Assistant Professor of Psychology (Clinical Counseling)

California State University San Marcos; San Marcos (CA); On-site; USD 84,000 - 96,000; Full time

Job summary

California State University San Marcos invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor in Psychology for Fall 2027 to contribute to Counseling or Clinical Psychology programs. The role includes shaping curriculum, developing the clinic, and forging community partnerships to support LPCC licensure pathways.

The department serves 2000+ students across undergrad and graduate programs; successful candidate will engage in teaching graduate courses, supervise Master’s theses, and maintain

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology, Clinical Psychology, or a closely related field by appointment date; ABD applicants accepted with PhD conferral required by hire date.
• Demonstrated evidence of teaching excellence at the university level, and ability to teach graduate courses and evaluate Master’s projects in CP/MS programs.
• Active, sustainable research program with opportunities for student involvement and ability to supervise Master’s theses.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to curriculum development and long-term leadership of the counseling/clinical psychology program.
• Support clinic development and build relationships with community partners.
• Teach graduate courses and supervise Master’s projects for LPCC licensure preparation.
• Engage in rotating program-related responsibilities (e.g., summer teaching, evaluation of Master’s projects).

Skills

Teaching excellence

Graduate teaching

Student supervision

Communication skills

Education

Ph.D. in Counseling or Clinical Psychology

ABD accepted; PhD conferral by hire date

Job description

Rank: Assistant Professor

Department: Psychology

Starting Date: Fall 2027

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 launched 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).

Minimum Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology, Clinical Psychology, or a closely related field prior to date of appointment (ABD applicants accepted; PhD conferral required by hire date). 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.

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 our campus community as it relates to teaching, research and/or service.

Anticipated Hiring Salary Range: $7,500 - $8,583 per month

CSU Classification Salary Range: $6,221- $13,224 per month

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

CSUSM is currently not sponsoring applicants for H-1B employment that are subject to the $100,000 fee established by the “Presidential Proclamation: Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers” issued on September 19, 2025. Applicants are responsible for determining the applicability of the fee.

CSUSM has been designated as a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) and was recently named one of the top 32 Colleges most friendly to junior faculty by the Collaborative on Academic Careers in Higher Education.

California State University San Marcos is an Equal Opportunity Employer 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.

Per the California State University’s Out-of-State Employment Policy , the CSU is prohibited from hiring employees to perform CSU-related work outside California. Working in the State of California is a condition of employment.

The person holding this position is considered a 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 as a condition of employment.

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. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who was conditionally offered the position.

Education Code 89521 Requirements: Applicants will be required to disclose whether they have received a final administrative decision or final judicial decision determining that they have committed sexual harassment within the last 7 years only after a determination is made that they meet the minimum qualifications for the position, and before an offer of employment is extended. Applicants who reach the final stages of the application process must also sign a release form that authorizes the release of information by the applicant’s current and/or former employers to the CSU concerning any substantiated allegations of misconduct.

The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act or Clery Act Notification can be found at Clery Act Notification .