Assistant​/Associate Professor of Psychology; School, Clinical, or Developmental

Western Carolina University continues to rank high on Forbes Best Employers lists each year. Including:
2024 - Ranking in the top 8.5% on Forbes Americas 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 Americas 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 Americas Best Employers by State list.
Western Carolina University is the UNC systems 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.

The primary location of this position is 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, with a projected start date of August 2026.

The typical teaching load is 3-3 (Fall/Spring), consisting of both undergraduate and graduate courses with a specific emphasis on courses within the Specialist in School Psychology (SSP) graduate program.

Potential courses to be taught include professional issues, psycho educational assessments, academic interventions, consultation, mental behavioral health, counseling, and pre-school assessment/intervention. In addition, depending on departmental needs, undergraduate teaching opportunities could include child and adolescent psychopathology, child development, and behavioral interventions.

Supervision of practicum students is also available through our departments state-of-the art, public-facing McKee Assessment and Psychological Services Clinic. The McKee Clinic is dedicated to providing advanced assessment training for our graduate students (MA Clinical, SSP, PsyD combined clinical/school) through affordable comprehensive services to individuals, families, and schools in our community. This supervision would be part of the teaching load. In addition, leadership and service opportunities are available within the SSP program and the department.

School and community involvement is seen as an essential part of this position. As a teacher scholar, the successful faculty member is also expected to maintain a program of meaningful disciplinary research that is engaging to both undergraduate and graduate students. Ample opportunity is available for interdisciplinary research collaborations.

The eligible candidate needs to have earned a doctorate (PhD or PsyD) in school psychology, developmental psychology, clinical psychology, or closely related field from an accredited program. Eligibility for NCSP certification and being licensed or license eligible as a school psychologist in North Carolina is particularly desirable.

The department of psychology is one of three departments located in the College of Education and Allied Professions (CEAP). CEAP is committed to attracting and retaining a diverse workforce and we are dedicated to creating an equitable and inclusive environment.

Doctorate in School Psychology, Clinical Psychology, Developmental Psychology or closely related field from an accredited institution.

Experience with the practice of school psychology or clinical child psychology, including comprehensive psychological assessment.