Assistant/Associate Professor of Psychology (Clinical) -

Western Carolina University; Cullowhee (NC); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Western Carolina University seeks an Assistant/Associate Professor of Psychology (Clinical) for a 9-month, tenure-track appointment on the Cullowhee, NC campus. The role includes teaching a 3-3 load (Fall/Spring) and supervising graduate training in the McKee Clinic and External Practicum.

The candidate should hold a doctorate in clinical or health service psychology from an APA-accredited program; ABDs with degree conferred by 8/1/2026 will be considered. licensure is preferred.

Qualifications

• PhD or PsyD in clinical or health service psychology from an APA-accredited program.
• ABD candidates may be considered with degree conferral by 8/1/2026.
• Licensed or license-eligible as psychologist preferred.

Responsibilities

• Teach 9-month, tenure-track courses in undergraduate and graduate psychology programs.
• Supervise graduate students in the McKee Clinic and External Practicum as part of the teaching load.
• Engage in disciplinary research aligned with the department's goals and collaborate across campus.

Education

Doctorate (PhD or PsyD) in clinical or health service psychology from an APA-accredited program

ABD candidates with degree conferral by 8/1/2026

Job description

Assistant/Associate Professor of Psychology (Clinical) - #192788

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,
• teaching statement
• list of three professional references with complete contact information,
• unofficial transcripts showing degree conferral dates for all degrees at the master’s degree level and higher
• optional materials (e.g., evidence of teaching effectiveness, a representative publication)

For questions or additional information please contact David Solomon at [e-mail]

*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.

Working Title Assistant/Associate Professor of Psychology (Clinical) - #192788

Department

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.
The Psychology Department at Western Carolina University ( WCU ) invites applications for a 9-month, tenure-track faculty position at the Assistant or Associate professor level. Rank to be determined at the time of hire. Anticipated begin work date of August 2027. The typical teaching load is 3-3 (Fall/Spring), consisting of both undergraduate and graduate courses. Supervision of graduate students in the McKee Clinic and External Practicum is included in the 3/3 teaching load.

The successful candidate will show evidence of or potential for success in the teaching and supervision of students in our APA accredited post-masters Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) in Health Service Psychology program and our scientist-practitioner oriented MA program in clinical psychology. Each of these residential programs has a theoretical orientation consistent with behavioral/cognitive-behavioral foundations and accept typically 6 to 8 students per cohort. The preparation of psychologists who can serve the region, as well as expanding access to evidence-based services for those living in rural communities, is an important part of our mission. Relevant to this faculty position is our department’s state‑of‑the‑art, public-facing McKee Assessment and Psychological Services Clinic, dedicated to providing advanced assessment and psychotherapy training for our graduate students (PsyD, SSP , MA) through affordable comprehensive services to individuals, families, and schools in our community. In addition to supervision of graduate students, the successful candidate would have an opportunity to teach seminar style courses in the MA and PsyD programs, and teach in the undergraduate program. Course assignments are decided based on department and program needs, as well as faculty interests and experience. To this end, the eligible candidate needs to have earned a doctorate (PhD or PsyD) in clinical or health service psychology from an APA -accredited program and be able to supervise graduate trainees as part of the teaching load. Being licensed or license eligible (near completion of post-doctoral hours) as a psychologist in North Carolina is preferred. The typical breakdown for faculty workload is 60% teaching, 20% research, and 20% service.

As a teacher scholar, the successful faculty member is expected to maintain a program of meaningful disciplinary research that is engaging to both undergraduate and graduate students. The area of research is open, however, interest and expertise in neurodevelopmental disorders such as Autism or Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder ( ADHD ), or child and adolescent psychopathology more broadly, may fill an important need in the department. In addition, the department has dedicated research spaces (‘labs’) for Cognitive Science, Human Neuroscience (with EEG equipment), and Health Psychology, respectively, as well as faculty expertise in substance use, maternal mental health, forensic psychology, traumatic stress, human sexuality, psycholinquistics, and developmental psychology (childhood, adolescence, and aging focus), to name a few. Additionally, the faculty member would enjoy also the many opportunities for partnering with colleagues across campus, and connect with schools-, hospitals-, non-profit organizations, research consortiums, and other service providers in the region.

At the undergraduate level, the psychology major is one WCU’s largest majors with approximately 500 students. The department, college, and university offer faculty internal funding opportunities to support scholarship, conference travel, and professional development. Moreover, WCU is a 12,000-student regional comprehensive university in the University of North Carolina system. The university offers 115 undergraduate programs and more than 40 graduate programs. The campus is located in the picturesque Cullowhee valley between the Great Smoky and Blue Ridge Mountains, just minutes from the town of Sylva, public schools, recreation centers, trails, and rivers. Campus is midway between Charlotte and Atlanta, 50 miles west of Asheville, NC, a city with vibrant art, entertainment, food, and culture scenes, and 20 miles west of Waynesville, NC, the largest town in Western North Carolina with many options for dining, shopping, entertainment, and craft breweries. The entire region is noted for its excellent quality of life and access to outdoor activities.

The Department of Psychology is located in the College of Education and Allied Professions ( CEAP ). Psychology, CEAP , and Western Carolina University holds inclusive excellence as a core value, and we work together to foster a welcoming community, where all are respected and know they belong.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities Required for this Position

Minimum Qualifications

• Doctorate (PhD or PsyD) in clinical or health service psychology or closely related field from an APA -accredited program.
• ABD candidates will be considered with degree conferral by 8/1/2026.

Preferred Qualifications

• Licensed or license eligible as a psychologist.
• Completed or near completion of post-doctoral hours toward licensure.

Position Type Permanent Full-Time

Number of Months Per Year 9

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 www.dhs.gov/E-Verify. Proper documentation of identity and employability are required at the time of employment.

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 [phone] or email at [e-mail].

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.

Required Documents

• Cover Letter/Letter of Application
• Curriculum Vitae
• Research Statement
• Teaching Philosophy
• List of references
• Unofficial Transcripts

Optional Documents

• Other Document

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).