Program Director (Founding) and Faculty, Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health CounselingThe opportunity Beloit College invites applications for a founding Program Director for its new Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) program. This is an opportunity to build a program from the ground up; to shape its identity, curriculum, and culture at a liberal arts institution that genuinely values faculty expertise and intellectual vision.The founding director will have significant latitude to develop a program that is both rigorously CACREP-compliant and distinctively Beloit. We are seeking someone who understands that counselor education at its best is not just skills training: it is the formation of professionals who are theoretically grounded, socially aware, and equipped to work with the full complexity of human experience.The program's animating commitments include:Social justice as a foundational orientation, embedded throughout the curriculum and clinical trainingAttention to underserved communities and the urgent mental health workforce needs of south-central Wisconsin and the broader region, including Chicago, Milwaukee, and MadisonInterprofessional and interdisciplinary education, consistent with Beloit's institution-wide pedagogical identityCommunity-based connections and experiential learning as core program features, not afterthoughtsAbout Beloit CollegeBeloit College is a selective liberal arts college in Beloit, Wisconsin. Nationally recognized for intellectual rigor and innovation, Beloit was ranked #18 among the nation's most innovative schools by U.S. News & World Report in 2026. Its graduates are known for their capacity to think across disciplines, engage with complexity, and connect knowledge to real-world impact.The School of Health Sciences, established in 2023, reflects Beloit's commitment to preparing health professionals who are not only clinically excellent but broadly educated and community-minded. Interdisciplinary collaboration, experiential learning, and community-based practice are foundational to everything we do. This new MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program will be the school's first graduate-level offering, a significant milestone and a serious institutional commitment.Role and ResponsibilitiesThe Program Director serves as the core counselor education faculty leader for the CMHC program, as defined under 2024 CACREP Standard 1. FF. This is a 12-month administrative faculty position with teaching responsibilities commensurate with the Director's expertise and program needs. The Program Director reports to the Director of the School of Health Sciences.Program Development and CACREP AccreditationLead all aspects of the CACREP accreditation process, including curriculum development, self-study preparation, and ongoing complianceDevelop and implement program policies, student assessment systems, key performance indicators, and a comprehensive program evaluation plan consistent with 2024 CACREP standardsEstablish and cultivate clinical placement partnerships across the region to ensure sufficient practicum and internship opportunities for studentsPursue state program approval in coordination with institutional leadershipSupport and influence student recruitment and admissions into the program, especially for the first and second cohortsFaculty and Program LeadershipParticipate actively in recruiting, hiring, and onboarding 2–3 additional core and affiliate counselor education faculty membersProvide ongoing leadership, mentorship, and evaluation for program facultyCoordinate advising, student assessment, retention, and gatekeeping processes consistent with ethical and professional standardsDevelop the student handbook, fieldwork handbook, and other program infrastructure from the ground upCommunity and Institutional EngagementWork collaboratively with program faculty and staff to build and sustain relationships with community partners, fieldwork site supervisors, and advisory committee membersCollaborate with faculty across the School of Health Sciences and the broader College to advance interdisciplinary programmingRepresent the program in professional counseling organizations and within the institutionTeach graduate courses in areas of professional expertise as needed by the programRequired QualificationsCandidates must meet CACREP core counselor education faculty requirements per 2024 Standard 1.Y. Specifically, the successful candidate must have one of the following:An earned doctoral degree in counselor education, preferably from a CACREP-accredited program; orA related doctoral degree and full-time faculty employment in a counselor education program for a minimum of one full academic year before July 1, 2013; orFull-time doctoral-level faculty employment in a CORE-accredited master's program prior to July 1, 2017; orGraduation from a rehabilitation doctoral program prior to January 1, 2018In addition, all candidates must demonstrate the following per 2024 CACREP Standards 1.Z and 1.AA:Active membership in professional counseling organizationsRelevant professional counseling credentials (e.g., LPC, LCPC, or equivalent licensure in Wisconsin or eligibility for Wisconsin licensure)Evidence of sustained professional engagement through at least two of the following: professional development in counseling, professional service and advocacy, ongoing counseling practice, or research and scholarly activity in counselingBeyond CACREP requirements, Beloit College requires:Demonstrated experience in counselor education program development, including direct involvement in CACREP accreditation processesFaculty experience in a graduate counseling program, including teaching, advising, and supervisionDemonstrated commitment to social justice, multicultural counseling, and working with marginalized and underserved communitiesStrong interpersonal and administrative skills, including the ability to build relationships with community partners and collaborate across disciplinesCapacity to function effectively in a startup environment: the program does not yet exist, and the Director will be building its infrastructurePreferred QualificationsExperience founding or relaunching an academic programExperience with rural mental health, integrated behavioral health, or health disparitiesBackground in interprofessional education or community-based training modelsExperience recruiting and mentoring diverse graduate student populationsScholarly activity in areas aligned with the program's missionAppointment and CompensationThis is a full-time, 12-month administrative faculty position. Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience, with a range of $85,000–$95,000. The anticipated start date is October 1, 2026.Application MaterialsApplicants should submit the following materials through Beloit College's online application system:Cover letter addressing qualifications and vision for the programCurrent curriculum vitae, including administrative, teaching, and research experience.Leadership statement (2–3 pages) describing experience with program development, accreditation, faculty leadership, and clinical educationTeaching philosophy statementNames and contact information for three professional references (references will not be contacted without candidate permission)Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Beloit College is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to building a diverse and inclusive faculty. We strongly encourage applications from candidates whose backgrounds, identities, and experiences reflect the communities our program aspires to serve.
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