Assistant/Associate Professor of Psychology (Clinical) Application materials must be submitted online. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until a candidate has been selected for hire. Please include the following:letter of application, current CV, research statementteaching statementlist of three professional references with complete contact information, unofficial transcripts showing degree conferral dates for all degrees at the master's degree level and higher*optional materials (e.g., evidence of teaching effectiveness, a representative publication) For questions or additional information please contact David Solomon at dsolomon@wcu.edu *All applicants are required to submit an unofficial transcript of their highest attained degree, showing all completed coursework and the date the degree was conferred. The transcript must state Degree Awarded, Degree Conferred or a similar phrase. For candidates who are ABD, please submit your most recent doctoral program transcript along with your master's degree transcript, if you hold such a degree. The master's degree transcript must have a notation such as Degree Awarded, Degree Conferred or similar phrase, to verify it as your highest completed degree. Posting Details Posting Information
Posting Number: FAC970PClassification Title - Assistant/Associate Professor
Working Title - Assistant/Associate Professor of Psychology (Clinical) - #192788 Department - Psychology About WCU - Western Carolina University continues to rank high on Forbes 'Best Employers' lists each year. Including:2025 – Ranked 1st in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes 'America's Best Employers by State' list.2024 – Ranking in the top 8.5% on Forbes 'America's 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 'America's 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 'America's Best Employers by State' list. Western Carolina University is the UNC system's 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.
Position Summary:
The primary location of this position is on 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. Rank to be determined at the time of hire. Anticipated begin work date of August 2027. The typical teaching load is 3-3 (Fall/Spring), consisting of both undergraduate and graduate courses. Supervision of graduate students in the McKee Clinic and External Practicum is included in the 3/3 teaching load. The successful candidate will show evidence of or potential for success in the teaching and supervision of students in our APA-accredited post-masters Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) in Health Service Psychology program and our scientist-practitioner oriented MA program in clinical psychology. Each of these residential programs has a theoretical orientation consistent with behavioral/cognitive-behavioral foundations and accept typically 6 to 8 students per cohort. The preparation of psychologists who can serve the region, as well as expanding access to evidence-based services for those living in rural communities, is an important part of our mission. Relevant to this faculty position is our department's state-of-the-art, public-facing McKee Assessment and Psychological Services Clinic, dedicated to providing advanced assessment and psychotherapy training for our graduate students (PsyD, SSP, MA) through affordable comprehensive services to individuals, families, and schools in our community. In addition to supervision of graduate students, the successful candidate would have an opportunity to teach seminar style courses in the MA and PsyD programs, and teach in the undergraduate program. Course assignments are decided based on department and program needs, as well as faculty interests and experience. To this end, the eligible candidate needs to have earned a doctorate (PhD or PsyD) in clinical or health service psychology from an APA-accredited program and be able to supervise graduate trainees as part of the teaching load. Being licensed or license eligible (near completion of post-doctoral hours) as a psychologist in North Carolina is preferred. The typical breakdown for faculty workload is 60% teaching, 20% research, and 20% service. As a teacher scholar, the successful faculty member is expected to maintain a program of meaningful disciplinary research that is engaging to both undergraduate and graduate students. The area of research is open, however, interest and expertise in neurodevelopmental disorders such as Autism or Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), or child and adolescent psychopathology more broadly, may fill an important need in the department. In addition, the department has dedicated research spaces ('labs') for Cognitive Science, Human Neuroscience (with EEG equipment), and Health Psychology, respectively, as well as faculty expertise in substance use, maternal mental health, forensic psychology, traumatic stress, human sexuality, psycholinguistics, and developmental psychology (childhood, adolescence, and aging focus), to name a few. Additionally, the faculty member would enjoy also the many opportunities for partnering with colleagues across campus, and connect with schools-, hospitals-, non-profit organizations, research consortiums, and other service providers in the region. At the undergraduate level, the psychology major is one WCU's largest majors with approximately 500 students. The department, college, and university offer faculty internal funding opportunities to support scholarship, conference travel, and professional development. Moreover, WCU is a 12,000-student regional comprehensive university in the University of North Carolina system. The university offers 115 undergraduate programs and more than 40 graduate programs. The campus is located in the picturesque Cullowhee valley between the Great Smoky and Blue Ridge Mountains, just minutes from the town of Sylva, public schools, recreation centers, trails, and rivers. Campus is midway between Charlotte and Atlanta, 50 miles west of Asheville, NC, a city with vibrant art, entertainment, food, and culture scenes, and 20 miles west of Waynesville, NC, the largest town in Western North Carolina with many options for dining, shopping, entertainment, and craft breweries. The entire region is noted for its excellent quality of life and access to outdoor activities. The Department of Psychology is located in the College of Education and Allied Professions (CEAP). Psychology, CEAP, and Western Carolina University holds inclusive excellence as a core value, and we work together to foster a welcoming community, where all are respected and know they belong. Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities Required for this Position
Minimum Qualifications:
Doctorate (PhD or PsyD) in clinical or health service psychology or closely related field from an APA-accredited program. ABD candidates will be considered with degree conferral by 8/1/2026.
Preferred Qualifications:
Licensed or license eligible as a psychologist. Completed or near completion of post-doctoral hours toward licensure.
Position Type:
Permanent Full-TimeNumber of Hours Per WeekNumber of Months Per Year - 9Open Date - 10/01/2026 Close DateOpen Until Filled - YesBackground/E-Verify - Final candidates are subject to criminal
