Upstate New York HERC

The Department of Psychology at St. Lawrence University invites applications for a full-time, teaching focused, Instructor of Practice specializing in mental health. We are a collegial department committed to high-impact, innovative teaching, active scholarship, and meaningful student engagement.

We recognize that the best educators often come directly from the field. If you have a background in applied mental health and a passion for sharing your expertise with undergraduate students in a liberal arts setting, we want to hear from you. We are seeking a colleague who will bring a critical, culturally sensitive, and real-world approach to teaching about psychological disorders and mental health therapies. Salary range $62,500 - $68,000 annually (actual salary will be determined based on education, experience, and other factors permitted by law).

This is a dynamic teaching and mentorship role with a standard load of three courses per semester. The successful candidate will regularly teach Abnormal Psychology and Counseling or Clinical Psychology, or a course related to the practice of psychology each year. The remaining coursework will be flexible, depending on your preferences and expertise. You might teach a training/supervisory course with SLU Thrive peer-mentors, a course on college student well-being, Introductory Psychology, or even design a brand-new course based on your area of expertise. You are also welcome to teach in our residential First Year Program (https://www.stlawu.edu/offices/first-year-program). Additionally, this position offers the opportunity to partner with the SLU Thrives initiative (https://www.stlawu.edu/slu-thrives) to support campus-wide student well-being programming and to mentor psychology majors interested in pursuing mental health careers.

This is a renewable, 9-month position. Your work takes place during the academic year (August through May), leaving your summer months free from teaching obligations. Your salary is spread across all 12 months with a continuation of University benefits. We offer a flexible start date of either August 2026 or January 2027, depending on your availability and subject to budgetary approval. You will join a vibrant department of 10 full-time faculty members and two academic support professionals. Approximately 60-85 students choose to declare a psychology major each year. We also co-sponsor a Neuroscience Major with our Biology Department.

Interested applicants must apply online at https://employment.stlawu.edu/postings/4467, uploading all required materials which are defined in the “special instructions to applicant” section.  We invite applications to be submitted by May 1, 2026. Applications will be reviewed as they are received. Applications submitted after this date will be reviewed as needed. If you have any questions about the role or the search process, please reach out to our search chair, Dr. Elyssa Twedt, at etwedt@stlawu.edu.

All offers of employment are contingent upon the finalist successfully passing a background (including criminal records) check.

St. Lawrence University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. For additional information about St. Lawrence, please visit http://www.stlawu.edu.

Minimum Qualifications

• A master’s in mental health counseling, clinical psychology or a related field, by August 15, 2026.
• A demonstrated background in applied mental health (e.g., providing services, interventions, programming, education, or prevention).
• Prior teaching experience is required, but we define it broadly. We welcome candidates whose teaching experience includes facilitating workshops, conducting trainings, giving guest lectures, or teaching at the high-school or collegiate level.

Preferred Qualifications

• Preference will be given to candidates who have prior experience teaching at the collegiate level.

About St. Lawrence University

Founded in 1856, St. Lawrence University is a private, independent liberal arts institution of about 2,000 students located in Canton, NY. The educational opportunities at St. Lawrence inspire students and prepare them to be critical and creative thinkers, to find a compass for their lives and careers, and to pursue knowledge and understanding for the benefit of themselves, humanity, and the planet. Through its focus on active engagement with ideas in and beyond the classroom, a St. Lawrence education leads students to make connections that transform lives and communities, from the local to the global. St. Lawrence University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. For additional information about St. Lawrence, please visit http://www.stlawu.edu.

Connections working at St. Lawrence University