What are the responsibilities and job description for the Chair of Psychology position at COLUMBIA COLLEGE?
| THE OPPORTUNITY
The School of Arts and Sciences at Columbia College invites applications for Chair of Psychology Department that will begin either in January or in August 2027, depending on the successful candidate’s availability. Columbia College seeks candidates who aspire to excellence in teaching, leadership, and research, and who can build collaborative relationships within the college and the profession. The successful candidate must have a PhD or PsyD in Psychology (not in a related discipline) from an accredited institution. A terminal degree in either clinical or non-clinical psychology and a minimum of three years of full-time teaching experience are required.
Job Duties for the Chair of Psychology:
- Provides leadership for all Psychology initiatives
- Oversees and updates curriculum and Student Learning Outcomes
- Submits and prioritizes program budget requests
- Completes annual program assessments and program reviews
- Schedules fall, spring, and summer courses
- Hires, mentors, and supervises adjunct faculty
- Coordinates program activities such as:
- Participating in undergraduate and graduate Admissions Open Houses
- Updating program-related information for the website and other marketing materials
- Providing Admissions and Marketing information about the program
- Assisting Student Success with advising and career service initiatives
- Advising Day and Online students
- Develops specializations, tracks, or concentrations related to the program
The Psychology curriculum includes development and behavioral science courses such as Psychology of Sexual Behavior, Psychology of Personality, and Learning, Cognition, and Memory. This curriculum also includes social and applied fields such as Health Psychology, Forensic Psychology, Psychology and Sociology of Gender, Foundations of Exercise & Sport, and Understanding Diversity and Inclusion.
This position is a nine-month appointment. Faculty rank is dependent upon candidate qualifications. The standard teaching load is twelve credit hours for each of the fall and spring semesters. Each successful candidate must demonstrate the ability to design and deliver courses in a variety of formats, including online and face-to-face modalities, and is expected to teach core courses and specialized courses in Psychology. Faculty are expected to have flexibility in class scheduling to meet the needs of the students. Faculty members are also expected to participate in faculty governance and academic program activities and to engage in service as well as scholarship and professional development.
| ABOUT COLUMBIA COLLEGE
Columbia College is a private liberal arts institution committed to preparing students for lives of purpose, responsibility, and impact. The College pairs academic rigor with personal growth, ethical leadership, and community engagement. Its undergraduate, graduate, and online programs combine a liberal arts foundation with career-focused preparation, supported by small classes and close faculty mentorship.
Leadership at Columbia College is cultivated through action, reflection, and connection. Students are encouraged to engage with their communities, take initiative, and approach challenges with resilience. Across classroom, service, and professional settings, they learn to lead with empathy and integrity.
| THE HISTORY
Founded in 1854 and rooted in the United Methodist Church, Columbia College is one of the oldest institutions of higher learning in South Carolina. Established as Columbia Female College, it opened in 1859 with a mission to provide women a rigorous liberal arts education. The College became fully coeducational in 2020 and welcomed its first coeducational residential class in 2021.
The College has demonstrated resilience and adaptability throughout its history. The campus rebuilt after fires, including the 1964 fire that destroyed Old Main. Its surviving columns remain a College symbol and are incorporated into the institutional logo. Today, Columbia College offers an inclusive, personalized education centered on critical thinking, effective communication, lifelong learning, and personal responsibility.
Qualifications:| QUALIFICATIONS
Each successful candidate must have an earned PhD or PsyD in Psychology by the time of appointment. All required documents must be completed for the application to be reviewed.
| APPLICATIONS INQUIRIES AND NOMINATIONS
To apply, candidates must state the position for which they are applying by submitting the following materials through the online submission portal (all in one pdf file except for the cover letter, which may be uploaded as a separate document):
- A cover letter describing teaching interests and experiences
- A current curriculum vitae
- A formal statement that addresses teaching philosophy and methodology
- A formal statement regarding research and other scholarly endeavors
- Names and contact information for three references
- Copies of graduate transcripts (unofficial copies of transcripts will suffice for the initial stage)
Review of completed applications will begin in October and continue until the position is filled. All required documents must be completed for the application to be reviewed. Copies of official transcripts will be required of the selected finalist.
If interested in applying for this position, submit the above materials through the online submission website at https://www.columbiasc.edu/about/employment.
If you have any additional questions regarding the position, please contact Dr. David McCracken, Dean of Arts & Sciences via email at dmccracken@columbiasc.edu.
| EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AND ACCOMMODATIONS
Columbia College is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. Columbia College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ancestry, national origin, gender, identity sexual orientation, marital status, religion, age, disability, national origin, results of genetic testing, or service in the military.