Faculty and Leadership: Open Positions
The Simmons School of Education and Human Development invites applications for tenure-line and non-tenure-line faculty positions in its departments of Applied Physiology and Sport Management, Education Policy and Leadership, Human-Centered Interdisciplinary Studies, Teaching and Learning, and Counseling. Faculty position announcements appear below, and overviews of the Simmons School, the University, and the City of Dallas follow the announcements.
Department of Education Policy and Leadership
All positions CLOSED.
The Department of Education Policy & Leadership is a dynamic and collegial environment where research, policy, and practice are valued in the preparation of future education leaders; it cultivates and supports leaders and researchers dedicated to improving educational outcomes and the culture of learning in schools, colleges, and educational systems through leadership development, scholarship, and service. The faculty has extensive experience in both practice and research and values a diversity of expertise and experiences. The department offers five programs: an Ed.D. in Pk-12 Educational Leadership, Ed.D. in Higher Education, M.Ed. Accelerated PK-12 Leadership, M.Ed. Higher Education, and a Principal Certification program.
Southern Methodist University (SMU) is an inclusive and intellectually vibrant community of teachers and scholars that values diverse research and creative agendas. The University is nonsectarian in its teaching and committed to academic freedom and open inquiry. SMU offers excellent benefits including full same-sex domestic partner benefits. The University is situated in the heart of Dallas, a culturally rich arts and global business center, is home to many universities, arts organizations and Fortune 500 companies.
SMU will not discriminate in any program or activity on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression. The Executive Director for Access and Equity/Title IX Coordinator is designated to handle inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies and may be reached at the Perkins Administration Building, Room 204, 6425 Boaz Lane, Dallas, TX 75205, 214-768-3601, accessequity@smu.edu.
Department of Applied Physiology and Sport Management
Positions (3): Open Rank Clinical Professors of Sport Management
Position Numbers: #52406, #53285, and #53088
Description
The Simmons School of Education & Human Development at Southern Methodist University (SMU) invites applications for three Open Rank Clinical Professor of Sport Management positions. These non-tenure track, nine-month, renewable contract appointments support continued enrollment growth and expansion across the undergraduate and graduate sport management programs. These hires reflect sustained program growth, strong student demand, and institutional investment in sport management at SMU.
SMU’s Sport Management program is one of the fastest-growing programs on campus, currently serving approximately 280 undergraduate students, 30 master’s students, and a new doctoral specialization, supported by six full-time faculty members. The Master of Science in Sport Management program has received international recognition, ranked among the Top 30 programs globally and #4 among private universities in the United States by SportBusiness, a London-based industry intelligence service.
Located in Dallas—the leading sport business market in the United States—SMU offers unparalleled access to major professional franchises and sport organizations. In addition, SMU Athletics competes at the highest levels of NCAA Division I and is entering a new era of national visibility and growth through its membership in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
The program emphasizes applied learning, leadership development, and strong connections to both collegiate and professional sport organizations. Students benefit from extensive internship, networking, and experiential learning opportunities across one of the most dynamic sport ecosystems in the country. Additionally, the program is entering a period of strategic growth aligned with the expanding visibility of SMU Athletics and the University’s new strategic plan.
Position Expectations
Clinical professors teach a 4/4 load (12 credit hours per semester), primarily focused on high-quality instruction and student engagement at the undergraduate and/or graduate levels. Teaching responsibilities may include courses in the Bachelor’s programs in Sport Management or Sport Performance Leadership and/or the Master of Science in Sport Management program. Evening or weekend teaching may be required based on program needs. Clinical faculty are valued members of the full-time faculty and play a central role in delivering high-quality, professionally oriented curriculum.
Faculty will teach courses aligned with their expertise across the curriculum, which may include:
- Introduction to Sport Management
- Sport Communication
- Sport Public Relations
- Sport Marketing
- Facility and Event Management
- Sport Law
- Sport Analytics
- Organizational Behavior in Sport
- Cultural Intelligence in Sport and Health
- Coaching and Leadership
- Technology and Sport
Clinical faculty are expected to maintain regular office hours, provide meaningful mentorship to students, and sustain an accessible, student-centered presence on campus. Faculty will participate in service appropriate for a teaching-focused appointment and contribute to the continued success and stability of this growing program.
For additional information about the department and faculty, visit https://www.smu.edu/apsm.
Qualifications
- A doctoral degree in sport management or a related field is preferred. A master's degree in sport management or a related field (e.g. sport administration, business, education, law, economics, or related disciplines) and significant relevant professional experience will also be considered.
- Demonstrated effectiveness in teaching undergraduate and/or graduate sport management courses (online or in-person) is preferred.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills and a demonstrated commitment to student engagement and success.
Application Process
Candidates should submit their application materials through the Interfolio online system: https://apply.interfolio.com/182206. Application materials should include the following items.
- a letter of application highlighting the candidate’s qualifications,
- curriculum vitae,
- teaching philosophy, and
- full names and email addresses of three recommenders.
To ensure full consideration for the position, applications must be submitted by March 20, 2026. The search committee will continue to accept applications until the position is filled. Hiring is contingent upon the satisfactory completion of a background check.
The start date for these positions is August 2026. Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. Please contact Dr. Bo Li for questions about the search submission process, the department, or the position at bnli@smu.edu.
Applicants who previously applied to earlier postings for these positions are encouraged to reapply with a cover letter that specifically addresses the qualifications and responsibilities outlined in the current job description.
About SMU
SMU is a nationally ranked, private, non-sectarian research institution located in one of the nation’s fastest-growing metropolitan areas. Researchers are part of an inclusive and intellectually vibrant community of internationally recognized scholars across the humanities, social sciences, mathematical sciences, engineering, and business. SMU offers excellent benefits including full same-sex domestic partner benefits. To learn more about the rich cultural environment of SMU, visit: http://smu.edu. The City of Dallas is one of the nation’s most cosmopolitan commercial and cultural centers, and the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex is the fourth largest in the US., and SMU at http://www.smu.edu. Our beautifully shaded campus of Georgian-Revival-inspired architecture is situated in the heart of Dallas. The Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex, a culturally rich arts and global business center, is home to many universities, arts organizations, and Fortune 500 corporations. Visit www.dallaschamber.org. Of note, in 2023 the Sport Business Journal named Dallas the number one sports business city in the U.S. https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Journal/Issues/2023/03/20/In-Depth/best-sports-business-cities-dallas.aspx
SMU’s Simmons School of Education and Human Development promotes academic excellence through preparing exemplary professionals, engaging in research, securing significant external grants and contracts, and collaborating with community partners. Founded in 2005, Simmons offers undergraduate and graduate degrees across five diverse academic departments: Applied Physiology and Sport Management, Counseling, Education Policy and Leadership, Human-Centered Interdisciplinary Studies, and Teaching and Learning.
SMU is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression.
Department of Counseling
Position (1): Clinical Assistant Professor and Assistant Director of Clinical Services
Position Number: #53649
The Department of Counseling within the SMU Simmons School seeks a full-time Clinical Assistant Professor who will also serve as the Assistant Director of Clinical Services (position #53649). This is a non-tenure-track (NTT) position with an initial one-year appointment beginning August 2026, renewable annually thereafter.
Responsibilities
- Provide clinic administration and day-to-day operational support of a non-profit academic training clinic associated with the Department of Counseling
- Provide developmentally appropriate clinical supervision of counselors-in-training
- Exercise strong clinical judgment to manage client situations, prioritizing client care while also supporting the growth and development of counselors-in-training
- Teach a reduced course load with a focus on clinical classes that support the training clinic operations, infusing culturally sustaining content and strategies in keeping with CACREP standards
- Provide academic (individual and group) advising as assigned
- Support departmental program projects and events as needed
- Provide service to the School and University as assigned
Required Qualifications
- A doctoral degree in Counselor Education or a related
- A minimum of three years of clinical experience in an academic clinical setting or comparable mental health counseling experience in a private practice, non-profit or hospital setting
- Strong clinical supervision experience with generalist ability to supervise counselors in training who are providing clinical services to children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families across a variety of presenting concerns
- Teaching experience in counseling-related courses, including clinical courses and counseling core curriculum
Preferred Qualifications
- Licensed clinical supervisor credential or equivalent, strongly preferred
- A doctoral degree in Counselor Education (PhD or EdD from a CACREP-accredited program)
- Demonstrated identity as a counselor educator and clinician as evidenced by sustained participation in professional activities, scholarly activities, and service to the profession
Application Process
The following documents are required to be considered for the position.
- Cover letter outlining relevant clinical experience, clinical supervision experience, teaching, scholarship, and professional service as well as research experience, if applicable.
- Curriculum Vitae
- Three references, including their names, affiliations, and contact information. References will only be contacted if the candidate advances to the on-campus interview stage.
All materials must be submitted through Interfolio at https://apply.interfolio.com/170780 and reference Position Number 53649. For questions about the search process, contact Kathy Silva at ksilva@smu.edu. For questions about the department or position, contact Dr. Tara Godhwani, Search Committee Chair, at tgodhwani@smu.edu.
Hiring is contingent upon the satisfactory completion of a background check. The start date for the position is August 2026. Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience.
About the Department of Counseling
The Department of Counseling is a part of the Annette Caldwell Simmons School of Education and Human Development at SMU and is ranked nationally among the top 5 best-value schools (https://www.bestvalueschools.org/masters-in-counseling/). The Program maintains approximately 300 graduate students, all of whom participate in a capstone experience that involves a practicum in the state-of-the-art SMU Center for Family Counseling and clinical internships in community sites. The program offers three CACREP-accredited Specialties: Clinical Mental Health; Marriage, Couple & Family; and School Counseling. The Center for Family Counseling, the program’s on-campus clinic, offers services to the community and serves as a practica site for students prior to their clinical internships. With an emphasis on teaching, faculty work collaboratively to sustain a nurturing and innovative environment focused on embracing diversity, pluralism, and advocacy, which are hallmarks of the program and have contributed to its ongoing success. Faculty are committed to the well-being and success of students and each other.
SMU is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression.
Department of Teaching and Learning
All positions CLOSED.
About the Department of Teaching and Learning
The SMU Simmons School of Education and Human Development is nationally ranked among the top 50 graduate schools of education in the United States and is the #1 private graduate education school in the Southwest. The Simmons School Teaching and Learning department offers a B.S. in Educational Studies, an M.Ed., a Master of Bilingual Education, an online M.S. in the Learning Sciences as well as specializations in the Science of Reading, Learning Therapy, STEM, mathematics, special education, bilingual education, and ESL. The department is committed to building a culturally diverse faculty dedicated to teaching and working in a multicultural environment and strongly encourages applications from women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans. The Teaching and Learning faculty are committed to supporting educators within the DFW area and at the state, national, and international levels. SMU offers excellent benefits including full same-sex domestic partner benefits. Explore SMU at http://www.smu.edu.
SMU is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression.
Department of Human-Centered Interdisciplinary Studies
No positions available at present.
The Human-Centered Interdisciplinary Studies department offers a wide range of interdisciplinary, skills-based master’s, doctoral, and certificate programs for professionals, community leaders, and individuals. Students in this vibrant community represent a range of professional and community backgrounds and educational goals. The department offers a Master of Arts in Dispute Resolution, Master of Liberal Studies, Doctor of Liberal Studies, Graduate Certificate in Dispute Resolution, Executive Coaching Concentration, Healthcare Collaboration and Conflict Engagement Certificate, and Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study. Adjunct positions can be found at https://www.smu.edu/simmons/about-us/job-openings/adjunct-positions.
About the Simmons School, SMU, and the City of Dallas
The Simmons School of Education & Human Development
Founded in 2005, SMU’s Simmons School of Education and Human Development is ranked among the top 11 private graduate schools of education in the United States and among the top 3 public and private graduate schools of education in Texas. Simmons offers undergraduate and graduate programs across five academic departments, including Applied Physiology and Sport Management, Counseling, Education Policy and Leadership, Human-Centered Interdisciplinary Studies, and Teaching and Learning. In addition, Simmons is home to three school-level centers: The Center on Research and Evaluation, The Budd Center: Involving Communities in Education, and College Access. Comprised of two state-of-the-art academic buildings, the Simmons School has over 80,000 sq. feet of office and classroom spaces, two applied physiology labs, and a 21st-century teacher-development studio. The Simmons School promotes excellence by engaging in research, securing significant external grants and contracts, preparing exemplary professionals, and collaborating with community partners. The Simmons School of Education & Human Development is a catalyst for discovery and innovation that transforms social conditions and advances human potential through excellence in research, teaching, and community outreach. Learn out more at https://www.smu.edu/Simmons.
SMU: The University
SMU is a nationally ranked, private, non-sectarian university of more than 12,000 students enrolled in undergraduate, graduate and professional programs through seven schools – Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences, Cox School of Business, Meadow School of the Arts, Lyle School of Engineering, Perkins School of Theology, Dedman School of Law, and Simmons School of Education and Human Development.
The beautifully shaded campus of Georgian-Revival-inspired architecture is situated in the heart of Dallas and central to the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex, which is a culturally rich arts and global business center that is home to many universities, arts organizations, and Fortune 500 corporations. Of note, the Sport Business Journal named Dallas the number one sports business city in the U.S. in 2023 (https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Journal/Issues/2023/03/20/In-Depth/best-sports-business-cities-dallas.aspx).
Classified as an R-1 institution, SMU’s researchers are part of an inclusive and intellectually vibrant community of internationally recognized scholars across the humanities, social sciences, mathematical sciences, engineering, education, and business. SMU offers excellent benefits including full same-sex domestic partner benefits. Explore SMU at http://www.smu.edu.
The City of Dallas
The City of Dallas is one of the nation’s most cosmopolitan, commercial, and cultural centers, and the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex is the fourth largest in the US. Many publicly traded corporations are headquartered in DFW, with nine Fortune 500 companies based within Dallas alone. Visit https://www.dallaschamber.org. The DFW airport is one of the busiest airports in the world, and travel to nearly anywhere in the world is extremely convenient, often by direct flight. Dallas’ quality of life is exceptional, with a relatively low cost of living and a variety of housing options from high-rise urban apartments to country-style single-family homes. A full range of professional sports teams, popular-to-highbrow music venues, a lively and innovative restaurant scene, numerous recreational opportunities, festivals, and more make Dallas a city of choice for many students, academicians, professionals, and families.
Dallas boasts the nation’s largest urban arts district, which comprises world-class museums and a luminous cluster of performing arts spaces, highlighted by the Winspear Opera House that was described by Opera magazine as America’s finest. With the Trinity River, White Rock Lake, almost 400 parks, and over 200 miles of urban hiking and biking trails, the city provides abundant opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. The city has been named one of the Greenest Cities in the world. SMU students and faculty utilize the Dallas metropolitan area as an extension of the classroom, characterized by engaged learning projects and corporate and community partnerships. To learn more about the rich culture of Dallas, visit https://www.visitdallas.com/.
SMU will not discriminate in any employment practice, education program, education activity, or admissions on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status. SMU's commitment to equal opportunity includes nondiscrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity and expression. The Executive Director for Access and Equity/Title IX1 Coordinator is designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies, including the prohibition of sex discrimination under Title IX. The Executive Director/Title IX Coordinator may be reached at the Perkins Administration Building, Room 204, 6425 Boaz Lane, Dallas, TX 75205, 214-768-3601, accessequity@smu.edu. Inquiries regarding the application of Title IX may also be directed to the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights of the U.S. Department of Education.