Job Details

Assistant Professor of Psychology

Position Number: 6838861
Location: Malibu, CA
Position Type: Liberal Arts - Psychology

Assistant Professor of Psychology
Pepperdine University: Faculty: Graduate School of Education and Psychology

Location: Pepperdine University - Graduate School of Education and Psychology
Open Date: Dec 18, 2025

Description:
PEPPERDINE UNIVERSITY - THE PSYCHOLOGY DIVISION OF THE GRADUATE SCHOOL OF EDUCATION AND PSYCHOLOGY: announces an opening for a tenure-track faculty position at the rank of Assistant Professor. The faculty position will contribute to the education and training of our masters and doctoral students in Psychology.

The Psychology Division offers five graduate programs: an APA-accredited Psy.D. program, an M.A. in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy, an M.A. in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in working with Latinx communities, an M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis, and an M.A. in Psychology. The faculty position will involve a primary assignment to a Pepperdine graduate campus in Irvine, West Los Angeles, Calabasas, or Malibu, CA. Pepperdine University is an independent Christian university related to the Churches of Christ, committed to the highest standards of academic excellence and Christian values, where students are strengthened for lives of purpose, service, and leadership.

Questions regarding this position should be directed to:

Robert deMayo, Ph.D. (rdemayo@pepperdine.edu)

Associate Dean, Psychology Division

Graduate School of Education and Psychology

Qualifications:
Applicants should possess an earned doctorate in Clinical Psychology, Counseling Psychology, Family Therapy, or a related field from a regionally accredited institution, clinical experience, teaching experience at the university level, commitment to supervising clinical dissertations, and evidence of current scholarship. Applicants with areas of scholarly and professional activity that include child/youth, trauma, culture, couple/family, testing/assessment and other areas of relevance for mental health practitioners are of particular interest for these positions. The applicant should also be licensed or license eligible as a Psychologist, LMFT, or LPCC. Tenure track faculty are expected to teach graduate level courses in Psychology, develop a productive research program, and chair clinical dissertations.

Consistent with professional practice guidelines from APA, AAMFT, and CACREP, we seek applicants who are able to effectively prepare mental health professionals to work competently with culturally and socioeconomically diverse populations. To ensure the future success of all our students who will be serving clients from different cultures and socioeconomic identities, and consistent with its Christian mission and belonging, Pepperdine places a high priority on preparing students to serve the mental health needs of our various communities, locally and beyond. Applicants with experience teaching about all races, genders, ethnic, and racial dimensions of trauma and mental healthcare, and who demonstrate genuine care, humility, and cultural competence, will be most competitive for this position.

Successful candidates will demonstrate an active commitment to the Christian mission and values of the University and the mission of the Graduate School of Education and Psychology. The salary for this appointment will range from $92,520.00 to $98,269.00 and reflects what Pepperdine University reasonably expects to pay for this faculty appointment. Actual salary may vary based on the qualifications and experience of the applicant, as well as market conditions. In addition to salary, Pepperdine offers a robust suite of employee benefits.

Qualified individuals should be able to show respect for workplace differences, and have the ability to work effectively with individuals from different backgrounds.

Offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of a criminal, education, and employment screening. The University conducts such screenings in compliance with applicable laws and with the objectives of evaluating risk and supporting a safe environment for students, faculty, staff, and guests; safeguarding key University assets including people, property, information, and the University's reputation; and providing comprehensive job-related information to University leaders to enable them to make prudent hiring decisions. Qualified individuals with criminal histories will be considered for employment in compliance with applicable laws, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance.

Pepperdine is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of any status or condition protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Pepperdine is committed to providing a work environment free from all forms of harassment and discrimination. Engaging in unlawful discrimination or harassment will result in appropriate disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal from the University.

Pepperdine is religiously affiliated with the Churches of Christ. It is the purpose of Pepperdine to pursue the very highest employment and academic standards within a context that celebrates and extends the spiritual and ethical ideals of the Christian faith. While students, faculty, staff, and members of the Board of Regents represent many religious backgrounds, Pepperdine reserves the right to seek, hire, and promote persons who support the goals and mission of the institution, including the right to prefer co-religionists.

Application Instructions:
To apply, visit https://apply.interfolio.com/179369

Applicants are required to submit the following documents to Interfolio:

A cover letter that indicates teaching interests (courses within our current masters and doctoral curriculum), and general areas of clinical and research focus.
A curriculum vitae that includes the names of three references.
Three current letters of reference. All letters should be specific to the position and completed within one year prior to the date of submission. The name and email address for each individual providing a letter of recommendation are required when submitting an application.
Transcripts of all graduate work (Unofficial copies are acceptable for the application; however, official transcripts may be required for selected applicants.)
Teaching statement. The teaching statement should reflect on the candidate's values, beliefs, and goals regarding the teaching and learning process and any pedagogical practices used or envisioned to achieve these goals. Two to three pages maximum length is requested.
Scholarly agenda. The statement should outline applicants' short- and long-term objectives and goals for their research. Candidates should reflect on currently published or presented work(s) as a foundation for the statement. Two to three pages maximum length is requested.
Reprints of selected publications
Response to Mission. Pepperdine University's mission statement declares that we are a Christian university committed to the highest standards of academic excellence and Christian values, where students are strengthened for lives of purpose, service, and leadership. Religiously affiliated with the Churches of Christ, Pepperdine pursues the very highest employment and academic standards within a context that celebrates and extends the spiritual and ethical ideals of the Christian faith. In pursuit of its mission, Pepperdine reserves the right to recruit and hire persons who richly embrace the goals and Christian mission of the University.
Candidates should thoughtfully reflect on the Christian missions of Pepperdine University and Seaver College and address the following areas in their response.

A consistent pattern of support for generally accepted Christian values and the mission of Pepperdine University.
Active and enthusiastic participation in a community of faith.
Either current practice or vision for integrating faith and learning in the classroom.

Depending on the position, the search committee may request that additional materials accompany the application (e.g., prior teaching evaluations, portfolio of scholarly work, etc.).

Review of applications will begin January 15, 2026, and will continue until the position has been filled.

Pepperdine University is an Equal Opportunity Employer http://www.pepperdine.edu/hr/employment.

Pepperdine is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of any status or condition protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Pepperdine is committed to providing a work environment free from all forms of unlawful discrimination and harassment. Engaging in unlawful discrimination or harassment will result in appropriate disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal from the University.

Pepperdine is religiously affiliated with the Churches of Christ. It is the purpose of Pepperdine to pursue the very highest employment and academic standards within a context that celebrates and extends the spiritual and ethical ideals of the Christian faith. While students, faculty, and staff represent many religious backgrounds, Pepperdine is permitted under applicable law and reserves the right to seek, hire and promote persons who support the goals and mission of the institution, including the right to prefer co-religionists who support Pepperdine's Christian mission.