Antioch University, is expanding its two innovative Southern California Masters of Arts in Clinical Psychology programs, and seeks a proven academic leader to direct the programs centered in Los Angeles and Santa Barbara. These two Psychology programs are the first and third largest programs in the Antioch University system with a combined enrollment of approximately 900 students.

The Associate Dean for Operations in California and Regional Chair will serve as the academic leader of both programs at a time when both are adding faculty, and exploring new opportunities through partnerships and low residency options.

The Associate Dean/Regional Chair is a full-time Core Faculty member reporting to the Academic Dean/Campus Provost.

The Associate Dean/Regional Chair serves as the primary departmental administrator and is responsible for both the Masters of Arts in Psychology (MAP) program in Los Angeles and the Masters of Arts in Clinical Psychology (MACP) at the Santa Barbara campus—including the eleven concentrations associated with the programs.

The Associate Dean/Regional Chair’s responsibilities center on the leadership and administration, academic vision and strategic direction of the two psychology programs and oversight of associated staff, faculty, student and other stakeholders.

The Associate Dean/Regional Chair ensures academic quality, manages personnel and resource allocations, mentors and supervises faculty, and engages community and other constituencies to promote and enhance the program’s visibility and reputation. 

In addition, the Associate Dean/Regional Chair engages in the full range of faculty activities and responsibilities which may include the equivalent of up to three (3) quarter courses (9 credits) during the academic year.

Antioch University is a historic leader in progressive, student-centered higher education since its founding in 1852 in Yellow Springs Ohio, and campuses have been located in Southern California since 1972. 

Departmental Overview/Summary

Antioch University offers two Masters of Arts in Clinical Psychology programs in Southern California, one centered in Los Angeles and the other in Santa Barbara. The two programs have similar core curricula, pedagogy and theoretical underpinnings with social justice as a foundational frame, while practical experience and self-reflection provide context to support the development of a well-rounded practitioner. Both programs require 90 quarter units, to be taken over 8 full-time quarters of study, including three quarters (MAP) to four quarters (MACP) of clinical training experience. The curriculum meets all educational requirements for students to qualify for application as Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFT) with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. Students may also choose to qualify as Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors (LPCC).

The programs differ, however, in the specializations they offer to students. Students in the Los Angeles Masters of Art in Psychology (MAP) program may choose to specialize in: Addiction and Recovery, Psychological Trauma Studies, Spiritual and Depth Psychology, LGBT Affirmative Psychology, Professional Clinical Counseling, Child Studies, Applied Community Psychology, and General Practice Specialization.

Students in the Santa Barbara Masters of Arts in Clinical Psychology (MACP) program may choose specializations in Healthy Aging, Latinx Mental Health, and Somatic Psychotherapy. 

Students may also choose individualized programs in each location, including MPIC in Los Angeles. For students pursuing doctoral studies or non-clinical careers, Los Angeles offers the Master of Arts in Psychology Studies (MACP) and Santa Barbara offers the MA in Psychology.

Responsibilities of the Associate Dean and Regional Chair:

Specific responsibilities include:

Academic Leadership

• Develop and maintain a clear academic vision and strategic direction; establish priorities and objectives to ensure excellent academic quality of both programs.
• Develop innovative and mission-consistent curricula and effectively execute plans to promote and deliver both programs within resource constraints in collaboration with program faculty.
• Recruit, hire, mentor and evaluate program leaders (chair and specialization directors), full-time Core and Teaching Faculty as well as Adjunct faculty members in conversation with Provost and program faculty.
• Lead regular meetings with program faculty. Promote collegial discussion and decision-making within the faculty.

Program Management

• Develop and manage the annual budget for each program in collaboration with program leadership, faculty and staff; secure sufficient resources and personnel to accomplish program goals, support student learning and ensure academic quality.
• Ensure program excellence, student success and faculty achievement through the development and oversight of program budgets, policies and procedures.
• Establish and manage course scheduling, faculty workload assignments and adjunct budget line in consultation with the School Dean/Provost.

Program Promotion and Outreach

• Develop and support recruitment and outreach activities for both programs working in collaboration with AU Admissions, Marketing and Advancement units.
• Plan and engage in outreach and promotional activities; develop community networks and promote advantageous partnerships to advance program visibility and opportunities for student engagement and resource sharing.
• Ensure program-specific state, regional and other accreditation requirements are understood and program fulfilment documented.

Student Support and Success

• Design and engage in regular processes (e.g. Cycle of Inquiry) with faculty to ensure ongoing reflective practice focusing on student learning and opportunities for program development.
• Establish and enforce clear guidelines and procedures to admit qualified students to the programs; ensure student conduct and academic status policies and procedures are developed and understood by faculty and staff to effectively address challenging student situations.
• Establish and create data collection tools, analysis systems and procedures that provide a clear understanding of the student experience and develop actions and processes to proactively address areas of concern.

Other Responsibilities

• Participate actively in direction and management of the campuses through participation in the Council of Chairs.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Dean and/or Provost as appropriate to the Associate Dean/Regional Chair position

Qualifications: The Associate Dean/Regional Chair is required to hold a graduate degree from a regionally accredited institutions of higher learning. The Associate Dean/Regional Chair must also hold a terminal degree from within the discipline associated with the program (e.g. PhD, PsyD, etc.). Other qualifications include:

• A minimum of five years of experience in an academic leadership role at the Program Chair or higher level.
• Experience overseeing programs offered through/with a variety of delivery formats. Leadership experience should include oversight of programs offered in different delivery modalities and working with faculty who are both campus-based and work remotely.
• Publication and experience as a public intellectual and academic leadership commensurate with the complex and multi-layered responsibilities of the Associate Dean/Regional Chair role.
• Significant experience in a faculty role, including a proven record of curriculum development and program evaluation.
• Experience in university and mental health settings especially desirable.
• Knowledge of California BBS Regulations for Marriage and Family Therapists and Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with co-workers in achieving objectives and solve problems within a team environment.
• Demonstrated leadership experience and skills.
• Evidence of successful administrative and leadership experience in an academic institution, including budgetary and scheduling experience
• Demonstrated commitment to collaboration and partnerships with a variety of stakeholders 
• Demonstrated commitment to creating and supporting a diverse work environment for all stakeholders, including faculty, staff and students.
• LMFT, LPCC, LCSW, or Psychologist licensure or license-eligible

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.

To Apply

Qualified applicants must submit a cover-letter, resume/CV and three business reference at the time of application. Required application materials is to be emails to hr.au@antioch.edu with AU MAP/MAPC in the subject line.

Antioch University reserves the right to change the duties of the job description at any time.

Antioch University provides equal opportunity for all qualified applicants and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, ancestry, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, family status, or disability in matters affecting employment or in providing access to programs.