Knoxville, Tennessee
Posted: 19-Aug-25
Location: Knoxville, Tennessee
Internal Number: 170815
The Department of Counseling, Human Development, and Family Science (CHDFS) at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, invites applicants for a 9-month, tenure-track Assistant Professor position in Counselor Education, preferably with a specialization in school counseling. The position has a start date of August 1, 2026.
The CHDFS mission is to promote optimal development and holistic well-being across the lifespan through research and practice that honors the complexities of individuals, families, and communities. We strive to achieve our mission by (a) conducting high-quality scientific research to advance our disciplines and inform practice and policy; (b) developing professionals who possess knowledge and skills to work alongside individuals, families, and communities; and (c) engaging with campus and community partners to design and deliver culturally responsive services grounded in research and theory. We value systemic and equity-oriented approaches that embrace the richness of human experiences.
CHDFS currently has 20 full-time faculty members, including tenure-line and non-tenure-track faculty. CHDFS is home to undergraduate and graduate programs in Counselor Education (MS, PhD) and Human Development and Family Science (BS, MS, PhD). To learn more about CHDFS, please visit https://chdfs.utk.edu. We are housed in the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences (CEHHS) – a dynamic college with exceptional investments in basic, translational, health-oriented, and community-engaged research and extramural funding support.
Responsibilities
- Pursue and maintain an active program of research specific to professional counseling, leading to pursuit of external funding to advance the research program by the end of the probationary period
- Teach two graduate-level counselor education courses each fall and spring semester
- Actively participate as a core faculty member through advisement, mentorship, and engagement in program-level processes; serve on program, department, or college committees as needed
- Maintain requirements for serving as a core faculty member in a CACREP-accredited program
We seek candidates whose scholarship will meaningfully contribute to the CHDFS mission and values and to the UT System Aspirations (https://tennessee.edu/statement-of-aspirations/)
Required Qualifications
- Earned doctoral degree in counselor education (e.g., counseling, counselor education, counselor education and practice, counselor education and supervision), preferably from a CACREP-accredited program no later than August 31, 2026
- Counseling experience as a school counselor, working in K-12 schools, and/or working with youth
- Evidence of a developing program of research relevant to professional counseling
- Demonstrated success or potential for successful teaching and supervising master?s-level counseling students or counselors
- Licensure and/or professional counseling certifications relevant to specialized practice area
Desired Qualifications
- Depth of experience as a professional school counselor with active license
- Evidence of submitting research to high-impact outlets and seeking internal and external funding to support research
- Ability to teach a range of core courses customized to the needs of professional counseling students in general, alongside school counseling specialty courses
- Advanced research methodological expertise (e.g., quantitative, qualitative, mixed methods)
- Professional counseling dispositions including ability to work collegially in a collaborative team environment with strong professional counseling identity
Review of applications will begin October 20, 2025, and continue until the position is filled. To apply, submit (1) a cover letter that emphasizes your overall qualifications, highlights your program of research, and describes your teaching and clinical perspectives (not to exceed three single-spaced pages), (2) curriculum vita, and (3) 1-page document listing the names and contact information for three references. Questions can be addressed to the Search Committee Chair, Dr. Melinda Gibbons, via email at mgibbon2@utk.edu. Applications received outside of Interfolio will not be considered.
All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment and admission without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, and parental status, or any other characteristic protected by federal or state law. In accordance with the requirements of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the University of Tennessee affirmatively states that it does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, or disability in its education programs and activities, and this policy extends to employment by the university.
Requests for accommodation of a disability should be directed to the ADA Coordinator at Equal Opportunity and Accessibility, 1840 Melrose Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37996-3560, by email to eoa@utk.edu, or by phone at 865-974-2498. Inquiries and charges of violation of Title VI (race, color, and national origin), Title IX (sex), Section 504 (disability), the ADA (disability), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (age), sexual orientation, or veteran status should be directed to the Office of Investigation and Resolution, 216 Business Incubator Building, E J. Chapman Drive, Knoxville, TN 37996-3560, by email to investigations@utk.edu, or by phone at 865-974-0717.