Job Details

Assistant Professor in Mental Health Counseling

Position Number: 6651206
Location: Ellensburg, WA
Position Type: Education - Counselor Education

Central Washington University is recruiting an Assistant Professor of Mental Health Counseling to join our Psychology team in Ellensburg, Washington. This role is an important member of our team as they enhance the vision for the University. The role is a campus-based position, which means you get to see the lives you are impacting. We're offering a salary, depending on experience, from $65,136 - $73,016 annually plus the awesome CWU benefits.

Who we are:

We are a team of individuals committed to Changing Students' Lives. No matter what job, each of us plays a part in supporting and empowering our students to fulfill their dreams.

Working in higher education provides career growth and career choice. Think of a university campus like a mini city, operating across 380 acres. You'll find diverse academics, libraries, athletics and sporting events, full service and quick serve dining, conferences and events from small to large, recreation centers, housing, health services, police and public safety for the campus population of ~10,000 students.

Central Washington University has been named a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program Top Producing Institution for the 2022-2023 academic year.Â In addition, for the seventh time in eight years, CWU is a recipient of the prestigious Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. RentCafe has also named CWU #13 of the Top 20 Best College Towns in the U.S. in 2025.

Come join us on our journey to encourage, inspire, and create spaces where all identities thrive on campus.

Tour our campus in Ellensburg here. www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjdhOegDa9A

What we offer:

Our investment in you begins the day you join our team, a healthy and successful future for you is important to us. We offer medical, dental, life and disability insurance, retirement and optional savings plans, tuition assistance for you and your dependents, discounts across town, an employee assistance program for individualized counseling, and a wellness incentive program. Learn more: Benefits, Perks, and Leave and Total Rewards Calculator.

The Role:

The Department of Psychology seeks an Assistant Professor for a tenure-track position, specifically to support the reestablishment of the Mental Health Counseling master's program, which was on hold from the summer of 2023 until fall of 2025. Candidates should exhibit a commitment to teaching, developing their individual scholarship, involving students in research, advising graduate students, and mentoring undergraduate psychology students. Candidates should be prepared to teach graduate-level counseling and undergraduate-level psychology and/or behavioral health courses, be eligible to supervise counseling practica and/or internship, and provide quality service to the department, university, community, and their profession. The faculty member who accepts this position must be willing to commit to teaching on the Ellensburg campus and have the desire and skills to effectively teach in-person and online or in web enhanced courses via both synchronous and asynchronous formats.

This position is initially funded by a generous donation from Comprehensive Healthcare, a regional behavioral health services organization, after which it will be assumed by the university. The faculty will be a Comprehensive Healthcare Assistant Professor and will use this title in all position-related communications for 4 years beginning in 2026-27.

At CWU, we pride ourselves in upholding our mission and vision to create transformative educational environments that encourage personal growth and success. Faculty will integrate Central Washington University's vision which is CWU "will be a model learning community of access and opportunity". In order to build a community of access and opportunity, Central Washington University nurtures culturally sustaining practices that expand access and success to all students. We are committed to fostering high impact practices, sustainability, and authentic community partnerships that are grounded in meaningful relationships.

Minimum Qualifications

Please address in your cover letter:

Meet one of the following education requirements by September 15, 2026: Have an earned doctoral degree in counselor education, preferably from a CACREP accredited program; OR have a related doctoral degree and have been employed as a full-time faculty member in a counselor education program for a minimum of one full academic year before July 1, 2013; OR have been employed as a full-time doctoral-level faculty member in a CORE-accredited master's program prior to July 1, 2017; OR have graduated from a rehabilitation doctoral program prior to January 1, 2018.

License eligible as a counselor in the state of Washington.

Professional identity as a counselor educator, including participation in professional activities, scholarly activities, and/or service to the profession.

Preferred Qualifications

Please address in your cover letter:

Demonstrated commitment to and/or experience in mentoring students in undergraduate and/or graduate research through teaching and mentoring activities.

Experience as a licensed clinician in the field of counseling.

Experience with teaching graduate and/or undergraduate level psychology courses that can engage and inspire students from a variety of identities and backgrounds.

Record of scholarly productivity.

Familiarity with CACREP requirements and the willingness to support the Program Coordinator in meeting all accreditation reporting requirements.

Training and experience in the provision of distance-based education and clinical services.

Research, teaching, and service that demonstrates an ability to contribute to Central's vision to be a model learning community of access and opportunity.

Competencies

Accountability/Dependability: Accepts responsibility for quality of own work; acknowledges and corrects mistakes. Shows up on time, meets standards, deadlines, and work schedules.

Judgement: Makes timely, informed decisions. Analyzes options and determines appropriate course of action.

Teamwork: Promotes cooperation and mutual support to achieve goals. Encourages participation and mutual support.

Adaptability/Flexibility: Responds positively to changing business needs and responsibilities. Adapts approach and methods to achieve results; recovers quickly from setbacks and finds alternatives.

Commitment to Belonging: Values the uniqueness of every individual and fosters an environment where everyone feels respected and empowered to thrive.

Don't meet every single requirement? At CWU, we're committed to creating a welcoming and genuine workplace. If you're excited about this role but your experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification, we still encourage you to apply. This could be the opportunity you're looking for!

Apply Here

Screening Begins: December 8, 2025 and open until filled