Assistant Professor of Counseling

George Fox University's Graduate School of Counseling announces a tenure-track faculty position in either of our two degree programs in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, or Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling, set to begin August, 2026. This 9-month faculty contract has the additional potential of serving in an administrative leadership role within the department. The Graduate School of Counseling is grounded in and shaped by our commitment to an integrated understanding of faith and mental health that embraces diversity and promotes justice.

About the Job:

The GSC is seeking applicants with an identified specialty either as a professional counselor or a marriage, couple, and family counselor, and are currently licensed and practicing. Applicants with training and clinical expertise in Play Therapy and/or certification as a Registered Play Therapist and/or Supervisor are highly encouraged to apply. Professors teach all truth as God's truth, integrating all fields of learning around the person and work of Jesus Christ, bringing the divine revelations through sense, reason, and intuition to the confirming test of Scripture. As a Christ- centered community, George Fox University is an institution that values diversity as an essential dimension of God's design for human communities. This position requires a passion for teaching, supervision and the counseling profession within these guiding principles.

Job responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Teaching courses within the curriculum of the Graduate School of Counseling (GSC).
• Developing courses when needed, and assuming course lead responsibilities as assigned.
• Understanding and abiding by CACREP standards as a GSC Team member, Professor, and Advisor.
• Participating in new student applicant reviews, student screenings and professional growth plans, and all aspects of GSC operations through regular GSC team meetings and subcommittee assignments.
• Tracking the academic and professional development of student advisees.
• Developing and sustaining an ongoing program of relevant scholarship.
• Participating in the work of the GSC and the university, including serving on university committees as needed.
• Communicating effectively and courteously with others, including employees, students, and the public, in a spirit of teamwork, respect and customer service.
• By actions, words, and lifestyle, be a Christian role model to students, whether through casual contact or in a formal supervisory role.
• Demonstrated experience working cross culturally with respect, appreciation and humility.
• Other duties as assigned.

We're looking for candidates who have:

• A Ph.D. from a CACREP accredited program at the time of degree completion, or a doctoral degree from a related field and currently serving in a CACREP core faculty position.
• Applicants who are A.B.D. in a CACREP Ph.D. program will be considered, but must have an earned Ph.D. by the time of appointment.
• An independent mental health practitioner (IMHP) license, most notably an LPC and/or LMFT, with the ability to be licensed as an IMHP in the State of Oregon.
• Demonstrated excellence in teaching.
• A scholarship agenda, including a record of relevant scholarship.
• A commitment to the University's Theology of Racial and Ethnic Diversity.
• A desire to work with a diverse community of students and employees who represent various cultures, backgrounds, abilities, ethnicities, political views, and expressions of Christian faith.
• A personal commitment to Jesus Christ and express their Christian testimony in a church. In addition, employees agree to live in agreement with the Community Lifestyle Statement and affirm the theological commitments expressed in the Statement of Faith.

Salary and rank:

• Appointment at the Assistant Professor level is anticipated, though candidates with significant teaching experience at previous institutions may be considered for appointment at the rank of Associate Professor. Salary and benefits are competitive with comparable institutions.

Job information:

• Primary Work Location*: Portland Center Campus
• Working Conditions: Physical requirements are those of a typical office environment.
• Supervisor: Chair, Graduate School of Counseling

Application procedure:

• Kindly apply through the Careers at George Fox University webpage.
• When completing the online application, please upload the following as Word or .pdf documents in the section marked Cover Letter, Curriculum Vitae, and Essay Requirement:
  • Letter of Interest
  • Curriculum Vitae (CV)
  • Philosophy of Teaching Essay
  • Concise Research Agenda Description
  • Integration of Faith and Learning Essay
    • George Fox University is committed to the idea that one of the primary responsibilities of Christian higher education is to help students develop a uniquely Christian worldview. As teachers and mentors, it is important for George Fox University faculty members to integrate Christian faith and principles in all aspects of their lives. As an essential part of the application process, the University will carefully consider your response to the following: In a one-page essay (about 300 words) describe your personal Christian faith, as well as how your faith informs your teaching, scholarship, and service (including service and leadership in your church and/or in Christian ministries).
• Other supporting materials may be requested at a later stage of the review process.

Contact information:

• Have questions or need assistance with our application process? Contact Georgefoxcareers@georgefox.edu

Interested applicants are encouraged to apply at once. Review of applications will begin on a rolling basis and continue until the position is filled. Please note: This position is subject to close at any time, regardless of the date on the posting.

George Fox University has been transforming student's lives for over 125 years. We are a Christ-centered community that prepares students spiritually, academically, and professionally to think with clarity, act with integrity, and serve with passion. Our vision is to be the Christian university of choice known for empowering students to achieve exceptional life outcomes. We put students first, with Christ at the center of our work, embracing change in order to improve. We are looking for enthusiastic candidates to join us in creating transformational experiences for our students.

Being a part of our community means a commitment to faith and to a lifestyle that is consistent with the university's mission as described in the Statement of Faith and Community Lifestyle Statement on our website.

As a Christ-centered community, George Fox University is an institution that values diversity as an essential dimension of God's design for human communities. In seeking to become a more inclusive community, we especially encourage applications from women and candidates from racial and ethnic backgrounds that are underrepresented in our community.

What is most appealing about working at George Fox University?

• Faith-friendly: Our culture is unique for higher education. At George Fox you can pursue academic excellence while integrating scriptures, praying with staff members and students at work, and helping to make an impact on the world in a way that promotes Christian values.
• Unapologetically Christian: As a university, we have an enduring commitment to Christ, his kingdom and the truth of God's Word.
• Live out your calling: You are able to use your God-given talents and abilities while having a profound influence on students as they deepen their relationship with Jesus Christ.
• Equip students for kingdom work: You can be a part of helping students discover their callings, at which they will be able to glorify the kingdom of God just as they have seen you do.

For your personal well-being we offer:

• A strong Christian vision and mission-led organization with opportunities for your growth and contributions.
• Wonderful Christian peers and a vibrant student population.
• A beautiful, peaceful campus environment with areas to walk and coffee shops and restaurants close by.
• Free Fitness Center membership.
• Free parking.
• Rich employee benefit package.
• *Flexible work arrangements available.
  • *For employees approved to work remotely outside of Oregon and Washington, employment will be facilitated through our employer of record partner whose benefits package and eligibility requirements differ from that of George Fox University.

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy

The university is an equal-opportunity employer. Every employee has the right to work in surroundings free from all forms of unlawful discrimination. It is our policy to make decisions about applicants and employees without regard to sex, age, race, color, marital status, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other status to the extent prohibited by applicable local, state, or federal law. This prohibition applies not only to the recruiting and hiring process but to all facets of the employment relationship, including promotion, pay, training, classification, performance reviews, discipline, and termination.

George Fox is owned by the Northwest Yearly Meeting of Friends Church and its mission is distinctly Christian. Employees are required to agree with and abide by the university's faith statement and its statement of community responsibilities. Within the context of this agreement and commitment, employment opportunities are otherwise available to all persons on the basis of their experience and skills.

In the recruiting process, the university may make special effort to solicit applicants from underrepresented groups. This is done as an affirmative step to increase the representation of these populations in the university's workforce to better match their availability in the labor market. Hiring decisions are based on the applicants' qualifications as they relate to the needs of the position.