions. The Human Services Department (HS) is a diverse department offering a wide range of undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate degrees in fields intended to meet a variety of human needs. The successful candidate will teach, supervise, and advise students in a CACREP-accredited, master's degree program in Counseling (school and clinical mental health counseling specialties) at the WCU instructional site at Biltmore Park in Asheville, NC. Courses are offered to students in day and evening sections with the expectation of faculty working 1-2 nights per semester. Duties: * Teach three courses per semester (Fall/Spring; 60%) and advise students in the Counseling Program. Summer teaching opportunities for additional compensation. Teach courses such as group counseling, helping skills, theories, assessment, lifespan development, and practicum/internship, among other CACREP core courses or self-developed electives. * Conduct scholarship and research activities according to the department and university guidelines (20%). * Provide program, department, college, and university service (20%). Assist with student recruitment activities, review student admissions applications, monitor student progress, and collaborate with clinical agencies on professional development and outreach services. Serve as Clinical Mental Health field placement coordinator. Perform other related service duties as requested. Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities Required for this Position Minimum Qualifications * Earned doctorate in counselor education by August 2026. Special consideration may be made for those with an earned doctorate by December 2026. * Experience as a professional counselor in agency setting and/or private practice. * Licensure/license eligibility in clinical mental health counseling. * Evidence of, or potential for, expertise in master's-level teaching in CACREP core curriculum and clinical mental health counseling specialty area . * Experience and commitment to working with a wide variety of populations. * Evidence of, or potential for, scholarship and service. Preferred Qualifications * Doctoral degree in counselor education from a CACREP-accredited doctoral program. * North Carolina LCMHC licensure or eligibility. * Experience or interest in teaching courses: group counseling (highest priority), helping skills, theories, assessment, lifespan development, and practicum/internship. * Experience in agency field placement. * Demonstrate promise for excellence in teaching, a record of scholarship, and service. Position Type Permanent Full-Time Number of Hours Per Week Number of Months Per Year 9 Posting Text Open Date 03/02/2026 Close Date Open Until Filled Yes Special Instructions to Applicants Application materials must be submitted online. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until a candidate has been selected for hire. Please include the following: letter of application, current CV, list of three professional references with complete contact information, and unofficial transcripts showing degree conferral dates for all degrees at the master's degree level and higher*. For questions or additional information please contact Dr. Lisen Roberts, Search Committee Chair, at: * All applicants are required to submit an unofficial transcript of their highest attained degree, showing all completed coursework and the date the degree was conferred. The transcript must state Degree Awarded, Degree Conferred or a similar phrase. For candidates who are ABD, please submit your most recent doctoral program transcript along with your master's degree transcript, if you hold such a degree. The master's degree transcript must have a notation such as Degree Awarded, Degree Conferred or similar phrase, to verify it as your highest completed degree. Background/E-Verify Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. Western Carolina University uses E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit Proper documentation of identity and employability are required at the time of employment. Credential Verification All new employees are required to have listed credentials/degrees verified within 30 days of employment. All new employees who will be teaching are required to provide official transcripts within 30 days of employment. Transcripts should be provided for the highest earned degree and/or the degree which is being used to satisfy credential/qualification requirements. EOE Western Carolina University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; ethnicity; religion; sex; pregnancy; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; national origin; age; disability; genetic information; political affiliation; National Guard or veteran status, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations, and policies, and the policies of The University of North Carolina. Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations in the application and interview process please call (828) 227-7218 or email at . University Safety The Western Carolina University Annual Safety Report is available online at University Annual Safety Report or in hard-copy by request at the office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, 227 HFR Administration Building, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7147) or the Office of University Police, 111 Camp Annex, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7301). The report, required of all universities participating in Title IV student financial aid programs, discusses crime statistics, procedures for reporting suspicious or criminal activity, security, police authority, crime prevention strategies, university policies on substance abuse and sexual offenses, workplace violence and fire safety.

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