Assistant Professor, Marriage & Family Therapy

Samuel Merritt University • Sacramento, CA

3d • Hybrid

About The Position

The full-time Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) faculty member contributes to graduate education through teaching, student mentoring, research and scholarship, and service to the program, institution, and profession. The faculty member prepares students for ethical, culturally responsive, relational, and systemic practice and contributes to curriculum development, program assessment, and continuous improvement. Clinical supervision responsibilities may be assigned according to program needs and the faculty member’s qualifications. The position includes a designated research component. Teaching, research, supervision, and service responsibilities are established in the faculty workload assignment. Research time, teaching load, and expected scholarly outcomes are defined in accordance with institutional policies and reviewed with the Program Director or designated academic administrator.

The position is based at the Sacramento Campus and is hybrid/onsite, requiring regular in-office presence to support daily operations, collaboration, and student or team engagement. Work is performed primarily on campus in a dynamic academic environment, with direct interaction across multidisciplinary teams. The position is performed in an office setting and involves sitting and standing at a desk, communicating in person, by video, and by telephone, and frequently operating standard office equipment such as telephones and computers.

Samuel Merritt University describes itself as a supportive, inclusive community committed to advancing healthcare through exceptional education, compassionate care, and community service. The university welcomes applicants from all backgrounds and is committed to an inclusive workplace.

Requirements

• Doctoral degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from a regionally accredited institution, or a doctoral degree in a closely related field with a demonstrated professional identity as a marriage and family therapist.
• AAMFT Approved Supervisor designation or documented participation in training toward the designation as an AAMFT supervisor candidate.
• Experience teaching graduate-level MFT courses.
• Experience conducting research and contributing to scholarly publications, with evidence of research skills and the ability to develop an active research agenda.
• Current licensure as a Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), or eligibility for LMFT licensure in the state where the position is based.
• Clinical experience applying relational and systemic approaches in marriage and family therapy.
• Strong knowledge of MFT theories, clinical interventions, relational and systemic practice, and contemporary issues in the profession.
• Ability to connect research, theory, and practice in graduate teaching and clinical education.
• Ability to design and conduct research, critically evaluate scholarly literature, and communicate findings through clear scholarly writing and presentations.
• Ability to evaluate student learning and professional development fairly and provide constructive, actionable feedback.
• Clear, professional written and verbal communication across classroom, virtual, and collaborative settings.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively and manage teaching, research, and service priorities within the assigned workload.
• Strong organizational, time-management, and problem-solving skills, including accurate documentation and timely follow-through.
• Ability to engage and support students and colleagues from diverse backgrounds and create an inclusive learning environment.
• Sound professional judgment, respect for confidentiality, and commitment to ethical practice consistent with the AAMFT Code of Ethics and institutional policies.
• Commitment to the institution’s mission, vision, and values.

Nice To Haves

• Experience teaching in online or hybrid formats and using a learning management system.
• Familiarity with Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE) standards and outcomes assessment processes.
• Experience providing MFT clinical supervision and evaluating student clinical competencies.
• A record of peer-reviewed publications and professional presentations relevant to MFT or related fields.
• Experience mentoring student research or collaborating on research teams; experience developing grant proposals or securing research support.
• Experience in curriculum development, program assessment, or academic service.

Responsibilities

• Teach assigned graduate-level MFT courses in face-to-face, hybrid, or online formats using effective instructional practices and appropriate technologies.
• Develop and maintain syllabi, course content, assignments, and evaluation methods aligned with program learning outcomes, applicable accreditation standards, and current MFT scholarship and practice.
• Facilitate engaging discussions and experiential learning integrating systemic theory, clinical application, research, ethics, and culturally responsive practice.
• Evaluate student learning and clinical competencies, as applicable, and provide timely, constructive feedback on coursework and professional development.
• Maintain accurate and timely records of grades, attendance where required, and student progress; use the institution’s learning management system and instructional technologies.
• Maintain scheduled office hours and provide academic advising, mentoring, and professional guidance according to assigned responsibilities.
• Participate in student progress reviews and address academic or professional development concerns through established procedures, including remediation when appropriate.
• Collaborate with faculty and administration on curriculum development, course sequencing, outcomes assessment, and improvements in teaching and student learning.
• Provide relational and systemic supervision in assigned practicum, internship, or clinical courses, consistent with professional credentials, applicable requirements, and program policies.
• Support students in developing clinical judgment, ethical decision-making, cultural humility, and competence working with individuals, couples, families, and other relational systems.
• Collaborate with the Program Director, clinical supervisors, and placement sites regarding student learning and clinical progress as assigned; communicate concerns through established procedures.
• Maintain required supervision and evaluation documentation and protect the confidentiality of student and client information.
• Develop and maintain an active research agenda relevant to MFT, relational and systemic practice, clinical training, or related areas.
• Design and conduct research using appropriate methods, including literature review, study development, data collection, analysis, and interpretation.
• Disseminate scholarly work through peer-reviewed publications, professional presentations, and other appropriate scholarly products, with expectations proportionate to the research appointment and faculty rank.
• Collaborate with faculty, students, and community or clinical partners on research projects, as appropriate, and contribute to a supportive research environment.
• Mentor students in research literacy, scholarly writing, and research projects; supervise theses, capstone projects, or other scholarly work when assigned.
• Pursue internal or external research support, including grant proposals and collaborative funding opportunities, as appropriate to the research agenda and available resources.
• Obtain required research approvals and follow institutional policies for research ethics, participant protection, data security, and responsible conduct of research.
• Develop research goals in consultation with academic leadership and document progress and scholarly outcomes through established faculty review processes.
• Participate in faculty meetings, program planning, and assigned program or institutional committees.
• Contribute to accreditation documentation, outcomes assessment, program review, and continuous improvement activities.
• Participate in admissions interviews, recruitment, orientation, and other program activities as assigned.
• Provide service to the MFT profession and community through appropriate professional involvement, outreach, peer review, or related activities.
• Maintain relevant credentials and engage in professional development in teaching, research, supervision, and clinical practice.
• Demonstrate commitment to ethical practice, cultural humility, diversity, equity, and inclusion; adhere to institutional policies and applicable professional standards.
• Perform other duties consistent with the faculty appointment, qualifications, and established workload.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Mental health and wellness resources
• Education reimbursement
• Employee discounts through Marketplace
• Paid vacation, sick leave, and parental leave
• Nine paid holidays, plus a paid holiday break between Christmas and New Year’s Day
• Two floating holidays
• One paid Volunteer Work Day
• Five Education Leave Days

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree