Master of Arts in Counseling Program Director

Position Number: 1.2.18.1      Date: February 19, 2026

Position Title: Master of Arts in Counseling Program Director / Open Rank Faculty Position 

Department: Academics      Division: Professional Studies

Number of hours per week for which this position is budgeted: 40

Number of months per year for which this position is budgeted: 12

Reports to: Vice President of Academic Administration

Start Date: July 1, 2026     FSLA Requirement: Exempt

 

POSITION SUMMARY

The Master of Arts in Counseling (MACO) Program Director provides academic, administrative, and spiritual leadership for Hannibal-LaGrange University’s online graduate counseling program. This full-time, 12-month position includes faculty appointment at an open rank in Christian Counseling and carries primary responsibility for program development, enrollment growth, accreditation preparation and maintenance, curriculum oversight, faculty recruitment, and maintaining and fostering external partnerships.

The Director will lead the MACO program toward compliance with Missouri and Illinois licensure standards, develop a system for clinical partnerships in our region, and guide the program’s strategic development toward CACREP accreditation. As a faculty member, the Director will teach core counseling courses, mentor students, supervise clinical experiences as appropriate, and model integration of Christian faith with professional counseling practice.

Employee must possess a vibrant, personal Christian faith including a clear testimony of Christian conversion and be actively involved in an evangelical, preferably Southern Baptist, church.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Program Leadership and Administration
    • Provide overall leadership for the MACO program, including strategic planning, assessment, and continuous improvement
    • Oversee program operations, policies, and procedures
    • Lead curriculum design and revision to ensure alignment with Missouri and Illinois licensure requirements
    • Guide preparation for CACREP accreditation, including standards alignment and documentation
  • Accreditation and Licensure
    • Serve as primary leader for CACREP research, preparation, and application
    • Ensure curriculum, faculty qualifications, and clinical hours meet accreditation and licensure standards
    • Monitor changes in state licensure requirements and recommend updates as needed
  • Faculty Leadership
    • Teach core graduate counseling courses in the MACO program
    • Teach undergraduate psychology and counseling courses
    • Ensure faculty qualifications align with CACREP and institutional standards
  • Student Recruitment and Enrollment Growth
    • Collaborate with admissions and marketing to promote the MACO program
    • Represent the program at conferences and recruitment events in Missouri and Western Illinois
  • Clinical Partnerships
    • Develop and expand clinical placement networks in Northeast Missouri and Illinois.
    • Cultivate relationships with community mental health agencies, churches, and counseling organizations
  • Faith Integration and Mentorship
    • Model integration of Christian faith, ethical practice, and professional counseling standards
    • Mentor students academically, spiritually, and professionally
  • Other duties as assigned 

DEPARTMENTAL RELATIONSHIPS

  • Work closely with the Online & Graduate Studies Department, Admissions, Marketing, Clinical Partners, and Academic Administration

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES 

  • Knowledge of counselor education, counseling theory, and clinical practice
  • Understanding of CACREP standards and licensure requirements
  • Strong leadership, organizational, and communication skills
  • Commitment to Christian faith integration in counseling education

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND TRAINING

  • Required:
    • Earned doctoral degree in Counseling, Counselor Education, or related field
      • Doctoral candidates may be considered with clinical experience
    • Eligibility for counseling licensure in Missouri and/or Illinois
    • Experience teaching undergraduate and/or graduate-level counseling courses
  • Preferred:
    • Experience directing or coordinating a counseling program
    • Familiarity with CACREP accreditation processes
    • Clinical counseling experience and online teaching experience

To apply, please submit an application, including a cover here. 

Disclaimer

* This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; an employee will also perform other reasonably related job responsibilities as assigned by immediate supervisor and/or other management as required. HLGU reserves the right to revise or change job duties, required skills, or qualifications as the need arises. This job description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment. The aforementioned job requirements are subject to change to reasonably accommodate qualified disabled individuals.