Assistant/Associate Professor of Psychology (School Psychology) - #001180

Western Carolina University continues to rank high on Forbes 'Best Employers' lists each year. Including:
* 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.

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 school psychology faculty position at the Assistant or Associate Professor level, with a projected start date of August 2025. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.

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.

The successful candidate will show evidence of or potential for success in the teaching and supervision of students in our CAEP accredited/ NASP approved Specialist in School Psychology ( SSP) program. Potential courses to be taught include professional issues, psychoeducational 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 department's 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 ( 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 from a NASP and/or APA-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.

WCU embraces its role as a regionally engaged university and is designated by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching as a community engaged university. Preference will be given to candidates who can demonstrate a commitment to public engagement through their teaching, service, and scholarship

Doctorate in School Psychology (PhD/PsyD) from an accredited institution.

Experience with the practice of school psychology.

To be considered, applicants must apply online. Hard copy materials will not be accepted. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until a candidate has been selected.

Completed applications will include
A) a cover letter,
B) a CV,
C) a research statement,
D) a teaching statement,
E) unofficial transcripts from all graduate programs attended,
F) a list of three professional references (name, title, email address, and contact number) willing to be contacted as a reference, and
G) optional materials (e.g., evidence of teaching effectiveness, a representative publication).

Materials should be submitted online via the secure application site.

Questions about the submission should be directed to Dr. Lori Unruh, search committee chair, at lunruh@wcu.edu

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks.

Western Carolina University uses E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify. Proper documentation of identity and employability are required at the time of employment.

All new employees are required to have listed credentials/degrees verified within 30 days of employment. All new employees who will be teaching are required to provide official transcripts within 30 days of employment. Transcripts should be provided for the highest earned degree and/or the degree which is being used to satisfy credential/qualification requirements.

Western Carolina University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; religion; sex; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; national origin; age; disability; genetic information; political affiliation; National Guard or veteran status, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations, and policies, and the policies of The University of North Carolina. Additionally, the University promotes the realization of equal employment opportunity for minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and veterans through its affirmative action program.
Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations in the application and interview process please call (828) 227-7218 or email at jobs@email.wcu.edu.

The Western Carolina University Annual Safety Report is available online at University Annual Safety Report or in hard-copy by request at the office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, 227 HFR Administration Building, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7147) or the Office of University Police, 111 Camp Annex, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7301). The report, required of all universities participating in Title IV student financial aid programs, discusses crime statistics, procedures for reporting suspicious or criminal activity, security, police authority, crime prevention strategies, university policies on substance abuse and sexual offenses, workplace violence and fire safety.