Director, Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program

Wilkes University•Wilkes-Barre, PA

About The Position

Wilkes University seeks a Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program Director to provide academic and administrative leadership for the program and support its growth, quality, and accreditation compliance. Reporting to the Dean of the College of Health and Education, the Director oversees program planning, curriculum development and implementation, program policies, student engagement, and academic assessment. The role includes teaching hybrid and online graduate courses, advising graduate counseling students, collaborating with University partners on student-facing policies and services, and participating in admissions, marketing, and other program-development and enrollment efforts. A central responsibility is guiding the program’s ongoing CACREP accreditation work and ensuring compliance with applicable accreditation standards. The Director is also expected to maintain an active scholarship record, participate in University, College, and program committees, contribute to the counseling profession and community, and provide leadership through effective communication and collaboration. Campus presence and University-funded travel may be required for program needs, including residencies and school retreats. Candidates must hold a doctoral degree in Counselor Education and Supervision, preferably from a CACREP-accredited program. Candidates completing a dissertation with an established timeline to graduate by Fall 2027 will also be considered. Applicants must hold active National Certified Counselor (NCC) certification and be eligible for professional counselor licensure in Pennsylvania. The ideal candidate has graduate-level teaching experience, preferably online or hybrid, a comprehensive counseling background and strong professional counselor identity, commitment to CACREP accreditation processes, evidence of scholarship, and service to the University, program, profession, and community. Strong interpersonal, organizational, communication, and leadership skills are essential. Wilkes University is an independent, comprehensive university focused on academic excellence in the liberal arts, sciences, and selected professional programs. It has approximately 2,000 undergraduate students and more than 1,500 full-time-equivalent graduate and first professional students. Located in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, the University emphasizes mentoring relationships and contributing to the economic development of Northeastern Pennsylvania. Applicants are asked to submit a cover letter, resume or curriculum vitae, and three references. Employment is contingent on a thorough background screening. Positions involving regular, unsupervised contact with minors require additional clearances, including FBI fingerprinting and Pennsylvania criminal and child abuse clearances.

Requirements

Doctoral degree in Counselor Education and Supervision; candidates completing a dissertation with an established timeline to graduate by Fall 2027 will be considered.
Active National Certified Counselor (NCC) certification.
Eligibility for professional counselor licensure in Pennsylvania.
Strong interpersonal, organizational, communication, and leadership skills.
Employment is contingent upon the results of a thorough background screening.
Additional FBI fingerprinting and Pennsylvania criminal and child abuse clearances are required for positions involving regular, unsupervised contact with minors.

Nice To Haves

Doctoral degree from a CACREP-accredited program.
Experience teaching at the graduate level, preferably in online or hybrid formats.
Comprehensive counseling background and strong professional counselor identity.
Commitment to CACREP accreditation processes.
Evidence of scholarship.
Service to the University, program, profession, and community.

Responsibilities

Provide academic and administrative leadership for the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program.
Lead program planning, curriculum development and implementation, policy oversight, student engagement, and academic assessment.
Teach hybrid and online graduate courses.
Advise graduate counseling students.
Collaborate with University partners to develop and review student-facing policies and services.
Participate in admissions, marketing, and other efforts supporting program development and enrollment.
Guide ongoing CACREP accreditation work and ensure compliance with applicable accreditation standards.
Maintain an active record of scholarship.
Participate in University, College, and program committees.
Contribute to the counseling profession and community.
Provide leadership through effective communication and collaboration.
Attend campus activities and travel for program needs, including residencies and school retreats, as required.