Adler University

Adler University’s Couple and Family Therapy Department is excited to announce we are seeking applicants with an inclusive, collaborative, and dynamic leadership style to serve as the Chair of the Department of Couple and Family Therapy (CFT). We seek a department chair who is invested in the University’s mission to prepare socially responsible practitioners, engage communities, and advance social justice. The department has a COAMFTE-accredited MA in Couple and Family Therapy (MCFT), a COAMFTE-accredited PhD in Couple and Family Therapy (CFTD), and a Certificate Sex Therapy (CST). The position is full-time, on ground, on campus, 12-month, and would start in preparation for fall 2024. Adler University, a leader in social justice, is conveniently located in the downtown area of the Chicago Loop.

This position is a core faculty full-time 12-month salaried position with contract (and is tenure eligible). The Department Chair reports directly to the Executive Dean of the Chicago campus. Salary and rank are commensurate with experience. 

The MA in Couple and Family Therapy (MCFT) has been accredited by COAMFTE since 2016 and the PhD in Couple and Family Therapy (CFTD) since 2018. We recently renewed both degree programs for five years and are focusing on responding to stipulations this academic year. Our Certificate in Sex Therapy (CST) launched in fall 2021 after being approved as an Organizational Provider II by AASECT (currently renewed through May 2025). The CFT Department’s three foundational values are social justice, self-of-the-therapist, and experiential learning. The programs have a mission and SLOs focused on preparing ethical and socially responsible practitioners.

Professional Qualifications/Selection Criteria

The Department is seeking a creative, collaborative, and passionate leader who is invested in working closely with faculty, staff, and students to provide a high-quality learning environment within which students can succeed. The CFT Department has seen a tremendous amount of growth including accrediting both degree programs, increasing student population by 400%, and adding a certificate program. 

The successful candidate will have:

• A doctoral-level degree from a COAMFTE-accredited program, the designation of AAMFT Approved Supervisor, and eligibility for licensure as an LMFT in Illinois;
• Significant experience in administration/management in post-secondary education;
• A strong record of clinical experience, graduate level teaching, scholarship, and clinical training;
• Academic rank of Associate (three years or more) or Full Professor;
• Knowledge of and experience with the COAMFTE-accreditation process;
• Commitment to social justice, self-of-the-therapist, and experiential learning including the focused competency to work with marginalized and underserved populations;
• Demonstrate commitment to socially responsible practice, social justice issues, and diversity;
• Excellent communication and conflict resolution skills to resolve problems, build consensus and trust, and reconcile competing interests;
• Flexibility in a dynamic, team-based work setting; willing to participate in collaborative problem-solving;
• Ability to interact and speak effectively in interpersonal situations and before groups of people;
• An approach that is positive, optimistic, and strength-based – contributing to a positive work and campus environment;
• General knowledge of Adlerian theory or openness to gaining knowledge of Adlerian theory.

Ideal candidates will also have:

• Experience as a Program Director, Clinical Training Director, or Accreditation Specialist (or equivalent);
• Experience with the accreditation process (Self-Study, Site Visit, and response) and/or as a COAMFTE Site Visitor;
• An AASECT Certification (or interest or eligibility) as a Sex Therapist.

Principal Responsibilities:

• Facilitate the development, review, and implementation of departmental strategic plans that align with the mission and strategic plan of the institution.
• Encourage and facilitate the development of new academic initiatives and support their implementation.
• Facilitate departmental approval for new/revised courses, program revisions and new program curriculum through appropriate faculty committees; and review and approve Master Course Syllabus for all courses.
• Lead the re-accreditation and maintenance of COAMFTE accreditation and AASECT renewal.
• Provide leadership within the department for the institutional program review process (currently under review in 2023-2024).
• Facilitate the implementation and assessment of the programs’ student learning outcomes.
• Oversee the Clinical Training Director supporting them in managing the clinical training components of both degrees and the internship of the PhD.
• Evaluate full-time faculty members teaching within Department.
• Provide continuous support for faculty development.
• Review course evaluations and provide feedback to all faculty in a timely manner.
• Meet with faculty to develop annual load forms and professional goals.
• Schedule courses for the CFT Department; assign full-time faculty to course sections.
• Assign adjunct faculty to fill out the course schedule.
• Provide channels to enhance faculty and student engagement and communication.
• Teach courses within department programs at a reduced load given administrative responsibilities.
• Participate in Faculty Council and other shared governance activities including membership on one faculty committee.
• Represent the department at Academic Affairs Team meetings. Communicate pertinent information back to the department to ensure compliance with internal and external policies and procedures, provide input regarding recruitment and marketing activities with appropriate support staff.
• Collaborate across the school and community; manage continuous and active linkages across all units of the Adler University.
• Create and maintain external community linkages to support departmental goals, collaborate with other department chairs in establishing joint programming initiatives.
• Serve as primary liaison between the department and various faculty and governance bodies.
• Manage departmental budget, monitor and approve expenditures, develop and maintain timeline for appropriate accreditation/certification cycles.

Additional Information about roles and responsibilities:

Participation in faculty and department governance occurs on Tuesdays. CFT MA and PhD courses including practicum seminars are offered between 9-4pm on Mondays, Tuesdays (for adjunct only), Wednesdays, and Thursdays with some exceptions depending on need and projected growth of the department. Elective courses are offered on Fridays and sometimes weekends as scheduled by the instructor. Courses in the Certificate in Sex Therapy program are hybrid with weekly synchronous Zoom class meetings and one weekend (Friday-Sunday) residency. Courses are offered in fall, spring, and summer semesters. Summer semester is divided into two terms with summer 1 concluding before July 4th and only supervision in the MA program (i.e., practicum seminars) and Sex Therapy courses running through July and August in summer 2.

Application Requirements

Screening of applicants will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. The anticipated start date is August 14, 2024.

Please prepare a cover letter, curriculum vita, official transcripts, LMFT license, AAMFT Approved Supervisor designation and certificate, proof of Sex Therapy certification(s) if applicable, and include a description of your leadership, teaching, and supervision philosophies, and two letters of recommendation attesting to your ability to meet the position qualifications and responsibilities. 

Any questions about the position can be directed to the CFT Department Chair, Dr. Kristina Brown, at kbrown@adler.edu.

Equal Opportunity Employer

It is the policy of Adler University that all persons are entitled to Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) protection. The University does not discriminate against any individual for employment because of age, religion, race, color, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, marital status, physical or mental disability, military status (including unfavorable discharge from the military), or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law.