What are the responsibilities and job description for the School Counseling Program Director, Open Rank position at Merrimack College?
Position Code: 1185
School Counseling Program Director, Open Rank Faculty Associate/Professor of Practice, Non-tenure Track (12 month)
Position Overview
The Graduate School of Counseling and Social Work invites applications for a School Counseling Program Director to provide visionary, collaborative leadership for our DESE accredited master’s program. This non-tenure-track, open-rank, 12-month faculty position beginning July 2026 combines strategic program leadership with teaching and mentorship. The Director will advance program innovation, strengthen P–12 partnerships, ensure accreditation excellence, and foster a mission-driven culture that prepares culturally responsive, data-informed school counselors.
On Campus And Online School Counseling Program(s)
Aligned with the mission of Merrimack College, the Master of Education in School Counseling represents a dynamic, innovative, and growth-oriented training program with a commitment to the principles and values of supporting all youth in their psychological, academic and career growth and development. Our on-campus and online programs maintain high-touch engagement and connectedness to meet the needs of graduate students as we prepare them to deliver quality care for youth, using strengths-oriented and evidenced-based interventions. Our graduates are trained to meet the growing demand for mental health counseling in schools as well as address academic needs and career and college planning.
Key Responsibilities
We welcome experienced faculty leaders who value teamwork, innovation, and preparing practitioners for measurable impact in P–12 settings. If you are energized by building partnerships and advancing program excellence, we invite your application.
Application Materials Should Include
Review of applications will begin immediately.
Application Deadline: 05/30/2026
This position is subject to the successful completion of a criminal background check.
Work Location
This is an on-campus position as employees are essential in order to provide a fully on-campus, residential college experience for our students and the community.
Compensation
The expected 12-month base salary range for the Associate Professor of Practice is $120,000-$140,000, and for the Full Professor of Practice is $130,000-$150,000. The actual pay offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as, but not limited to, candidate qualifications and prior experience, scope of responsibilities, internal equity, and market considerations.
Statement on Our Mission
Merrimack College is a Catholic Augustinian institution of higher education committed to building an accepting and respectful community. Our mission is to enlighten minds, engage hearts and empower lives and is inspired by our Catholic faith and the Augustinian tradition of seeking truth through inquiry and dialogue.
Merrimack College seeks candidates who understand, respect, and can contribute to Merrimack’s Catholic and Augustinian mission. All candidates should describe in their application how they will foster a culture that supports our mission.
About Merrimack College
The only Catholic, Augustinian institution of higher education in New England, Merrimack College is a private, independent, coeducational institution with more than 4,100 undergraduate, 2,500 graduate students and 50 doctoral students from 48 states and 63 countries. The College features more than 160 career-focused undergraduate, professional and graduate programs, all taught by exceptional faculty who are passionate about their subject and student success. The College has six schools: arts and sciences, engineering and computational sciences, nursing and health sciences, education and social policy, the Girard school of business and the graduate school of counseling and social work. The College’s suburban 220-acre campus is just north of Boston in North Andover, Massachusetts. Merrimack is a Master’s Colleges and Universities/Larger Programs (M1) institution in the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. Merrimack is one of the fastest growing educational institutions in the country and has steadily climbed up in the U.S. News & World Report’s ranking of Best Colleges, ranking 38th in the Regional Universities North category in 2026. Merrimack is a NCAA Division I athletic institution.
Merrimack College is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
School Counseling Program Director, Open Rank Faculty Associate/Professor of Practice, Non-tenure Track (12 month)
Position Overview
The Graduate School of Counseling and Social Work invites applications for a School Counseling Program Director to provide visionary, collaborative leadership for our DESE accredited master’s program. This non-tenure-track, open-rank, 12-month faculty position beginning July 2026 combines strategic program leadership with teaching and mentorship. The Director will advance program innovation, strengthen P–12 partnerships, ensure accreditation excellence, and foster a mission-driven culture that prepares culturally responsive, data-informed school counselors.
On Campus And Online School Counseling Program(s)
Aligned with the mission of Merrimack College, the Master of Education in School Counseling represents a dynamic, innovative, and growth-oriented training program with a commitment to the principles and values of supporting all youth in their psychological, academic and career growth and development. Our on-campus and online programs maintain high-touch engagement and connectedness to meet the needs of graduate students as we prepare them to deliver quality care for youth, using strengths-oriented and evidenced-based interventions. Our graduates are trained to meet the growing demand for mental health counseling in schools as well as address academic needs and career and college planning.
Key Responsibilities
- Program Leadership : Oversee curriculum design, course scheduling, assessment, and continuous improvement aligned with state licensure requirements (DESE). Lead accreditation reporting and evidence cycles.
- Teaching & Mentorship : Teach 8–12 credit hours per semester in areas such as Foundations of School Counseling, Group Counseling, Mental Health Interventions, Counseling Theory, or Research and Leadership; advise students and supervise field experiences.
- Faculty Development : Recruit, mentor, and evaluate faculty; cultivate a collaborative, student-centered teaching community across on-ground and online modalities.
- Partnership Building : Strengthen relationships with P–12 districts for high-quality field placements; steward advisory boards and community partnerships that enhance candidate pipelines and graduate outcomes.
- Innovation & Quality : Champion evidence-based, fairness-focused pedagogy; advance trauma-informed practice, MTSS frameworks, and technology-enhanced learning to meet evolving workforce needs.
- Collaboration : Partner with Admissions, Registrar, Field Placement, and Student Success teams to support recruitment, progression, and completion; represent the program at campus and community events.
- Doctorate in Counselor Education and Supervision, Counseling Psychology, or closely related field.
- Minimum 5 years of post-secondary teaching experience with evidence of teaching effectiveness.
- Demonstrated program leadership experience (e.g., coordination, accreditation, assessment) and success fostering cross-unit collaboration.
- Demonstrated experience with state licensure frameworks (e.g., DESE).
- Demonstrated commitment to community building, and data-informed, student-centered practice.
- P–12 school counseling experience and/or licensure as a school counselor, clinical mental health counselor, or psychologist.
- Experience with online/hybrid program delivery and innovative field placement models.
- Record of scholarly or practice-based contributions relevant to school counseling.
- Budget stewardship, grant writing, or external funding experience.
We welcome experienced faculty leaders who value teamwork, innovation, and preparing practitioners for measurable impact in P–12 settings. If you are energized by building partnerships and advancing program excellence, we invite your application.
Application Materials Should Include
- Cover letter stating motivation and interest in the position, citing experience relevant to both key responsibilities and qualifications.
- Curriculum vitae.
- Statement of experience associated with key responsibilities for the position including teaching philosophy and evaluations
- Statement of experience with, and commitment to, our Catholic Augustinian mission, our values, and our desires to promote belonging, access, and opportunity for all members of our institution of higher education.
- Contact information for three professional references (name, title, address, phone number, email address). Applicants will be notified before references are contacted.
Review of applications will begin immediately.
Application Deadline: 05/30/2026
This position is subject to the successful completion of a criminal background check.
Work Location
This is an on-campus position as employees are essential in order to provide a fully on-campus, residential college experience for our students and the community.
Compensation
The expected 12-month base salary range for the Associate Professor of Practice is $120,000-$140,000, and for the Full Professor of Practice is $130,000-$150,000. The actual pay offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as, but not limited to, candidate qualifications and prior experience, scope of responsibilities, internal equity, and market considerations.
Statement on Our Mission
Merrimack College is a Catholic Augustinian institution of higher education committed to building an accepting and respectful community. Our mission is to enlighten minds, engage hearts and empower lives and is inspired by our Catholic faith and the Augustinian tradition of seeking truth through inquiry and dialogue.
Merrimack College seeks candidates who understand, respect, and can contribute to Merrimack’s Catholic and Augustinian mission. All candidates should describe in their application how they will foster a culture that supports our mission.
About Merrimack College
The only Catholic, Augustinian institution of higher education in New England, Merrimack College is a private, independent, coeducational institution with more than 4,100 undergraduate, 2,500 graduate students and 50 doctoral students from 48 states and 63 countries. The College features more than 160 career-focused undergraduate, professional and graduate programs, all taught by exceptional faculty who are passionate about their subject and student success. The College has six schools: arts and sciences, engineering and computational sciences, nursing and health sciences, education and social policy, the Girard school of business and the graduate school of counseling and social work. The College’s suburban 220-acre campus is just north of Boston in North Andover, Massachusetts. Merrimack is a Master’s Colleges and Universities/Larger Programs (M1) institution in the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. Merrimack is one of the fastest growing educational institutions in the country and has steadily climbed up in the U.S. News & World Report’s ranking of Best Colleges, ranking 38th in the Regional Universities North category in 2026. Merrimack is a NCAA Division I athletic institution.
Merrimack College is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Salary : $130,000 - $150,000