PSYCHOLOGY & CHILD DEVELOPMENT -

The Psychology and Child Development Department in the College of Liberal Arts at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, California, seeks applications for a full-time, academic-year, tenure-track Assistant or Associate Professor in Clinical/Counseling Psychology to begin September 11, 2025.

The ideal candidate will have a strong commitment to teaching excellence, university-level teaching experience, and evidence of professional activity that keeps them abreast of knowledge and developments within their discipline. Preference will be given to candidates with research specialization in individual, child, adolescent, and family counseling and psychotherapy.

The successful candidate will teach graduate courses in Clinical/Counseling Psychology and join the core faculty of our M.S. in Psychology program, which is designed to meet the educational requirements for Marriage and Family Therapy licensure in the State of California. New courses within the candidate’s area of specialization may also be proposed. The person hired for this position will be expected to be able take on the roles of program director and/or clinical training director in the graduate program by the second year of their appointment, if not earlier, depending upon their readiness. While the MFT program is the primary focus, there may be smaller roles to play in our undergraduate program in clinically relevant courses and supervision as necessary.

Candidates must demonstrate teaching excellence and provide evidence of professional activity that keeps them abreast of knowledge and developments within their discipline. In particular, we are looking for someone with expertise in adult, child, adolescent, and family therapy, community mental health practices and interventions, and expertise of MFT training and supervision. Knowledge and application of culturally informed evidence-based practices and therapeutic interventions from an ecological, strength and asset-based framework is sought. Additional experience with historically underserved and marginalized populations is a plus. CA licensure in good standing and the ability to supervise graduate students at the time of hire is required. Within the graduate program, we focus this search on candidates whose strengths and areas of focus would facilitate them possibly teaching the following graduate level courses:  MFT Professional Identity, Theory, & Practice; Individual Therapy, Theory and Practice; Child and Adolescent Therapy, Theory and Practice; Advanced Family Therapy, Theory and Practice; and Community Mental Health.

Salary

Anticipated Assistant Professor Hiring Range: $90,276 - $98,244/year, $7,523 - $8,187/month 

Anticipated Associate Professor Hiring Range: $102,768 – $113,045/year, $8,564 – 9,420/month

(Note that hiring level will be commensurate with the qualifications and experience of the candidate.)

Although Cal Poly is primarily a teaching university, our faculty are expected to balance teaching with an active program of research/professional development (including publication), student supervision and advising, and participation in service activities at the department and college/university level.  The typical teaching load is three 4-unit courses per quarter, with a reduction in course load in each of the first two years to help new faculty establish an active program of research and professional development. Cal Poly strongly values diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), especially in the classroom and among its areas of study.

The College of Liberal Arts (CLA) sees diversity as central to its mission and is committed to fostering an equitable and inclusive environment within the college and university. We value our diversity of complex and intersecting identities, while striving to maintain an environment that is socially just, equitable, respectful, and inclusive. The successful applicant should be able to clearly demonstrate how they have infused these values and student learning objectives into their work. They should be prepared to present clear examples of how they would infuse these areas into their work as a faculty member. 

At California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, we believe that cultivating an environment that embraces and promotes diversity is fundamental to the success of our students, our employees, and our community. Bringing people together from different backgrounds and experiences fosters the innovative and creative thinking that exemplifies Cal Poly’s values of free inquiry and reflection on impacts of cultural context, mutual respect, civic engagement, and social and environmental responsibility. Cal Poly's commitment to DEI informs our efforts in recruitment, hiring and retention. California Polytechnic State University is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer.  

Due to CSU policies, the person hired must reside in the state of California at the time of hire and for the entirety of the appointment.  

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Ph.D. in clinical or counseling psychology, or related field, by the time of appointment.
• Evidence of potential for scholarly achievement in candidate’s area of specialization. 
• The successful candidate must be a licensed psychologist in the State of California by the time of appointment in order to supervise practicum and traineeship graduate students.   
• Demonstrated ability to teach lower- and upper-division undergraduate courses in clinical/counseling psychology. 

• Demonstrated university teaching experience.
• Demonstrated proficiency in written and oral use of the English language is required. 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Research on child development among marginalized and underserved populations (including, but not limited to, Black, Indigenous, and sexual and/or gender minority populations).  
• A commitment to broadening the scope of child development to include traditionally underrepresented groups, as demonstrated through research, teaching, and/or course content.  
• Demonstrated experience and commitment to student-centered learning and teaching.
• Demonstrated ability to collaboratively work in multidisciplinary settings.
• Demonstrated experience working with diverse populations and fostering a collaborative, supportive, and inclusive environment. 
• Preference will also be given to those with relevant work experience and those who bring professional capabilities.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

All CSU employees are designated "mandated reporters" under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act. As a condition of your employment, you will be required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 and any subsequent amendments.

Following a conditional offer of employment, a background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate may start work with Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may result in the withdrawal of the offer of employment. Note: Cal Poly cannot deny an applicant a position solely or in part due to a criminal conviction history until it has performed an individualized assessment and linked the relevant conviction history with specific job duties in the position being sought. 

Please note: Current employees who are offered positions on campus will be required to undergo a background check for any position where a background check is required by law or that Cal Poly has designated as sensitive. Sensitive positions are those requiring heightened scrutiny of individuals holding the position based on potential for harm to children, concerns for the safety and security of people, animals, or property, or heightened risk of financial loss to Cal Poly or individuals in the university community. 

For health and well-being, Cal Poly is a smoke & tobacco-free campus. The university is committed to promoting a healthy environment for all members of our community. 

In accordance with the California State University (CSU) Out-of-State Employment Policy, the CSU is a state entity whose business operations reside within the State of California and prohibits hiring employees to perform CSU related work outside of California. 

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT

HOW TO APPLY

Interested applicants should complete the required online faculty application at http://jobs.calpoly.edu/ and submit to Job #http://jobs.calpoly.edu/ 540498.  

Please attach to your electronic application the following materials:  

1. Cover letter - In the cover letter, the applicant should also address the feasibility of conducting a research program within the context of a primarily teaching-oriented undergraduate program  
2. Current curriculum vita 
3. Statement of demonstrated commitment to DEI in teaching, scholarship and/or service describing past experience, contributions to DEI efforts, the impact on students, faculty, staff and/or your field and a description of how you will demonstrate a commitment in these areas in teaching, research, and/or service at Cal Poly 
4. Statement of teaching philosophy 
5. Writing sample indicative of area of scholarship   
6. Unofficial transcripts showing highest degree earned 

Please be prepared to provide three professional references with names and email addresses when completing the application. Cal Poly will directly solicit letters from the individuals listed by applicants. Official sealed transcript showing highest degree earned will be required prior to appointment. This position is open until filled.  

Projected Start Date: 09-11-2025 

Review Begin Date: October 31, 2024. Applicants with complete files by the Review Begin Date will be given full consideration. 

For questions about the position please contact Dr. Aaron Estrada via email at aaestrad@calpoly.edu.