Assistant Professor of Counselor Education School Counseling, Fall 2027

The Department of Counseling, Human Development, and Family Science (CHDFS) at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, invites applicants for a 9-month, tenure-track Assistant Professor position in Counselor Education with a specialization in school counseling. The position has a start date of August 1, 2027.

The CHDFS mission is to promote optimal development and holistic well-being across the lifespan through research and practice that honors the complexities of individuals, families, and communities. We strive to achieve our mission by (a) conducting high-quality scientific research to advance our disciplines and inform practice and policy; (b) developing professionals who possess knowledge and skills to work alongside individuals, families, and communities; and (c) engaging with campus and community partners to design and deliver culturally responsive services grounded in research and theory. We value systemic and equity-oriented approaches that embrace the richness of human experiences. 

CHDFS currently has 19 full-time faculty members, including tenure-line and non-tenure-track faculty. CHDFS is home to programs in Counselor Education (MS, PhD) and Human Development and Family Science (BS, MS, PhD). Our CACREP-accredited programs are offered in a full-time, face-to-face, cohort-style format. We have growing undergraduate offerings in Counseling and Human Services and Addiction Counseling. To learn more about CHDFS and Counselor Education, please visit https://chdfs.utk.edu. We are housed in the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences (CEHHS) – a dynamic college with exceptional investments in basic, translational, health-oriented, and community-engaged research and extramural funding support.

Responsibilities

• Pursue and maintain an active program of research in professional counseling, leading to pursuit of external funding to advance the research program by the end of the probationary period
• Teach two graduate-level counselor education courses each fall and spring semester
• Actively participate as a core faculty member through advisement, mentorship, and engagement in program-level processes; serve on program, department, or college committees as needed
• Maintain requirements for serving as a core faculty member in the School Counseling specialized practice area as defined in CACREP 2024 Standard 1.AA.

We seek candidates whose scholarship will meaningfully contribute to the CHDFS mission and values and to the UT System Aspirations (https://tennessee.edu/statement-of-aspirations/)

Required Qualifications

• Earned doctoral degree in counselor education (e.g., counseling, counselor education, counselor education and practice, counselor education and supervision), preferably from a CACREP-accredited program, no later than August 31, 2027
• Counseling experience as a school counselor
• Evidence of a developing program of research relevant to professional counseling
• Demonstrated success or potential for successful teaching and supervising master’s-level counseling students or counselors
• Licensure and/or certifications relevant to the school counseling specialized practice area

Desired Qualifications

• Two or more years of experience as a professional school counselor holding an active license
• Depth of professional experience in public, PK-12 educational settings beyond school counseling (e.g., teaching, administration, student services, or other school-based roles)
• Evidence of submitting research to high-impact outlets and seeking internal and external funding to support research
• Advanced research methodological expertise (e.g., quantitative, qualitative, mixed methods)
• Ability to teach school counseling specialty courses along with a range of core courses customized to the needs of professional counseling students in general
• Professional counseling dispositions including ability to work collegially in a collaborative team environment with strong professional counseling identity

Review of applications will begin September 25, 2026, and continue until the position is filled. To apply, submit (1) a cover letter that emphasizes your overall qualifications, highlights your program of research, and describes your teaching and clinical perspectives (not to exceed three single-spaced pages), (2) curriculum vita, and (3) 1-page document listing the names and contact information for three references to https://apply.interfolio.com/190356 . Questions can be addressed to the Search Committee Chair, Dr. Jordan Westcott (jbwestcott@utk.edu). Applications received outside of Interfolio will not be considered.

All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment and admission without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, and parental status, or any other characteristic protected by federal or state law. In accordance with the requirements of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the University of Tennessee affirmatively states that it does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, or disability in its education programs and activities, and this policy extends to employment by the university.

Requests for accommodation of a disability should be directed to the ADA Coordinator at Equal Opportunity and Accessibility, 1840 Melrose Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37996-3560, by email to eoa@utk.edu, or by phone at 865-974-2498. Inquiries and charges of violation of Title VI (race, color, and national origin), Title IX (sex), Section 504 (disability), the ADA (disability), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (age), sexual orientation, or veteran status should be directed to the Office of Investigation and Resolution, 216 Business Incubator Building, E J. Chapman Drive, Knoxville, TN 37996-3560, by email to investigations@utk.edu, or by phone at 865-974-0717.