Employment Opportunities at USD

Position Title & Department:

5736

The Department of Counseling and Marital and Family Therapy includes masters programs in Marital and Family Therapy (COAMFTE accredited), Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CACREP accredited), and School Counseling (CACREP accredited). The MFT program size is approximately 75 students. Students in the program pursue their degree full-time (two years) and many receive financial assistance. The program has developed strong collaborative relationships with local agencies to provide an array of practicum sites in the community. In addition, students are required to participate in at least one global education experience prior to graduation.

The University of San Diego, an engaged and contemporary Catholic institution, was founded by the Diocese of San Diego and the Society of the Sacred Heart in 1949. Governed by an independent board of trustees since 1972, USD remains committed to a liberal arts education grounded in the Catholic intellectual tradition and the pursuit of truth, goodness and beauty. Inspired by this centuries old tradition of Catholic higher education, the University welcomes people of all faith traditions and any, or no, religious background. The future success of USD relies on the contributions of those who seek to foster the development of engaged global citizens and an earnest confrontation of humanity’s urgent challenges.

Initially founded in 1962 as an education department within the College for Women, the School of Leadership and Education Sciences (SOLES) was officially established in 2005. As the second oldest academic institution at the University of San Diego (USD), the school has been shaped by a profound dedication to educational equity, which drives the mission and foundational values of SOLES and guides the school’s compassionate and strategic vision to help shape the future by educating and empowering professionals to enact academic justice, enhance human dignity and improve the quality of life across our  communities locally and globally. SOLES develops future leaders, educators, and mental health practitioners to be catalysts for change by offering unparalleled experiences and thought-provoking curricula.

The school serves graduate students across three departments and offers three doctoral programs, nine master’s degrees, teacher credential programs, five undergraduate offerings, as well as seven certificates for graduate credit. SOLES is also home to eight centers and institutes that foster an ongoing commitment to assess regional needs and devise unique solutions; the initiatives the school has established and launched offer accessibility and opportunity while also confronting the challenges faced by underserved communities in the region. SOLES also maintains municipal and global partnerships, understanding that local action combined with global collaboration has the potential to inspire significant progress and change. Knowing that students gain the unique insight and perspectives necessary to thrive as global citizens by studying abroad, the school ensures all students fulfill an international requirement, providing a meaningful learning experience that complements the university’s liberal arts education.

The School of Leadership and Education Sciences (SOLES) at the University of San Diego is recognized for its excellence and transformative contributions to education and leadership. A few key highlights that reflect SOLES’ unwavering commitment to community engagement, leadership, regional, transnational, and international impact.include:

• The only active Holmes Scholars Program in California supporting doctoral students in education.
• Eight centers and institutes including the Catholic Institute for Mental Health Ministry, Center for Restorative Justice, Character Education Resource Center, The Global Center, the Jacobs Institute, the Manchester Family Child Development Center, the Nonprofit Institute, and the newly launched Center for Embodied Equity and Neurodiversity.
• Bold InGenius Initiative advancingopportunity for marginalized communities through innovative leadership and collaboration.
• Johnson’s Fellows for Anti-Ablist Teaching supporting teachers in the San Diego region who wish to deepen their understanding of best teaching practices for supporting students with disabilities.

SOLES develops and prepares the next generation of skilled practitioners to use their passion and knowledge to ignite meaningful change and embrace innovation. As a binational university situated on the border of San Diego and Mexico, we embrace our commitment to work directly with the demographics of the community we serve, including veteran and active military personnel, individuals across the socio-economic spectrum, and students from a wide array of ethnic and linguistic communities. The school’s faculty are recognized and respected experts in their field, committed to pedagogical quality and impactful  scholarship. Student success is thanks to not just faculty but also the administrators and staff, who are equally devoted to ensuring the SOLES community receives the resources and support services needed to succeed.     

In addition to WSCUC institutional accreditation, many of the school’s programs hold prestigious programmatic accreditations. The MA in Marital and Family Therapy has maintained accreditation with the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE) since 1992. The MA in Counseling, School Counseling, and Clinical Mental Health Counseling specializations have maintained accreditation with the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) since 2007 and 2013, respectively. The School Counseling program has also been approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC) as a pathway for students to earn a California Pupil Personnel Services School Counseling credential. Likewise, the MEd in Curriculum and Instruction with Credentials is an approved educator preparation program by the CCTC. The MEd provides pathways for candidates to earn preliminary credentials in multiple subjects, single subjects, education specialist, and/or multiple subjects with bilingual authorization. 

The Department of Counseling and Marital and Family Therapy at the University of San Diego invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track position with a 9-month academic appointment beginning in Fall 2027 in the Marital and Family Therapy (MFT) program. Applicants will be considered for the faculty title of Assistant Professor.

Duties and Responsibilities:

The successful applicant will be expected to teach courses in the MFT Program, as well as supervise students through the practicum course. Faculty members are also expected to demonstrate scholarly productivity, as reflected in publications, professional presentations, and research grants. Additional responsibilities include but are not limited to student advising/mentoring, admissions, curriculum assessment and development, and general departmental, university, and national service. The successful applicant will 1) contribute to the department’s mission of providing outstanding teaching, research, and service; 2) collaborate productively with students and faculty at USD; and 3) have strong oral and written communication skills.

Required Qualifications:

The faculty is seeking individuals who have demonstrated strong teaching skills and the ability to develop a coherent research agenda. Candidates for this position must meet the following minimum criteria:

• an earned doctorate in Marital and Family Therapy from a COAMFTE accredited program. ABD candidates will be considered, but must complete degree requirements by date of appointment
• demonstrated evidence of scholarly productivity (i.e., publications, presentations, and/or grant funding)
• evidence of strong, or potential for, graduate-level teaching
• evidence of strong, or potential for, relational/systemic clinical supervision
• AAMFT Approved Supervisor. Approved Supervisor Candidates will also be considered.
• California LMFT license eligible

Preferred Qualification:

• Experience and interest in systemic family therapy with children and adolescents

Background check:  Successful completion of a pre-employment background check.

Degree Verification Requirement: Persons offered employment in this position will be required to provide official education transcripts for degree verification purposes.

$8,313 - $10,159 Monthl; Excellent Benefits

The University of San Diego offers a very competitive benefits package including; medical, dental, vision, a retirement contribution given to you by the University, and access to on-campus Fitness Centers.  Please visit the benefits section of our website to view all of the perks and benefits that USD has to offer.  USD: Human Resources: Benefits

The salary range provided in this posting reflects what we reasonably expect to pay for this position.  Actual compensation offered or earned is dependent on experience, education and other factors including departmental budget.

This is a full-time, tenure-track nine-month faculty position with a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package. The School of Leadership and Education Sciences at the University of San Diego is committed to serving our region’s dynamic demographics. We welcome candidates who share this commitment through their teaching, scholarship, and community engaged work.

The University of San Diego is a smoking and tobacco-free campus. For more information, visit www.sandiego.edu/smokefree.