Program Director and Faculty Graduate Counseling Programs

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Program Director of the Counseling Program in Illinois is responsible for the administrative and academic functioning of the program, and supervision and development of program faculty. As the lead administrator for the CACREP-accredited program, the Program Director will serve as the program representative to a range of internal and external stakeholders, and will work in close collaboration with the Florida Counseling Program Director to achieve curriculum alignment, operational efficiency, and academic excellence.

As a part of our dynamic team of Faculty practitioners, the responsibilities for this position include teaching, scholarship, and service. Teaching expectations will cover a variety of courses within our CACREP Core content areas including courses in counseling theory and techniques, assessment and diagnosis, and internship/practicum/supervision, with some specialized courses in School Counseling or Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Faculty also engage in student advising and mentorship, program-level development and assessment crucial for maintaining CACREP accreditation, and college/university committee work.

The successful candidates will exemplify skill in working competently with students and faculty representing a broad range of cultures and identities.

• Provide curricular oversight to ensure program compliance with CACREP standards and other regulatory requirements.
• Collaborate with the Dean to prepare program budget and manage the program expenditures.
• Monitor student progress; enrollment, retention, and graduation rates; and successful licensure and employment rates.
• Lead faculty hiring, development, and evaluation.
• Manage faculty teaching loads, advising, and service activities to ensure equity, efficiency, and transparency.
• Work effectively with external stakeholders to strengthen the program and align student education and training with employment needs.
• Other duties as assigned by the Dean of the College.

In compliance with CACREP Standards (2024), the Program Director must also be willing to commit to:

• Sustaining memberships in professional counseling organizations;
• Maintaining certifications and/or licenses related to their counseling specialty area(s); and
• Demonstrating continued evidence of sustained professional development, ongoing counseling practice, and/or research and scholarly activity in counseling commensurate with their faculty role (Section 1.Z).

• Must meet CACREP Core Faculty standards through an earned research or practitioner doctorate (PhD or EdD) in Counselor Education and Supervision or closely related field (preferably from a CACREP-accredited program);
• Current licensure or license eligibility as a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) and/or Professional Educator License (PEL) with School Counselor endorsement in Illinois. Candidates who hold both credentials are especially encouraged to apply;
• Minimum of five years of experience in clinical mental health counseling and/or school counseling;
• Evidence of effective supervision competencies; appropriate professional memberships; evidence of professionalism in working with a diverse range of populations; commitment to experientially-based education; evidence of knowledge and experience teaching online courses and using technology in teaching.

• Ability to teach in two or more of the eight (8) CACREP areas;
• Experience in CACREP re-accreditation process and/or CACREP accredited program administration