Assistant Professor of Art Therapy (tenure track)

Lewis & Clark Graduate School of Education and Counseling

At Lewis & Clark Graduate School of Education and Counseling, our mission-driven programs are grounded in social justice, access, and equity. Guided by world-class faculty and leading practitioners, students become agents of change who are ready to transform lives, sustain communities, and create a more just society.

Lewis & Clark College is committed to achieving a diverse workforce. Candidates from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to status as a protected veteran or a qualified individual with a disability, or other protected status, such as race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status or age.

Assistant Professor of Art Therapy (tenure track)

Department of Counseling, Therapy, and School Psychology
Graduate School of Education and Counseling
Lewis & Clark College

The Graduate School of Education and Counseling at Lewis & Clark College invites applications for a 1.0 FTE appointment as Assistant Professor and Program Director (tenure track) in the Counseling, Therapy, and School Psychology Department, beginning Summer 2027.

We seek applicants who have established experience in program administration, clinical practice, teaching, and leadership in Art Therapy. Applicants should have demonstrated effectiveness as an instructor at the graduate level, working knowledge of ACATE accreditation standards, the ability to work collaboratively with program and graduate school faculty, and demonstrated alignment with the Graduate School’s commitment to social justice, equity, and access. Candidates should also be able to demonstrate these qualities in their professional accomplishments and community involvement.

The Art Therapy Program offers both MA and MS degrees, and is deeply committed to community engagement, professional service, and the preparation of ethical, reflective, and socially responsive clinicians. We are looking for a highly relational colleague with shared vision and values–centered on social justice, advocacy, ecology and innovation. We provide diverse internship opportunities, dedicated classroom facilities, digital media lab, art studio, and an Art Therapy Gallery space. One of a kind, as the only art therapy masters program in the state, faculty have advocated for an art therapy license and have passed legislation to implement insurance reimbursement for art therapists serving Medicaid clients in 2026. Our graduates are equipped to transition into clinical practice upon graduation with hands-on understanding of working in the field, gaining over 800 hours of clinical training while in the program.

We are seeking a collaborative and engaged colleague who is passionate about graduate education, mentorship, and scholarly inquiry within the field of art therapy. The successful candidate will contribute in teaching, assisting with accreditation and program assessment documentation, and advising students. We are a CAAHEP accredited, in-person, year-round program. We invite applications from faculty with a wide range of academic, professional, and lived experiences who are eager to contribute to a collegial and inclusive academic community.

The Graduate School of Education and Counseling at Lewis & Clark is a collaborative, exceptional community of educators, advocates, and scholars dedicated to transforming lives and promoting social change. Serving roughly 700 students across two departments, our school offers comprehensive degree, licensure, and certificate programs in the fields of teacher education, educational leadership, and mental health counseling. Our mission is deeply rooted in justice, equity, inclusivity, and access, cultivating an environment of critical inquiry, application-based skills, and active civic engagement. Set in the beautiful landscape of Portland, Oregon, our programs uniquely blend rigorous scholarship with public purpose, connecting directly to the region through extensive, immersive experiential learning and hands-on service across local schools, clinics, and agencies.

Job Responsibilities

• Lead as Art Therapy program Director.
• Teach graduate courses in Art Therapy.
• Mentor, supervise, and advise graduate students.
• Support and guide graduate student research, thesis development, and institutional IRB processes.
• Recruit and hire adjunct faculty.
• Assist in annual curriculum evaluation, ensuring the program meets CAAHEP/ACATE standards; preparing annual reports; working closely with the R&A team and other accreditation activity.
• Collaborate on program development and annual exhibitions, including work in the community studio, gallery, and art therapy facilities in the Graduate School’s Community Counseling Center located off-campus.
• Participate in identifying, establishing, and supporting partnerships with local agencies and organizations.
• Serve on departmental and school-wide committees.
• Participate in fostering an inclusive environment and supporting all students, including those who are diverse with respect to: race/ethnicity; sex; gender; gender identity/gender expression; sexual orientation; social class; nation of origin; first language; and ability/disability.
• Assist with marketing and student recruitment.
• Participate in professional development activities and community service. Advocate for the Art Therapy profession at the state and national level.
• Assist with clinical coordination and site visits.

Required Qualifications

• Earned doctorate in Art Therapy or related field.
• ATR-BC credential.
• Evidence of continuing scholarly work and research agenda.
• Demonstrated excellence in graduate level teaching, including the ability to provide a learning environment built around the values and practices associated with critical thinking, individual growth, and social justice.
• Oregon-licensed eligible as an Art Therapist and significant clinical experience in Art Therapy. Demonstrated grasp of modern, postmodern, and critical approaches in Art Therapy theory and practice.
• Demonstrated ability to foster inclusive practices with students, faculty, and staff across a diverse college community.
• Working knowledge of ACATE educational accreditation standards.

Preferred Qualifications

• Administrative experience: leading and managing day-to-day and long-term decisions, practices, and strategy in an art therapy program.
• Active participation in state, national and local professional organizations.
• Minimum of 5 years post-Masters clinical experience.
• Minimum of 3 years teaching art therapy coursework and course development at the graduate level with expertise in the specific area of art therapy.
• Demonstrated leadership in the field of art therapy.
• Demonstrated experience and/or knowledge working with community partners (i.e. Albina Vision Trust)

Application Procedures

The review of applications will begin December 15, 2026 and will continue until the position is filled. Please submit the following:

• Cover letter that speaks to all aspects of the job description
• Current curriculum vitae
• Contact information for three (3) people who can provide confidential recommendations
• Evidence of successful teaching and student engagement (course evaluations, examples of inclusive pedagogy for diverse student populations, observations, etc.)
• Samples of scholarship (required for tenure-track positions)

Lewis & Clark College will conduct background checks on the finalist(s).

Additional Information

For additional information on this position or the Art Therapy Program at the Lewis & Clark Graduate School of Education and Counseling, contact: Dr. Mary Andrus, Program Director, at mandrus@lclark.edu.

Lewis & Clark College adheres to a nondiscriminatory policy with respect to educational programs, activities, employment, and admission. We do not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, sex, religion, age, marital status, national origin, the presence of any physical or sensory disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other basis prohibited by applicable federal, state, and local laws. The Associate Vice President of Human Resources has been designated to handle inquiries regarding employment- and disability-related non-discrimination policies. Title IX inquiries may be directed to the Title IX coordinator or deputy Title IX coordinators (https://www.lclark.edu/about/title_ix_compliance).

Reasonable Accommodation

Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job or to perform your job. Examples of reasonable accommodation include making a change to the application process or work procedures, providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment.

Background Check

Lewis & Clark College will conduct a background check on the finalist, which will include a criminal record check. If a conviction is discovered, a determination will be made whether the conviction is related to the position for which the individual is applying or would present safety or security risks before an employment decision is made. A criminal conviction does not necessarily automatically bar an applicant from employment.

Eligibility to Work

In order to comply with US Homeland Security Department regulations, all employees must complete an I-9 form in Workday prior to or no later than the first day of work and bring originals (no photocopies) of their supporting documentation to Human Resources no later than the 3rd business day of employment. Failure to have a completed I-9 form on file with the College will result in immediate termination of employment.