Assistant Professor of Counseling and Art Therapy Program Director

Assistant Professor of Counseling and Art Therapy Program Director

Salary

$65,000.00 - $70,000.00 Annually

Location

Springfield, MA

Job Type

Academic Faculty - 9 months

Job Number

00464

Department

Counseling Department

Opening Date

11/11/2026

• Description
• Benefits

Description

The Department of Counseling at Springfield College invites applications for a nine-month, tenure-track Assistant Professor of Counseling to oversee the Art Therapy concentration within the Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) major. We seek a collaborative counselor educator and credentialed art therapist committed to teaching, clinical preparation, and preparing culturally responsive practitioners.

About Springfield College

Founded in 1885, Springfield College is a private, coeducational institution offering undergraduate and graduate programs that reflect its distinctive Humanics philosophy-the education of the whole person in spirit, mind, and body for leadership in service to humanity. The Counseling Department seeks colleagues whose teaching, scholarship, and service advance this mission. For more information, visit springfield.edu.

Actual salaries will vary depending on multiple factors, including but not limited to degrees attained, experience, and other considerations permitted by law. Comprehensive compensation details, including any additional benefits, will be communicated upon finalization of the employment offer.

Responsibilities

The successful candidate will provide leadership for the Art Therapy concentration and teach graduate courses in art therapy and clinical mental health counseling. This position offers opportunities for leadership, creativity, and collaboration in helping to shape our newly designed Art Therapy concentration within the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program in the Department of Counseling, expanding students' pathways to licensure and employment while preserving fine art focus and preparation for professional art therapy credentials.

The position includes teaching and administrative responsibilities equivalent to a 12 credit load per semester, with assigned administrative responsibilities recognized within that load. Courses may be offered face-to-face and online.

Responsibilities include:

• Directing the Art Therapy concentration, including administration, organization, curriculum development, course scheduling, recruitment, and program assessment.

• Consult on the recruitment and hire of qualified faculty to support teaching within the art therapy concentration, and regularly convene an advisory committee for the purpose of maintaining accreditation and guiding curricular development

• Leading our re-accreditation and annual review of CAAHEP/ACATE, including documentation, reporting, continuous quality review and improvement, and coordination with Counseling Department leadership.

• Providing academic oversight and supporting the integration of art therapy preparation with the CMHC curriculum and applicable accreditation and professional credentialing requirements.

• Ensuring that all Art Therapy students have faculty advisors and receive support for academic progress, professional development, and credentialing preparation.

• Teaching courses aligned with the candidate's expertise, potentially including art therapy foundations and theory, assessment, human development and specialized populations, research, advanced seminar, and core counseling courses.

• Coordinating art therapy fieldwork with the department's clinical coordinator, including identifying appropriate placements, supporting site supervisors, and monitoring students' clinical development.

• Providing clinical instruction and supervision consistent with the candidate's qualifications and applicable program requirements.

• Engaging in scholarship, professional service, and collaborative departmental and College initiatives.

• Promoting an inclusive learning environment that supports students' professional identities as counselors and art therapists.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• A doctorate in Counseling or related field

• A master's degree in Art Therapy or a closely related degree that meets professional art therapy credentialing requirements.

• Current Board Certified Registered Art Therapist (ATR-BC) certification through the Art Therapy Credentials Board, or an equivalent national art therapy certification meeting CAAHEP/ACATE requirements through a certification organization accredited by NCCA, ANSI, or under ISO.

• Licensure or ability to obtain licensure as a mental health counselor in Massachusetts within one year of hire.

• At least three years of relevant clinical experience.

• Demonstrated commitment to culturally responsive practice, ethical professional preparation, and student success.

• Strong organizational, communication, and collaborative leadership skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• An earned doctorate in Counselor Education and Supervision, ideally from a CACREP-accredited Counselor Education and Supervision program, is highly preferred.

• Experience teaching graduate courses in art therapy and counseling.

• Experience with CAAHEP/ACATE accreditation, program assessment, curriculum development, or program administration.

• Experience supervising art therapy students and coordinating clinical placements.

• Evidence of scholarship or a developing research agenda relevant to art therapy, counseling, or counselor education.

Application Information

Applicants should submit a letter of interest addressing their qualifications for teaching and Art Therapy program leadership; a curriculum vitae; a statement of teaching philosophy and research interests; and the names and contact information of three to five professional references. Applications will be reviewed starting January 1, 2027 and continue until the position is filled.

At Springfield College we offer competitive and generous benefit options for employees and their families.

• Tuition benefits for employees and dependents
• Tuition exchange program for dependents
• Generous paid time off benefits
• Paid Sick Leave Benefits
• 403(b) retirement plan (TIAA) with a generous college match
• Medical, Dental and Vision plan(s)
• Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA)
• Flexible Spending Accounts (health care expenses and dependent care)
• Life and accident insurance plans
• Long-term disability
• Optional voluntary benefits
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Wellness benefits and programs
• Free use of our state-of-the-art Wellness Center

Part-time employees earn pro-rated holiday, vacation and sick leave.

To learn more about our Benefit Package, visit our Human Resources page.

Employer Springfield College

Address 263 Alden Street

Springfield, Massachusetts, 01109

Phone 413-748-5678

Website http://www.springfield.edu