Assistant Professor of Practice - Counseling - #192772

Posting Details

Posting Information

Posting Number FAC960P Quick Link for Internal Postings https://jobs.wcu.edu/postings/35134 Classification Title Assistant Professor - Practice Working Title Assistant Professor of Practice - Counseling - #192772 Department Human Services 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 Biltmore Park campus in Asheville, NC.

Western Carolina University's (WCU) Department of Human Services invites applications for a 9-month, fixed-term faculty position as Assistant Professor of Practice in Counseling in the graduate Counseling program geographically based in Asheville, NC. Anticipated starting work date is January 1, 2027 (or August 1, 2027 depending on candidate availability). Review of applications will begin October 2, 2026 and continue until position is filled.

The Counseling Program is located in the Human Services Department in the College of Education and Allied Professions. The Human Services Department (HS) is a diverse department offering a wide range of undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate degrees in fields intended to meet a variety of human needs.

The successful candidate will teach, supervise, and advise students in a CACREP-accredited, master's degree program in counseling (school counseling and clinical mental health counseling specialties) at the WCU instructional site at Biltmore Park in Asheville, NC. Courses are offered to students in day and evening sections with the expectation of faculty working 2-3 nights per semester.

Duties:

• The teaching load is four courses each semester (80%), with priority being practicum and internship courses. However, in lieu of a fourth course each semester, the faculty member will teach three courses and be tasked with launching and managing the counseling program lab/clinic. They may also teach other core or elective counseling courses as needed, and option to teach in the summer.
• Provide program, department, college, and university service (20%). The candidate may assist with field placement and collaborate with area clinical agencies and schools on professional development, site development, and outreach services. They will assist with student recruitment activities, advise students, review student applications, monitor student progress, and perform other related service duties as requested within the program, department, college, and university.

Western Carolina University and the WCU Counseling program 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

Education:

• Doctorate in Counselor Education and Supervision from a CACREP-accredited program and a master's degree in clinical mental health counseling
• ABD with expected completion of doctorate by August 2027 will be considered

Other:

• Licensed as a clinical mental health counselor/licensed professional counselor, and post-graduate clinical experience
• Experience working in clinic setting (e.g., agencies, college clinic)
• Clinical supervisory experience and training
• Evidence of, or potential for, expertise in master's-level teaching in CACREP core curriculum
• Experience teaching practicum/internship
• Commitment to become licensed as LCMHC in North Carolina, if hired

Preferred Qualifications

• North Carolina Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor
• Supervision licensure or certification
• Experience facilitating counseling lab/clinics, including understanding compliance with FERPA and HIPAA regulations, Titanium, billing, and emergency services
• Experience in grant development and management
• Experience with field placement technology management (e.g., ELC, Titanium)

Position Type Permanent Full-Time Number of Hours Per Week Number of Months Per Year 9

Posting Text

Open Date 08/20/2026 Close Date Open Until Filled Yes Special Instructions to Applicants

Application materials must be submitted online. Review of applications will begin October 2, 2026 and continue until position is filled

Please include cover letter, curriculum vitae, unofficial transcripts from highest degree earned* and a list references.

• 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.

For questions or additional information please contact Melodie Frick, Search Committee Chair, at: mhfrick@wcu.edu

Background/E-Verify

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.

Credential Verification

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.

EOE

Western Carolina University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; ethnicity; religion; sex; pregnancy; 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. Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations in the application and interview process please call (828) 227-7218 or email at jobs@email.wcu.edu.

University Safety

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.

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

• Cover Letter/Letter of Application
• Curriculum Vitae
• Unofficial Transcripts
• List of references

Optional Documents

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).