Assistant Professor

California State University San Marcos; San Marcos (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

California State University San Marcos seeks a tenure-track assistant professor in Counseling or Clinical Psychology for Fall 2027. The department will launch a Master’s program in Clinical Counseling Psychology and emphasizes empirical teaching and student-engaged scholarship.

The successful candidate will shape the program curriculum, support clinic development, and build relationships with community partners while teaching and mentoring both undergraduate and graduate students in a

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology, Clinical Psychology, or closely related field before appointment (ABD acceptable; PhD required by Aug 2027).
• Evidence of university teaching excellence and ability to teach graduate courses.
• Active, sustainable research program with student involvement and ability to supervise Master’s theses.

Responsibilities

• Shape curriculum and contribute to the Master’s program development.
• Support clinic development and establish community partnerships.
• Engage in rotating program-related responsibilities (e.g., summer teaching, evaluating Master’s projects) and collaborate with undergraduate and graduate students.

Skills

Teaching excellence

Mentoring Master’s theses

Curriculum development

Community engagement

Education

Ph.D. in Counseling or Clinical Psychology (ABD acceptable)

Tools

Licensure eligibility as LPCC/psychologist in CA

Job description

California State University San Marcos expects to hire one (1) tenure-track assistant professor for Fall 2027 with expertise in Counseling or Clinical Psychology. The Psychology department at California State University San Marcos serves over 2000 students, offering two in-person Bachelor’s degrees (Psychological Science and Child and Adolescent Development) and two Master’s degrees (M.A. in Psychological Science and M.S. in Clinical Counseling Psychology). In Fall 2026, the department is launching the Master’s degree program in Clinical Counseling Psychology, preparing students to pursue licensure as a professional clinical counselor (LPCC), to which this new hire will primarily contribute. The successful candidate will play a meaningful role in the continued development and long-term leadership of the program, including shaping its curriculum, supporting clinic development, and building relationships with community partners. In addition, to support the program’s year-round operations, it is expected that affiliated faculty will participate in a rotating schedule of program-related responsibilities (e.g., summer teaching, evaluation of Master’s projects).

The department employs a teacher-scholar model (with tenure-line faculty teaching a 3-3 load), emphasizing psychology as an empirical science and the development of skills that include written and oral communication, information literacy, quantitative and qualitative research methods, and critical analysis of complex problems. Multicultural perspectives and ethical issues are integral to the department’s curriculum. The position offers opportunities to work closely with undergraduate and graduate students in a department that values high-quality teaching and collaborative, student-engaged scholarship.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology, Clinical Psychology, or a closely related field prior to date of appointment (ABD applicants accepted; PhD required by August 2027). Applicants whose degree is in a related field should explain how their doctoral training prepares them to contribute to a psychology-based clinical counseling program and meet the responsibilities of the position.
• Applicants must have demonstrated evidence of teaching excellence at the university level (e.g., student evaluations/summaries, peer observation summaries), and should demonstrate preparation to teach graduate courses and evaluate Master’s projects in the M.S. in Clinical Counseling Psychology program that support students’ preparation for LPCC licensure.
• Only candidates who demonstrate an active, sustainable research program with opportunities for student involvement and the ability to supervise Master’s theses in the M.A. program will be considered.

DESIRED/PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Evidence of ability to communicate, work, and serve our student body.
• Current license or license eligible as an LPCC, psychologist, or related mental health license in the state of California.
• The area of research focus is open; we particularly welcome applicants whose research program complements and enhances the department’s current strengths.
• Preference for the ability to teach needed courses in the Clinical Counseling Psychology program and within the existing undergraduate curriculum (e.g., related to abnormal psychology, child/adolescent development and policy, psychological assessment).
• Demonstration of intercultural competence and a commitment to serving a diverse campus community as it relates to teaching, research and/or service.

TIMELINE:

A review of applications will begin on November 2, 2026; however, the position will be open until filled.

CSUSM is proud to have received the Higher Education Excellence and Distinction (HEED) Award for 12 consecutive years in recognition of its commitment to academic excellence, belonging, and community-building. CSUSM is a federally designated Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) and Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI). In 2024, CSUSM also earned the Seal of Excelencia in recognition of its intentional efforts to support Latinx student success. More than half of CSUSM undergraduate students identify as Latinx, and a majority of recent graduates are the first in their families to earn a bachelor’s degree. CSUSM is also home to numerous Centers and Institutes that facilitate interdisciplinary research, community engagement, public service, and specialized training. These include the California Indian Culture and Sovereignty Center, the National Latino Research Center, the Center for Research and Engagement in STEM Education, and the Center for Training, Research, and Educational Excellence, among others.

This position is subject to employment verification, education verification, reference checks and criminal record checks. An offer of appointment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check, including a criminal records check, and may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information.

California State University San Marcos is an affirmative action/Equal Opportunity Employer that is strongly committed to promoting diversity in all areas of the campus community. We consider qualified applicants for employment without regard to age, physical or mental disability, gender or sex, genetic information, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, medical condition, nationality, race or ethnicity, religion or religious creed, sexual orientation, and veteran or military status.

The person holding this position is considered a limited 'mandated reporter' under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 (revised July 21, 2017) as a condition of employment.