Assistant Professor of Psychology

Position: Assistant Professor of Psychology (Counseling Psychology)

Type: Tenure-Track Academic Year: 2026-2027 Available: Fall 2026

Location: Department of Psychology

College of Social Sciences and Education

California State University, Bakersfield

9001 Stockdale Highway

Bakersfield, CA 93311-1099

Contact: Requests for information about the position and application process should be directed to Dr. Heidi McLaughlin

(. News and World Report, 2025), #17 in and #8 in (Washington Monthly, 2025), #9 in (Third Way, 2024), and #4 in (College Future Foundation, 2024).

Commitment to Diversity: The Department of Psychology within the College of Social Sciences and Education at CSUB is committed to academic and inclusive excellence and diversity within the faculty, staff, and student body.

College Information: The College of Social Sciences and Education has an enrollment of more than 5,000 students composed of ten departments: Advanced Educational Studies, Child, Adolescent, and Family Studies, Criminal Justice, Ethnic Studies, Kinesiology, Political Science, Psychology, Social Work, Sociology, and Teacher Education. For additional information about the College’s programs, visit its web page at

Department Information: The Department of Psychology is one of ten departments in the SSE. Serving over 1,000 majors, the department is the largest in the College. The department offers both a Bachelor’s and Master’s program. The department provides students a broad range of perspectives, methodologies, and bodies of knowledge from contemporary psychology facilitating the development of skills, and knowledge necessary for success beyond graduation. Master’s students are trained both in the classroom and within the larger community. Beyond academics, the faculty work collaboratively to provide a welcoming and student-centered atmosphere in and outside of the classroom. As a Hispanic Serving Institution, our department values cultural sensitivity and community connection.

Position Description and Duties: The Department of Psychology at California State University, Bakersfield (CSUB) seeks to fill the position of Assistant Professor in counseling psychology. The person hired for this position will work primarily for the . in Counseling Psychology graduate program () and possibly contribute to the Undergraduate program with a start date of August 17, 2026. In addition, they will assist with our on-campus University Counselor Training Clinic (UCTC). CSUB boasts having one of the few counseling programs in California with an on-site training center that is highly respected within the community as it provides community members with affordable, high quality counseling services. The . in Counseling Psychology is a three-year program designed to prepare students for Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) and Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) licensure (). The program is currently in the process of working toward accreditation. The successful candidates will be able to teach courses in several areas of MFT/LPCC training, including psychotherapeutic interventions with families, groups, and couples; multicultural issues; substance disorders; and human sexuality. They may also potentially teach undergraduate psychology courses. In addition to teaching and academic advising, the faculty member will initiate and maintain an active research program, preferably one that involves students. To become tenured, the faculty candidate will develop a continuous record of achievement in teaching, research/scholarship, and professionally-related service.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Earned . in Counseling Psychology, Counselor Education, Marriage and Family Counseling, or a closely related counseling field. Applicants nearing completion of a doctoral degree may be considered; however, employment is contingent upon submission of evidence of degree completion by August 1, 2026.
• LPCC or LMFT licensed, or license-eligible in the State of California.
• Demonstrated potential for teaching excellence in graduate-level courses.
• Demonstrated potential for a successful research program, especially one that can involve students.
• Demonstrated commitment to teaching undergraduate and graduate students from diverse socioeconomic, cultural, and academic backgrounds, including first-generation students.

Rank and Salary:

• Assistant Professor; salary based on qualifications and experience.
• Anticipated annual salary range $77,000 – $80,000.

Benefits: Faculty employee benefits are very competitive for the higher education sector. See the for details about the CSU’s excellent benefits package.

Application:

• Cover letter describing interest in position, qualifications, and recent experience
• Curriculum vitae
• 1-2 page statement about teaching interests and accomplishments
• 1-2 page statement about scholarly interests, accomplishments, and plans for incorporating students
• Unofficial transcripts of highest degree earned
• Three current professional references with names and contact information. References will not be contacted without prior notification to applicants.
• A statement about fostering an inclusive classroom OR a statement describing your contribution to diversity, equity, and inclusion through your teaching, scholarly activities, and/or service.

Background Check: A background check (including a criminal records check) must be satisfactorily completed. Offers of employment are conditional and may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who is conditionally offered the position.

Authorization to Work: Employment is contingent upon US residence and proof of eligibility to work in the United States. CSUB is currently unable to sponsor new H-1B employment visas which are subject to the $100,000 fee established by the “Presidential Proclamation: Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers” issued on September 19, 2025. Applicants are responsible for determining the applicability of the fee.

Out of State Employment: Per CSU-wide policy, all faculty who will begin initial employment (or return from a 12-month break in service) on or after January 1, 2022 are required to perform their work from within the State of California. Faculty assignments include in-person duties that require an on-campus presence.

Mandated Reporter: The person holding this position is considered a "mandated reporter" under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment. The person will also have a duty to report to the Campus Title IX Officer information pertaining to discrimination, harassment, sexual misconduct or exploitation, dating or domestic violence, stalking, and retaliation under the CSU Interim Nondiscrimination Policy.

Clery Act: CSUB's annual crime report includes statistics for the previous three years concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus, in certain off-campus centers, such as our Antelope Valley Satellite Campus and on property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from CSUB. The report also includes policies concerning security on campus, such as alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, reporting crimes, sexual assault, and other subjects. Additionally, a daily log of offenses is maintained and can be reviewed at the front desk of the Department of Public Safety. You can obtain a copy of the annual report by contacting the Department of Public Safety/University Police at (661) 654-2111 or by logging on to their website at: .

EEO Statement: All university programs and activities are open and available to all regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, CSUB provides equal opportunity in education and employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every student and employee has access to the resources and support they need to thrive and succeed in a university environment and in their communities.

CSUB complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws, and CSU’s Nondiscrimination Policy. We prohibit discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all university programs, policies, and practices

CSUB is a diverse community of individuals who represent many perspectives, beliefs and identities, committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and intellectually vibrant environment. We cultivate a culture of open dialogue, mutual respect, and belonging to support educational excellence and student success. Through academic programs, student organizations and activities, faculty initiatives, and community partnerships, we encourage meaningful engagement with diverse perspectives. As a higher education institution, we are dedicated to advancing knowledge and empowering individuals to reach their full potential by prioritizing inclusive curriculum development, faculty and staff training, student mentorship, and comprehensive support programs. At CSUB, excellence is built on merit, talent, diversity, accessibility, and equal opportunity for all.