Founding Director, Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) Clinical Psychology Program, Sacred Heart University

We’re Hiring: Founding Director, Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) in Clinical Psychology

Sacred Heart University invites applications for a visionary leader to serve as the Founding Director of a new Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) program in Clinical Psychology.

This is a rare opportunity to build and lead a doctoral program from the ground up at one of the fastest-growing private doctoral institutions in the United States.

About the Role

The Founding Director will provide strategic, academic, and administrative leadership in developing a high-quality PsyD program aligned with APA accreditation standards. The Director will play a central role in shaping curriculum, hiring faculty, establishing clinical training partnerships, and guiding the program through accreditation.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and implementation of the PsyD program

• Guide the program through APA accreditation

• Recruit, mentor, and support faculty and staff

• Develop clinical training networks and community partnerships

• Teach and maintain an active scholarly agenda

• Collaborate across the university to advance interdisciplinary initiatives

Qualifications

• Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (PhD or PsyD) from an APA-accredited program

• Licensed or license-eligible as a psychologist

• Record of leadership in academic or clinical training settings

• Experience with APA accreditation processes strongly preferred

• Demonstrated commitment to inclusive, student-centered education

Why Sacred Heart University?

As one of the nation’s largest Catholic universities and among the fastest-growing private doctoral institutions in the U.S., Sacred Heart University is a national leader in shaping higher education for the 21st century. SHU offers more than 100 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs on its Fairfield, Conn., campus. Sacred Heart also has a campus in Dingle, Ireland, and offers online programs. Nearly 10,000 students attend the University’s nine colleges and schools: College of Arts & Sciences; School of Communication, Media & the Arts; School of Social Work; School of Performing Arts; College of Health Professions; the Isabelle Farrington College of Education & Human Development; the Jack Welch College of Business & Technology; School of Computer Science & Engineering and the Dr. Susan L. Davis, R.N., & Richard J. Henley College of Nursing. Sacred Heart, a Laudato Si’ campus, stands out from other Catholic universities as it was established to be led by the laity. This contemporary Catholic university is rooted in the rich Catholic intellectual tradition and the liberal arts and, at the same time, cultivates students to be forward thinkers who enact change—in their own lives, professions and in their communities. The Princeton Review includes SHU in its Best 391 Colleges: 2026 Edition and Best Business Schools: 2025 Edition. Sacred Heart is home to the award-winning, NPR-affiliate station, WSHU Public Radio; a Division I athletics program and an impressive performing arts program that includes choir, band, dance and theatre.  With a growing portfolio of doctoral programs and a strong emphasis on innovation, SHU offers an ideal environment to launch a transformative PsyD program. www.sacredheart.edu

Apply at: https://jobs.dayforcehcm.com/en-US/shu/CANDIDATEPORTAL/jobs/5923