Program Director, Master of Arts in Counseling (MAC) Program

City University of Seattle; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

City University of Seattle is seeking an experienced leader to head the MAC program in the School of Health and Social Sciences. The Program Director will provide visionary leadership, oversee curriculum design, assessment, and accreditation alignment, and supervise faculty and staff to ensure an exceptional student experience.

The role emphasizes practical training, diverse learner support, internship development, governance participation, and ongoing program enhancement to prepare competent

Qualifications

• Doctoral degree in Counseling or related field from an accredited program.
• Three+ years of higher education management and adult education with teaching experience in both in-class and online modes.
• Program development, administration, and leadership experience.
• Experience leading and managing in a creative and fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work comfortably with and manage virtual teams.
• Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal skills with diverse students, faculty, staff, and external communities.
• Professional image and presentation.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and learning management systems (LMS).

Responsibilities

• Lead the vision, strategy, and continuous improvement of the MAC program.
• Ensure academic excellence, program quality, and an exceptional student experience.
• Oversee curriculum assessment, development, and accreditation alignment.
• Oversee student internships and community partnerships.
• Develop and maintain high-quality internship sites and supervisor relationships.
• Support student success in field placement and professional development.
• Teach up to three courses annually or the equivalent within compensation.
• Foster engaging, inclusive, and student-centered learning environments.
• Mentor students to become ethical, culturally responsive professionals.
• Recruit, supervise, develop, and evaluate faculty and academic staff.
• Promote collaboration, accountability, and professional growth.
• Provide coaching, mentoring, and performance leadership.
• Ensure curriculum reflects current practice, accreditation standards, and industry needs.
• Lead ongoing program assessment and curriculum enhancement initiatives.
• Advance innovative and impactful learning experiences.
• Participate in university governance, councils, and committees.
• Promote faculty scholarship and professional development.
• Build community partnerships and represent the program within the profession.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Virtual team management

Strategic planning

Education

Doctoral degree in Counseling or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Learning Management Systems (LMS)

Job description

Using a practitioner-scholar model, the Master of Arts in Counseling (MAC) program trains well-rounded clinical mental health counselors (CMHC) and professional school counselors (PSC) for the realities of day-to-day practice within a diverse world. The MAC program emphasizes practical application of theory, development of case conceptualization skills, ethical awareness, appreciation of diversity, and self-awareness. Students are introduced to a broad range of clinical issues through a breadth of coursework delivered by practitioner faculty. Supported clinical experiences focus on the delivery of clinical services and assist students to develop a coherent theoretical and ethical framework for practice. We are looking for an experienced professional to head our MAC program in the School of Health and Social Sciences.

Job Summary:

Program Directors are accountable for a quality student experience. Provide visionary leadership and management to ensure the success of the MAC program, including program design, curriculum development, assessment, and technology integration. Lead and manage academic staff, full-time faculty, and associate faculty. Foster student development and actively engage in educational governance.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Program Management

• Lead the vision, strategy, and continuous improvement of the MAC program.
• Ensure academic excellence, program quality, and an exceptional student experience.
• Oversee curriculum assessment, development, and accreditation alignment.
• Oversee student internship experiences and community partnerships.
• Develop and maintain high-quality internship sites and supervisor relationships.
• Support student success in field placement and professional development.

Teaching & Student Success

• Teach up to three courses annually or the equivalent within compensation.
• Foster engaging, inclusive, and student-centered learning environments.
• Mentor students in becoming ethical, culturally responsive professionals.

Faculty & Staff Leadership

• Recruit, supervise, develop, and evaluate faculty and academic staff.
• Promote a culture of collaboration, accountability, and professional growth.
• Provide coaching, mentoring, and performance leadership.

Curriculum & Academic Excellence

• Ensure curriculum reflects current practice, accreditation standards, and industry needs.
• Lead ongoing program assessment and curriculum enhancement initiatives.
• Advance innovative and impactful learning experiences.
• Participate in university governance, councils, and committees.
• Promote faculty scholarship, professional development, and academic currency.
• Build community partnerships and represent the program within the profession.

Minimum Qualifications:

• An earned doctoral degree from an accredited institution in Counseling or a related field, preferably from a CACREP-accredited program.
• Experience in higher education management and adult education, with a minimum of three years of proven experience in teaching, preferably in both in-class and online modes of educational delivery.
• Program development, administration, and leadership experience.
• Demonstrated experience leading and managing in a creative and fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work comfortably with and manage virtual teams.
• Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal skills. Must relate to and communicate with diverse students, faculty, staff, and external communities.
• Ability to present an appropriate professional image.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office products and learning management systems in support of quality teaching and learning.