School Counseling Program Director

Position Overview

The Graduate School of Counseling and Social Work invites applications for a School Counseling Program Director to provide visionary, collaborative leadership for our DESE accredited master’s program. This non‑tenure‑track, open‑rank, 12‑month faculty position beginning July 2026 combines strategic program leadership with teaching and mentorship. The Director will advance program innovation, strengthen P–12 partnerships, ensure accreditation excellence, and foster a mission‑driven culture that prepares culturally responsive, data‑informed school counselors.

Aligned with the mission of Merrimack College, the Master of Education in School Counseling represents a dynamic, innovative, and growth‑oriented training program with a commitment to the principles and values of supporting all youth in their psychological, academic, and career growth and development. Our on‑campus and online programs maintain high‑touch engagement and connectedness to meet the needs of graduate students as we prepare them to deliver quality care for youth, using strengths‑oriented and evidence‑based interventions.

Our graduates are trained to meet the growing demand for mental health counseling in schools as well as address academic needs and career and college planning.

• Program Leadership:
  Oversee curriculum design, course scheduling, assessment, and continuous improvement aligned with state licensure requirements (DESE). Lead accreditation reporting and evidence cycles.
• Teaching & Mentorship:
  Teach 8–12 credit hours per semester in areas such as Foundations of School Counseling, Group Counseling, Mental Health Interventions, Counseling Theory, or Research and Leadership; advise students and supervise field experiences.
• Faculty Development:
  Recruit, mentor, and evaluate faculty; cultivate a collaborative, student‑centered teaching community across on‑ground and online modalities.
• Partnership Building:
  Strengthen relationships with P–12 districts for high‑quality field placements; steward advisory boards and community partnerships that enhance candidate pipelines and graduate outcomes.
• Innovation & Quality:
  Champion evidence‑based, fairness‑focused pedagogy; advance trauma‑informed practice, MTSS frameworks, and technology‑enhanced learning to meet evolving workforce needs.
• Collaboration:
  
  Partner with Admissions, Registrar, Field Placement, and Student Success teams to support recruitment, progression, and completion; represent the program at campus and community events.

• Doctorate in Counselor Education and Supervision, Counseling Psychology, or closely related field.
• Minimum 5 years of post‑secondary teaching experience with evidence of teaching effectiveness.
• Demonstrated program leadership experience (e.g., coordination, accreditation, assessment) and success fostering cross‑unit collaboration.
• Demonstrated experience with state licensure frameworks (e.g., DESE).
• Demonstrated commitment to community building, and data‑informed, student‑centered practice.

• P–12 school counseling experience and/or licensure as a school counselor, clinical mental health counselor, or psychologist.
• Experience with online/hybrid program delivery and innovative field placement models.
• Record of scholarly or practice‑based contributions relevant to school counseling.
• Budget stewardship, grant writing, or external funding experience.

We welcome experienced faculty leaders who value teamwork, innovation, and preparing practitioners for measurable impact in P–12 settings. If you are energized by building partnerships and advancing program excellence, we invite your application.

This is an on‑campus position as employees are essential in order to provide a fully on‑campus, residential college experience for our students and the community.

The expected 12‑month base salary range for the Associate Professor of Practice is $120,000–$140,000, and for the Full Professor of Practice is $130,000–$150,000. The actual pay offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as, but not limited to, candidate qualifications and prior experience, scope of responsibilities, internal equity, and market considerations.

Merrimack College is an Equal Opportunity Employer.