Assistant Professor, Marriage & Family Therapy

Description:

Job Description Summary:

The full-time Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) faculty member
contributes to

graduate education through teaching, student mentoring, research
and scholarship, and service to the program, institution, and
profession. The faculty member prepares students for ethical,
culturally responsive, relational and systemic practice and
contributes to curriculum development, program assessment, and
continuous improvement. Clinical supervision responsibilities may
be assigned according to program needs and the faculty member’s
qualifications.

The position includes a designated research component. Teaching,
research,

supervision, and service responsibilities are established in the
faculty workload

assignment. Research time, teaching load, and expected scholarly
outcomes are defined in accordance with institutional policies and
reviewed with the Program Director or designated academic
administrator.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Duties and Responsibilities

Major areas of responsibility include, but are not limited to, the
following.

Teaching and Student Development

· Teach assigned graduate-level MFT courses in face-to-face,
hybrid, or online formats using effective instructional practices
and appropriate technologies.

· Develop and maintain syllabi, course content, assignments, and
evaluation methods aligned with program learning outcomes,
applicable accreditation standards, and current MFT scholarship and
practice.

· Facilitate engaging discussions and experiential learning that
integrate systemic theory, clinical application, research, ethics,
and culturally responsive practice.

· Evaluate student learning and clinical competencies, as
applicable, and provide timely, constructive feedback on
assignments, projects, examinations, and professional
development.

· Maintain accurate and timely records of grades, attendance where
required, and student progress; use the institution’s learning
management system and instructional technologies.

· Maintain scheduled office hours and provide academic advising,
mentoring, and professional guidance in accordance with assigned
responsibilities.

· Participate in student progress reviews and address academic or
professional development concerns through established program
procedures, including remediation when appropriate.

· Collaborate with faculty and administration on curriculum
development, course sequencing, outcomes assessment, and
improvements in teaching and student learning.

Clinical Education and Supervision

· Provide relational and systemic supervision in assigned
practicum, internship, or clinical courses, consistent with
professional credentials, applicable requirements, and program
policies.

· Support students in developing clinical judgment, ethical
decision-making, cultural humility, and competence in working with
individuals, couples, families, and other relational systems.

· Collaborate with the Program Director, clinical supervisors, and
placement sites regarding student learning and clinical progress as
assigned; communicate concerns promptly through established
procedures.

· Maintain required supervision and evaluation documentation and
protect the confidentiality of student and client
information.

Research and Scholarship

· Develop and maintain an active research agenda relevant to MFT,
relational and systemic practice, clinical training, or related
areas of inquiry.

· Design and conduct research using appropriate methods, including
literature review, study development, data collection, analysis,
and interpretation.

· Disseminate scholarly work through peer-reviewed publications,
professional presentations, and other appropriate scholarly
products, with expectations proportionate to the research
appointment and faculty rank.

· Collaborate with faculty, students, and community or clinical
partners on research projects, as appropriate, and contribute to a
supportive research environment.

· Mentor students in research literacy, scholarly writing, and
research projects; supervise theses, capstone projects, or other
scholarly work when assigned.

· Pursue internal or external research support, including grant
proposals and collaborative funding opportunities, as appropriate
to the research agenda and available resources.

· Obtain required research approvals and follow institutional
policies for research ethics, participant protection, data
security, and responsible conduct of research.

· Develop research goals in consultation with academic leadership
and document progress and scholarly outcomes through established
faculty review processes.

Service and Program Participation

· Participate in faculty meetings, program planning, and assigned
program or institutional committees.

· Contribute to accreditation documentation, outcomes assessment,
program review, and continuous improvement activities.

· Participate in admissions interviews, recruitment, orientation,
and other program activities as assigned.

· Provide service to the MFT profession and community through
appropriate professional involvement, outreach, peer review, or
related activities.

· Maintain relevant credentials and engage in professional
development in teaching, research, supervision, and clinical
practice.

· Demonstrate commitment to ethical practice, cultural humility,
diversity, equity, and inclusion; adhere to institutional policies
and applicable professional standards.

· Perform other duties consistent with the faculty appointment,
qualifications, and established workload.

Minimum Qualifications

Required Education and Experience

· Doctoral degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from a regionally
accredited institution, or a doctoral degree in a closely related
field with a demonstrated professional identity as a marriage and
family therapist.

· AAMFT Approved Supervisor designation or documented participation
in training toward the designation as an AAMFT supervisor
candidate.

· Experience teaching graduate-level MFT courses.

· Experience conducting research and contributing to scholarly
publications, with evidence of research skills and the ability to
develop an active research agenda.

· Current licensure as a Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), or
eligibility for LMFT licensure in the state where the position is
based.

· Clinical experience applying relational and systemic approaches
in marriage and family therapy.

Preferred Qualifications

· Experience teaching in online or hybrid formats and using a
learning management system.

· Familiarity with Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and
Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE) standards and outcomes
assessment processes.

· Experience providing MFT clinical supervision and evaluating
student clinical competencies.

· A record of peer-reviewed publications and professional
presentations relevant to MFT or related fields.

· Experience mentoring student research or collaborating on
research teams; experience developing grant proposals or securing
research support.

· Experience in curriculum development, program assessment, or
academic service.

Skills and Abilities

· Strong knowledge of MFT theories, clinical interventions,
relational and systemic practice, and contemporary issues in the
profession.

· Ability to connect research, theory, and practice in graduate
teaching and clinical education.

· Ability to design and conduct research, critically evaluate
scholarly literature, and communicate findings through clear
scholarly writing and presentations.

· Ability to evaluate student learning and professional development
fairly and provide constructive, actionable feedback.

· Clear, professional written and verbal communication across
classroom, virtual, and collaborative settings.

· Ability to work independently and collaboratively and manage
teaching, research, and service priorities within the assigned
workload.

· Strong organizational, time-management, and problem-solving
skills, including accurate documentation and timely
follow-through.

· Ability to engage and support students and colleagues from
diverse backgrounds and create an inclusive learning
environment.

· Sound professional judgment, respect for confidentiality, and
commitment to ethical practice consistent with the AAMFT Code of
Ethics and institutional policies.

· Commitment to the institution’s mission, vision, and
values.

Work Environment:

Office Location: Sacramento Campus

· This is a Hybrid/onsite position based in Sacramento, requiring
regular in-office presence to support daily operations,
collaboration, and student or team engagement.

· Work is performed primarily on campus in a dynamic academic
environment, with direct interaction across multidisciplinary
teams.

Mental/Physical Requirements:

This position will be performed in an office setting. The position
will require the incumbent to sit and stand at a desk, communicate
in person, video and by telephone, frequently operate standard
office equipment, such as telephones and computers.

Employee Status:Regular

Exemption Status:United States of America (Exempt)

Time Type:Full time

Job Shift: Pay Range:

$96,000 to $107,000 [annually/exempt], depending on experience,
qualifications, geographic location, and other relevant
factors.

Organization:

At Samuel Merritt University (SMU), we are dedicated to fostering a
supportive, inclusive community committed to advancing healthcare
through exceptional education, compassionate care, and community
service. Known for our leading-edge programs in health sciences,
SMU equips students and faculty with the knowledge and skills to
make impactful contributions to health and wellness.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. SMU welcomes
applicants from all backgrounds and is committed to creating an
inclusive workplace where anyone can thrive and reach their full
potential.

Samuel Merritt University currently provides base salary ranges for
all positions-on job advertisements-in the United States based on
local requirements. Individual compensation will ultimately be
determined based on a variety of relevant factors including but-not
limited to qualifications, geographic location, and other relevant
skills.

Benefits

Samuel Merritt University offers a comprehensive benefits package
that includes:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Mental health and wellness resources
• Education reimbursement
• Employee discounts through Marketplace
• Paid vacation, sick leave, and parental leave
• Nine paid holidays, plus a paid holiday break between Christmas

and New Year’s Day

• Two floating holidays
• One paid Volunteer Work Day
• Five Education Leave Days

Important Notice: Beware of Fraudulent Job Offers

Samuel Merritt University has been made aware of individuals posing
as SMU recruiters, particularly for remote positions. To help
protect yourself, please keep the following in mind:

• All legitimate job openings are posted on the SMU Careers page

and trusted job boards.

• We will never ask you to provide payment for equipment or

submit sensitive personal information before completing the formal
hiring process.

• Official offers of employment are issued through Workday, not

by text message or informal email.

Please remain cautious and protect your personal information
throughout your job search.

Notice to Recruitment Agencies

Samuel Merritt University does not accept unsolicited resumes from
recruitment agencies. Please do not forward resumes to our job
application email address, SMU employees, or any other university
location. Samuel Merritt University is not responsible for fees
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