Core Faculty, Humanistic Clinical Psychology

Job Description:

Saybrook University, a private non-profit graduate institution, is widely recognized for its foundational contributions to humanistic psychology. Established to explore the full range of human experience, the university promotes personal transformation, social justice, and community well-being. Core faculty are central to Saybrook’s mission of educating leaders committed to building a more just, sustainable world.

The Department of Humanistic Clinical Psychology (HCP) offers a PhD program grounded in the scholar-practitioner model. The curriculum emphasizes strengths-based, holistic approaches rooted in the humanistic tradition. Delivered in a hybrid format, the program begins each semester with a week-long in-person residential session, followed by remote, online coursework.

Position Details:

• Start Date: January 1, 2027 (1.0 FTE), or until filled

• Location: Primarily remote, with a minimum required travel to California and less frequent rotational schedule to Washington State and Chicago, Illinois.

Position Summary: 

The Core/Salaried Faculty role is essential for supporting the University's mission of relentlessly pursuing a socially just, sustainable world by educating humanistic leaders who transform their fields and communities.    

Core/Salaried Faculty Members at Saybrook University are dedicated to engaging in each of the following areas: Instruction and Curriculum Development, Student Support, Research and Scholarship and/or Professional Practice, University Learning Experiences (ULE), Masters/Project/Thesis/Essay/Dissertation Committees, and Departmental Support, including serving on university-wide committees, projects, and initiatives.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities: 

I. Instruction & Curriculum Development 

• Demonstrate command of subject matter in courses taught and administer assignments, exams, etc., that assess and continuously evaluate student progress, course effectiveness, and learning outcomes and adjust teaching strategies accordingly  

• Demonstrate subject matter expertise for relevant industry career standards in the respective discipline  

• Deliver high-quality online courses that foster critical thinking and strengthen clinical practice 

• Classroom instruction includes lectures, demonstrations, discussions, or other appropriate modes of education delivery in a higher education via in-person and/or virtual formats 

• Incorporate innovative teaching methods, technologies, learning styles, and program assessments that enhance andragogical learning and create a culture of inclusivity for a diverse student population  

• Prepare course syllabi and plans in accordance with university and department requirements 

• Provide timely and constructive feedback to students to support learning outcomes and encourage engagement 

• Assess and revise course and program learning outcomes as needed 

• As an SME, collaborate with department chair and leadership for the shared approval and retention of the design, development, and implementation of degree curriculum  

• This includes developing new courses, updating current courses, and selecting appropriate textbooks and teaching aids as required 

• Ensure course content and teaching methods are inclusive and reflective of diverse perspectives and backgrounds

• Vetting, discernment, and shared approval of technology utilized to improve course delivery in a largely virtual environment 

• Ensure course content and teaching methods are inclusive and reflective of diverse perspectives and backgrounds  

• Create a safe and inclusive classroom environment 

• Capacity to offer a variety of clinical psychology degree courses

• Residential Learning Experiences: HCP faculty travel to California at the beginning of the fall, spring, and summer semesters for a week-long learning experience. Faculty present course introductions and clinical training workshops.

• Faculty Retreat/Graduation: HCP faculty travel to California to participate in an annual faculty retreat and graduation ceremony.

II. Student Support  

• Faculty Advising: Advise graduate students, maintaining a faculty advisee load according to the department's needs. Faculty advisors assist students with understanding pedagogy and course sequencing and support optimizing individual program plans to ensure student success and alignment with future career goals and interests.  

• Faculty to Student Mentorship: Faculty support students in their professional development via mentorship of academic, curricular, research, and career pursuits 

• Office Hours: Hold office hours to meet students’ needs 

• Student Wellness: As a humanistic institution, Saybrook faculty are committed to ensuring student safety and Diversity Equity Inclusion Belonging (DEIB) across the university  

• Student Resources: Appropriate referral to resources for academic, physical, mental, and emotional wellness as needed 

• Student Research Supervision: Serve as chair or committee member on dissertations employing qualitative, quantitative, and/or mixed-method designs. May also supervise students' master's degree culminating project
   

III. Research, Scholarship & Professional Practice 

• Saybrook University and its faculty are dedicated to excellence and innovation in research, scholarship, and/or professional practice in a variety of ways. Some examples include but are not limited to the following: 

• Scholarly publications  

• Speaking engagements (webinars, workshops, lectures, presentations, conferences, etc.) 

• External board activities  

• Funded projects, grants, and contracts 

• Content Creation (new course/program development, revisions, web development, continuing education, etc.) 

• Use of subject matter expertise (e.g., consultant, journal editor, reviewer for referred journal, peer reviewer of grants, speaker, service to government agencies, professional and industrial associations, educational institutions) 

• Active engagement in clinical practice, supervision, consultation, or mentorship  

• Creation/Development of new computer software, video or multimedia programs; Learning Management enhancements (e.g, interface options) 

• Application of research and scholarship in the field, including new applications/methodologies developed and tested; new or enhanced systems and procedures demonstrated or evaluated for government agencies, professional and industrial associations, or educational institutions 

• Other global impacts and creative accomplishment(s) 

• Pursue continuous professional development to maintain subject matter expertise, such as attending conferences and engaging in scholarly activities. 

IV. Masters/Project/Thesis/Essay/Dissertation Committee Work 

• Serve on masters, project, thesis, essay, and dissertation committees, providing critical input and guidance throughout each process 

• Mentor students by guiding topic exploration, research question development, timeline management, writing expertise, IRB submission, and methodology assistance 

• Dissertation Committee responsibilities as described in the Dissertations Policy and Procedures. Ensure that all dissertation activities comply with university guidelines and ethical standards for research. 

V. Departmental Support 

• Participate in department meetings 

• Involvement in prospective student selection processes  

• Mentor faculty 

• Collaborate with administrators (Deans, Associate Deans, Chairs, Associate Chairs, and Specialization Directors/Coordinators) and leadership around department planning 

• Share in department practices, processes, and initiatives  

Service to the University and Community 

• Faculty engage in university and community service in a variety of ways. Examples include but are not limited to the following: 

• University Related Service  

• University Committees - Contribute to departmental, college, and university committees and sub-committees (e.g., WSCUC) 

• Governance (e.g., Faculty Senate) 

• Accreditation  

• IRB 

• Search Committees 

• Professional Service Outside of the University (e.g., Boards, committees, etc.) 

• Community Service 

• Engage in activities that promote the university's role in the community  

• Participate in professional organizations and activities that contribute to the faculty’s respective field(s)  

Required Qualifications:  

• Earned doctorate in clinical psychology from a regionally or APA-accredited institution
• Licensure as a clinical psychologist

• Strong commitment to the vision and goals of Saybrook University 

• Commitment to excellence in teaching and research  

• A distinguished record of scholarly achievements, including research publications and/or other contributions to the area of the program specialization. 

• Demonstrated ability to collaborate within an academic community and work in interdisciplinary settings  

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to foster positive relationships with students, faculty, staff, and external partners  

• Promotes interdisciplinary working within and beyond the department 

Preferred Qualifications  

• At least three (3) years of teaching experience at the graduate level

• Licensed at the doctoral level for at least five (5) years

• Experience teaching in an APA-accredited clinical training program

• Governance involvement in the APA accreditation process
• Experience with administering, scoring, writing, and/or teaching clinical assessments such as the WAIS, WISC, and MMPI-3

• Demonstrated orientation toward innovation, experimentation, and change 

• Experience in curriculum development and assessment  

• Proficiency in online teaching platforms (e.g., Canvas)

• Experience chairing dissertations

• Background or experience teaching Existential Humanistic Psychology

Applications should include:

• Cover Letter

• Statement of Teaching Pedagogy & History

• Statement of Research History

• Value Statement (Potential candidates will review Saybrook University’s Mission and summarize how their individual values are related to the goals of the University)

• Curriculum Vitae

• Examples of Student Feedback (anonymous evaluation reports and/or letters of recommendation).

Compensation & Benefits

This opportunity is budgeted at $85,000.00 base compensation. Additional compensation factors may impact total compensation. To learn more about our competitive benefits and additional rewards, including generous paid time-off, medical and dental insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, retirement plan with employer contribution, multiple flexible spending accounts, tuition reimbursement, click the link below.

https://www.saybrook.edu/about/careers/

Saybrook University is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

About Us

Saybrook University was founded over 50 years ago by some of the greatest minds of the 20th century and continues to inspire a new generation of innovators. A non-profit regionally accredited university known for its commitment to humanistic studies and rigorous research, Saybrook University’s academic model puts the student at the center of everything we do to provide a unique, transformational, learning experience. Saybrook offers advanced degrees in organizational systems, psychology, mind-body medicine, and counseling, all in flexible learning formats to help students continue to be active contributors to the fields they work in while they advance their education. Saybrook University is proud to be a community of creative, compassionate innovators dedicated to pursing new ways of thinking and doing for our professions, organizations, and communities.

Saybrook acknowledges its legal and ethical duty to afford equal treatment and equal opportunity to all persons, and thus complies with all applicable laws. As required by Title VI, Title IX, Section 504 and all other applicable federal and state laws, Saybrook does not discriminate and prohibits discrimination and harassment against its employees, students, and applicants based on race, color, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, religion, creed, age (over 40), national origin or ancestry, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability or different ability, marital status, parental status, pregnancy, military status, political activities/affiliations, or other impermissible reason in its programs. This policy of non-discrimination applies to all aspects of admission, education, employment, financial aid, student activities, and other school-administered programs.

Saybrook also bars retaliation against any employee, student, or applicant who files a complaint of discrimination.

Saybrook University is an affiliate of nonprofit The Community Solution, which features a network of fellow nonprofit institutions, each backed by a model of education that prepares socially responsible professionals in applied fields such as education, psychology, and law. Other The Community Solution affiliates include Pacific Oaks College, The Colleges of Law, The Chicago School, Pacific Oaks Children’s School, Kansas Health Science University, and University of Western States.