Founding Director, Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) in Clinical Psychology Program

Founding Director, Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) in Clinical Psychology Program Institute for Applied Behavioral and Organizational Sciences

Position Summary

Sacred Heart University invites applications for the Founding Director of its newly approved Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) in Clinical Psychology Program (PsyD) program at the rank of Associate Professor or higher. This is a 12 month tenure-track position; an expedited tenure review is a consideration based on experience and a robust research history. This is a rare opportunity for a visionary, entrepreneurial, and academically accomplished leader to design, build and implement a premier doctoral program grounded in best practices, evidence-based training and the practitioner-scholar model.

Reporting to the Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences and housed within the Institute for Applied Behavioral and Organizational Sciences, the Founding Director will lead all aspects of program development, implementation and accreditation. The Director will:

• Design and implement a rigorous, evidence-based curriculum consistent with APA accreditation standards
• Lead the program through initial APA accreditation and ensure ongoing compliance
• Recruit, hire, mentor and evaluate faculty
• Develop clinical training partnerships and community relationships
• Oversee student recruitment, admissions and retention
• Establish policies, procedures and assessment systems consistent with best practices
• Build the program’s identity, visibility and reputation regionally and nationally
• Foster a collaborative and mission-driven culture aligned with Sacred Heart University’s Catholic identity and core values
• Articulate and advance the mission and vision of the PsyD program internally and externally

Qualifications:

• Earned doctoral degree (PsyD or PhD) in Clinical Psychology from an APA-accredited program
• Eligibility for or possession of Connecticut licensure as a psychologist (must acquire Connecticut licensure before beginning position)
• Demonstrated administrative experience at the program director level or comparable leadership role
• Established record of experience in clinical psychology practice
• Significant experience with APA accreditation processes, compliance, reporting and program evaluation
• Extensive teaching experience at the doctoral level
• Established record of research and scholarship in clinical psychology
• Experience developing curriculum and academic programming
• Demonstrated ability to recruit, hire, lead, mentor and evaluate faculty
• Proven strategic planning and operational leadership skills
• Experience developing clinical training sites and community partnerships
• Strong interpersonal, communication and collaborative leadership skills

Program Vision:

The Sacred Heart PsyD program will prepare practitioner-scholars who integrate clinical excellence, ethical discernment and cultural humility. Rooted in the Catholic intellectual tradition, the program will emphasize:

• Evidence-based clinical practice
• Service to underserved and marginalized communities
• Ethical leadership and social justice
• Interdisciplinary collaboration
• Formation of reflective practitioners committed to lifelong learning

Application Instructions:

Qualified candidates are invited to submit 1) letter of interest 2) curriculum vitae, 3) statement of teaching philosophy, 4) a research statement 5) contact information for three references (letters will be required from final candidates); and 6) graduate transcripts. Copies of transcripts are acceptable during the initial stage; however official transcripts will be required upon a formal offer of employment. 

Review of applications will begin by September 15, 2026, and the posting will close when the position has been filled.