POSITION SUMMARY

The Department of Human Services and Counseling at MSU Denver invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track faculty position centering on excellence in teaching, advising, scholarship, and service. This is a 9-month faculty appointment beginning Fall 2025. The standard teaching load is 12 credit hours per semester which includes assignments in both undergraduate and graduate programs. This position includes an initial appointment as Program Director, with continuation contingent upon satisfactory performance. In this role, the selected candidate will receive a reduced teaching load of 6 to 9 credits per semester, with an expectation of fulfilling program-related duties during the summer term.
The successful candidate will teach across multiple delivery formats including in-person, hybrid, and asynchronous modalities; teaching may include evening, weekend, and online courses with on-campus teaching required each semester. The role also includes advising students in areas such as academic planning, addiction credentialing, graduate school preparation, and career exploration. Additional responsibilities include active service to the department, college, university, and broader community; engagement in scholarly activities that contribute to both academic and professional communities; and cultivating partnerships within helping professions at local, regional, and national levels.
Preference will be given to candidates with expertise in mental health and addiction studies and the ability to teach across courses in that content area. Candidates should also demonstrate experience working with students from diverse backgrounds, including but not limited to students of color, first-generation college students, individuals with disabilities, students across the gender and sexuality spectrum, and students from a range of socioeconomic contexts.

The Department of Human Services and Counseling values engaged scholarship with a focus on community impact and the public good. We are particularly interested in candidates whose work addresses one or more of the following areas:

• Reducing inequities in clinical service delivery among historically marginalized populations
• Supporting the success and preparation of diverse students, including those with intersectional identities
• Advancing interprofessional education and collaborative practice
• Innovating clinical service delivery in prevention, assessment, and intervention

MSU Denver is deeply committed to inclusive excellence and seeks applicants with a demonstrated commitment to advancing equity in higher education. New tenure-track faculty participate in MSU Denver’s Roadrunner Faculty Academy , a year-long professional development program designed to support early career faculty in their teaching, scholarly work, and service roles.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Doctoral degree in Counselor Education, preferably from a CACREP-accredited program
• Current LPC (licensed professional counselor)
• Minimum of two years of professional experience in mental health and addiction counseling

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Doctoral degree in Counselor Education
• Current CAS (Certified Addiction Specialist) or LAC (Licensed Addiction Counselor) credential
• Three or more years of direct clinical experience in mental health and addiction counseling
• Demonstrated success in teaching, preferably in a higher education setting
• Experience working collaboratively with interdisciplinary teams
  We encourage you to apply even if you do not meet every preferred qualification. We are most interested in finding the candidate who will best contribute to our Department and the University.

• Teach graduate-level counseling courses across multiple formats (in-person, hybrid, online)
• Serve as academic advisor for graduate counseling students
• Deliver instruction aligned with CACREP standards and program learning outcomes
• Serve as a resource for students regarding program policies, licensure and certificate pathways, career pathways, and academic progression
• Contribute to ongoing curriculum design, development, and revision
• Maintain current, evidence-based content and culturally responsive teaching practices
• Participate in assessment of student learning outcomes and program effectiveness
• Promote inclusive practices across curriculum, pedagogy, and student engagement
• Contribute to departmental, university, and professional service through committee work
• Engage in ongoing research, scholarship, and professional writing that advance the field and align with the mission of the department
• Stay informed on national trends, policy changes, and best practices in mental health and addiction counseling
• Assist with student recruitment, admissions interviews, and orientation events
• Maintain licensure or certification as applicable (e.g., LPC, LAC)

Additional Program Director Responsibilities

• Provide leadership in the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of the counseling program curriculum
• Ensure alignment with accreditation standards (e.g., CACREP, NASAC) and licensure requirements
• Coordinate course scheduling in collaboration with faculty, clinical director, office coordinator and department chair
• Work with the Clinical Director to ensure appropriate practicum and internship placements
• Monitor curriculum mapping and ensure all student learning outcomes are addressed
• Oversee data collection, analysis, and reporting for program evaluation and improvement
• Collaborate with the department chair in hiring, onboarding, and mentoring affiliate faculty
• Serve as a resource for graduate students regarding program policies, licensure pathways, and academic progression
• Run student orientation, program meetings, and admissions interviews along with faculty and staff
• Lead the graduate admissions process, including application review, interviews, and selection of candidates along with faculty and staff
• Collaborate with the department chair and office coordinator on budget planning and resource allocation
• Manage program policies, student handbooks, and official communications